120 



AMERICAN HORNBEAM. 

 Carpinus caroliniana, Walter. 



GENUS DESCRIPTION — This genus comprises about 12 species which are confined to the 

 northern hemispherje. Only 1 species is found in America. A few of the • other species are 

 native to Europe, whil<^ most are found in northern and central Asia. 



FORM — A small tree or shrub usually attaining a height of 10-30 ft, with a diameter of 8-12 

 inches, but may reach a height of 40 ft. with a diameter of 2 feet. Trunk usually short, 

 fluted, and bearing a wide-spreading usually round-topped' crown with tough ascending branches 

 often pendulous towards the end. 



BARK — Vertically corrugated, smooth, thin, close-fitting, bluish-gray tinged with brown. See 

 Pig. 93. 



TWIGS — Slender, at first silky, hairy, and green, later smooth, shining, reddish to orange; 

 covered with scattered pale lenticels. 



BUDS — Alternate, axillary; terminal bud absent; ovate, pointed, J of an inch long, reddish- 

 brown, covered with 8-12 visible 4-ranked bud-scales. Bud-scales increase in size from the 

 base towards the apex, are longitudinally-striate and often ciliate on margins. 



LEAVES — Alternati, simple, ovate-oblong, acute at apex, doubly-serrate on margin, rounded 

 or wedge-shaped at basw, 2-4 Inches long, deep green above, paler below. 



LEAF-SCARS — Alternate, small, elevated, elliptical, with generally 3 inconspicuous bundle- 

 scars. 



FLOWERS — Appear about April with the leaves. Stamina te start to develop in fall and 

 remain over winter in the form of buds which resemble the leaf-buds, only are larger. When 

 fully developed they are drooping aments about 11 inches long. Pistillate appear as aments, 

 about S of an inch long, with bright scarlet stylos. 



FRUIT — A small corrugated nut about J of an inch long inclosed by a leaf-like, 3-lobed 

 bract which is usually serrate only on one margin of middle lobe. 



WOOD — Diffuse-porous; rays conspicuous and broad along short radii; heavy, hard, strong, 

 light brown with broad sapwood. Weighs about 45 lbs. per- cubic foot. Used for fuel, tool 

 handles, and levers. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS— The American Hornbeam, also known as the Blue 



Beech, Ironwood, and Water Beech, may be distinguished by its vertical, corrugated, bluish-gray, 

 smooth bark. The leaf-like 3-lobed bract with its corrugated nut is also characteristic. The 

 staminate catkins remain in the bud during the winter, while those of the American Hop Horn- 

 beam are developed in autumn. It resembles the American Beech, but can readily be distinguished 

 from it by its corrugated bark and the absence of the long, slender, conical^ and sharp- 

 pointed buds so characteristic of the Beech. The buds are usually downy at the apex while 

 those of the American Hop Hornbeam are smooth and slightly gummy 4|!^thin. The autumnal color 

 of the leaves is brilliant orange to deep scarlet. 



RANGE — Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Minnesota and Texas. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA— Found locally throughout the State. Sometimes rather 

 abundant and conspicuous in wet habitats. Common in Franklin, Adams, Northampton, Fulton, 

 Centre, Huntingdon, Tioga, and Union counties. 



HABITAT — Usually found in swamps and on the border of streams, whence its name Water 

 Beech. In Pennsylvania it is found in the valleys, along streams, in swamps, and in similar 

 habitats on the mountain flats and on moist fertile mountain slopes. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES — This species on account of its small size, slow growth, and 

 preference for wet locations is of little commercial importance. It cannot be recommended for for- 

 estry purposes but is attractive as an ornamental tree on account of its fluted bark, peculiar 

 branching, and the beautiful orange and scarlet autumnal coloration of its foliage. 



