Carpinus caroliniana

American Hornbeam, Ironwood, Musclewood

[ click on any image below to see larger version ]

Family: Betulaceae

Mid-Atlantic bloom time: March - April
Mid-Atlantic fruit ripe: September - October

American Hornbeam is most easily recognized by its muscular looking trunk (hence the nickname "Musclewood").

Unfortunately, the common names "American Hornbeam" and "Ironwood" are confusingly similar to those of the somewhat related American Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), which is also called Ironwood. The wood from both species is strong, heavy, hard and close-graned, which made it ideal for tool handles and levers (and earning it the name "Ironwood").

20 June 2014 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA	14 June 2014 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Landmark, VA	20 June 2014 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA	20 June 2014 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA
25 June 2014 Scott's Run Nature Preserve, McLean, VA	14 June 2014 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Landmark, VA	30 March 2021 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA (flower catkin)	30 March 2021 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA (flower catkin)
30 March 2021 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA (flower catkins)	18 July 2015 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA (ripening seeds)	15 July 2015 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA (ripening seeds)	5 December 2016 Eleanor C. Lawrence Park, Centreville, VA (remaining winter seed cluster)

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