American hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana
American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 20–30 ft wide, slow-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade to dappled sun. Moderate water, needs protected site.
medium water20–30 ft tall and 20–30 ft wideDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Rating
- Right spot only (FRTRL: Conditionally Recommended)
- Botanical name
- Carpinus caroliniana
- Variety / cultivar
- American hornbeam
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 20–30 ft tall and 20–30 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~30 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Medium
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade, dappled sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Tolerates
- Dry shade under conifers
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- Watch: ExposureIt wants shelter; open, windy, reflected-heat sites batter it, so tuck it against a building or a windbreak.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Frequently asked questions
- Is American hornbeam good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, American hornbeam is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- Why is American hornbeam only conditionally recommended on the Front Range?
- The main catches here: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How big does American hornbeam get?
- It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 20–30 ft wide.
- How much room does American hornbeam need?
- Give American hornbeam about 30 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does American hornbeam grow into?
- American hornbeam typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is American hornbeam hardy on the Front Range?
- American hornbeam is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does American hornbeam need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does American hornbeam grow?
- American hornbeam is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does American hornbeam live?
- American hornbeam has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is American hornbeam native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is American hornbeam deer-resistant?
- American hornbeam is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
