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 to 30 ft tall and 20 to 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 to 30 ft tall and 20 to 30 ft wide
Photos
- Photo 1: no rights reserved
- Photo 2: (c) alfanoar, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by alfanoar
- Photo 3: (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman
- Photo 4: Fepup, no known copyright restrictions (public domain)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4 to 8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade, dappled sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Tolerates
- Dry shade under conifers
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 20 to 30 ft tall and 20 to 30 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~30 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Medium
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
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.
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 to 30 ft tall and 20 to 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 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 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.
