American Hornbeam
American Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana
Plant Details:
Plant type: Tree | Straight native species
Sun: Part shade to shade
Soil moisture: Medium to wet
Mature size: 20–35 ft. tall × 20–35 ft. wide
Bloom time: March–April
Growth rate: Slow
Container size: 3 gallon pot
Estimated size at pickup in feet (if available): 4-5
Great For
• Woodland garden or shaded yard
• Streambank or moist low area
• Naturalized understory planting
Ecological Benefits
• Seeds and buds feed birds and mammals, while the dense branching provides cover. The foliage supports native butterfly caterpillars.
Why We Recommend It
American Hornbeam is an excellent small native tree for shaded, moist landscapes where many flowering ornamentals are not well suited. Its smooth, fluted “musclewood” trunk, graceful branching, and colorful fall foliage add quiet four-season interest. Seeds and buds feed wildlife, and the leaves support Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Red-spotted Purple caterpillars. We recommend it for woodland gardens, streambanks, and naturalized understory areas rather than hot, dry, compacted, or highly exposed sites.
Good to Know
• Excellent native tree for shady sites
• Attractive fluted bark
• Colorful fall foliage
Care/behavior information: Provide consistent moisture during establishment. It is best planted young because established trees can be difficult to transplant.
Warning or placement concerns (if applicable): Not well suited to hot, dry, compacted, or exposed sites.
Notable wildlife detail (if applicable): Host plant for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Red-spotted Purple butterflies.
Deer resistant (if applicable):
Rabbit resistant (if applicable):
Special tolerances: Clay soil; wet soil; black walnut
Fall 2026 Plant Pickup
This is a preorder item and will not be available until our fall pickup event. Plants are not shipped.
Pickup Dates
Thursday, October 1, 2026 |11:00 AM–6:00 PM in Noblesville, IN
Friday, October 2, 2026 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM in Noblesville, IN
Pickup Location
Hamilton County Fairgrounds in Noblesville, Indiana. More info will be shared via email as the pick-up dates approach.
Please plan to pick up your order during one of these scheduled times. Plants are living material and cannot be held beyond the pickup event unless prior arrangements have been made.
Plant Guarantee
We guarantee that you will receive a healthy plant at pickup. Because survival depends on planting methods, weather, site conditions, and ongoing care, we cannot offer refunds or guarantees after pickup. Height estimates are approximate and not guaranteed. Remember that you're investing in a healthy root system—the foundation of long-term success—not simply above-ground height.
Photos courtesy of Arbor Day Foundation and/or Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder.
Plant Natives T Shirt
Only a few left!
Design is hand drawn by SWCD intern, Casey Venable, and features native flowers and a Monarch butterfly. The back has the Hamilton County Invasives Partnership logo and Wendell Berry quote, "The Earth is what we all have in common."
Proceeds support HIP. Orders will be shipped within 3 business days or pick up (FREE) during business hours in our office in Noblesville.
52% cotton, 48% polyester
Grow Native Plants Hat
Only a few left!
Take the "Grow Native Plants" beauty and message with you where ever you go with our embroidered cap.
Pick up (FREE) from our Noblesville, Indiana office or shipping available (extra cost).
Featured species:
- Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
- Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
- New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
- Royal Catchfly (Silene regia)
- Great White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)
- Gray-headed Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)
- Purple Coneflower(Echinacea purpurea)
Cap details:
Adjustable; Hat Sizes: 6 5/8 - 7 3/8
- 100% cotton pigment dyed twill
- Self-fabric strap with adjustable brass snap buckle and sewn grommet
- Six-panel construction
- Self-fabric sweatband
Grow Native Plants Bucket Hat
Take the "Grow Native Plants" beauty and message with you where ever you go with our embroidered bucket hat. Two sizes available S/M and L/XL.
Pick up (FREE) from our Noblesville, Indiana office or shipping available (extra cost).
Featured species:
- Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
- Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
- New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
- Royal Catchfly (Silene regia)
- Great White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)
- Gray-headed Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)
- Purple Coneflower(Echinacea purpurea)
Cap details:
- 100% polyester microfiber
- Unstructured
- 3" brim
- Fixed adjustable shock cord
- Moisture-wicking sweatband
- Water repellent finish
- UPF 30+ sun protection
Grow Native Plants decal set (free shipping)
Show your love for conservation with this set of four die-cut vinyl stickers. These durable stickers are perfect for water bottles, laptops, notebooks, coolers, and more.
Each set includes four different conservation-themed designs. Sticker sizes vary, with the largest measuring approximately 3 inches.
Set includes:
• Four die-cut vinyl stickers
- Ask me about invasive plants
- Wanna talk about native plants? (Purple passionflower (Passiflora incarnata))
- I got 99 problems but bradford pear ain't one
- Grow Native Plants (Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum), New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), Royal Catchfly (Silene regia), Great White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), Gray-headed Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata), Purple Coneflower(Echinacea purpurea)
• Durable, weather-resistant material
• Shipped by regular mail
Price includes shipping.
Decals are not available individually at this time.