American Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana ‘Fire Belle’
American Hornbeam may be a slow-growing understory tree, but ‘Fire Belle’ delivers right away with a firework-show of orange, red, and yellow fall foliage on an evenly rounded canopy. As the tree matures, the blue-gray bark grows in ridges that resemble flexing muscles, which is why Hornbeam is also often called Musclewood. This cultivar is truly the Belle of the ball during the fall season and is a fantastic addition to woodland edges, shady gardens, streetside spaces, or as a sunny lawn specimen.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade; moist soil; suitable for heavy, clay soils
Size: 20′ – 25′ tall, 15′ – 20′ spread
Zone: 5 – 9
Wildlife Value: Larval host to dozens butterfly and moth species, including the American Dagger Moth; nutlets provide food for various wildlife in autumn
