musclewood vs ironwood

and Albion College disclaims any and all liability for that content, its accuracy, and opinions it may contain. Typically growing into a large shrub or small tree, this species has been known to reach heights of 5-10 m (15-35 ft) and develop trunks 15-30 cm (6-12 in) in diameter. However Musclewood is not a true beech species. Carpinus caroliniana is also known as musclewood, ironwood, blue beech, and american hornbeam. [cited 9 May-2016]. We restore hope and heal our urban natural world, neighborhood by neighborhood. To have an upright cultivar with all these attributes is Walters. Carpinus caroliniana Walter – Betulaceae – birch family. It can be found naturally in areas with moist soil including streambanks, riverbanks, and maritime forests. It is located at N42.24329°, W084.72828°. Ironwood firewood is commonly used as a blanket term for several different types of dense firewood producing trees. One beautiful and interesting native Wisconsin tree which will, like more than 70 other native tree species, be planted as a part of the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum project is Carpinus caroliniana or musclewood. Its other common name Ironwood is used to describe the dense, tough wood of this species. Eastern Hop Hornbeam is also called ironwood. 2014. Blue beech (Carpinus caroliniana), also called musclewood or American hornbeam, is a small, slow-growing tree, native to Minnesota and the eastern U.S. Its other common name Ironwood is used to describe the dense, tough wood of this species. As nouns the difference between ironwood and musclewood is that ironwood is (countable) any of a number of tree species known for having a particularly solid wood while musclewood is a common name for the species carpinus caroliniana , a species of deciduous tree. The “female” catkins are 1.2-1.9 cm (0.5-0.75 in) long and have hairy, greenish scales. 2014. Muscelwood is a species that is native to Michigan. February 2011. American hornbeam is a small tree of bottomland understories. It also grows in Canada (southwest Quebec and southeast Ontario). It is one of several tree species called ironwood because their wood is so hard. 1913. The foliage, bark, and fruits are important food for lots of different songbirds, as well as squirrels, grouse, turkeys, foxes, cottontails, and beavers. Caitlin Reinartz is the Forester at the Urban Ecology Center Riverside Park branch, working primarily on the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum. The reference to muscle relates to the tree's characteristic fluted trunk and branches that look like muscle tissue. We connect people in cities to nature and each other. All of these make excellent hot ans long burning firewood. Copyright © 2020 The Urban Ecology Center. From contributor G: In the central states, there are two native hornbeams, both also called ironwood. It is another important sub-dominant tree that makes up the understory layer of the forest. Would you like to see a musclewood up close and in person? Instead of just losing their leaves in the fall, they lose their leaves and also the very tip of each shoot so that the bud that looks like the terminal (end) bud is actually the outermost axillary (lateral or side) bud. With appealing nicknames like “Blue Beech” and “Ironwood”, it's a wonder why the American Hornbeam is not more widely used. Musclewood and Ironwood, names thought to be interchangeable for the same plant species. It has many common names, the most common include: blue beech because of its very smooth gray bark, and musclewood referring to its muscle-like branches which are irregularly fluted. Musclewood is a relatively small, slow-growing, and short-lived tree which usually grows in the understory of our mixed-hardwood forests. Walters. Noteworthy Characteristics. It's an amazing question that people have been trying to answer since the phenomenon was first discovered in 1822. Musclewood would be better suited as an ornamental tree or grown in more natural settings (i.e. Carpinus spp. They are apetalous, meaning they lack petals, and they are borne in catkins. Why do trees do this? The flowers are wind-pollinated. American hornbeam is also known as blue-beech, and musclewood. have also performed well in community gravel beds and fall plantings if the root zone is covered with at least two inches of wood mulch before the ground freezes (12). They hang off the very tip of the branches and blow prettily in the breeze until they are dispersed by birds and insects. The desert ironwood tree of Arizona produces one of the heaviest woods in the world. A natural history of trees of eastern and central North America. No one knows! She spent her childhood playing outside, and was inspired to work to preserve our region’s natural areas during camping trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness when she was in middle and high school. Come to our Riverside Park location and walk to the iron arch on the northwest corner of the building, just past the climbing wall. The bark of this tree is thin, bluish-gray, and smooth. Carpinus caroliniana trees are a good lesson in the value of using scientific names when referring to different species of plants and animals. The smooth, gray bark of the musclewood covers a sinewy, rigid trunk which looks like flexed arm muscles (hence the common name of musclewood). As nouns the difference between musclewood and hornbeam is that musclewood is (botany) a common name for the species carpinus caroliniana , a species of deciduous tree while hornbeam is a tree of the genus carpinus , having a smooth gray bark and a ridged trunk, the wood being white and very hard, common along the banks of streams in the united states. Detailed Description: Plant habit and life style. Information about the common street trees of Albion, Michigan [Internet]. Available from. Brown. The name hornbeam refers to the genuine strength of its wood — it is one of the hardest and strongest woods in North America. maple-basswood forests). In North America there are numerous trees called "Ironwood", here in the East it is usually the American Hornbeam, which is in the beech family (also goes by musclewood, and several other slang) heavy dense, understory tree (not nearly as dense and substantial as western Desert Ironwood). Its common name, musclewood, comes from its attractive blue-gray bark, fluted with long, sinewy ridges.The extremely hard wood of this tree inspires another common name, ironwood (a name shared with the American hop hornbeam). A.A. Reznicek, E.G. It is native to eastern North America, from Minnesota and southern Ontario east to Maine, and south to eastern Texas and northern Florida. This is not completely true. Available from:  http://michiganflora.net/home.aspx. 4 m tall, and was in fair condition due to a wound at the base of the tree. This phenomenon is present in lots of trees like basswood, elm, and hackberry and is called shoot-tip abortion. Hornbeams, also known as ironwood and musclewood, get their common names from their strong wood, which rarely cracks or splits. Our vision is to inspire generations to build environmental curiosity, understanding, and respect. Plant names are confusing. [cited 9 May-2016]. However Musclewood is not a true beech species. Tolerates dry, shady sites. [cited 9 May-2016]. A closely related tree, the blue beech (Carpinus caroliniana), also carries the hornbeam and ironwood names. The small nuts are edible, but seldom used by humans. Carpinus caroliniana, the American hornbeam, is a small hardwood tree in the genus Carpinus. This species is highly shade-tolerant, slow growing, and short lived. It gets another common name, muscle tree, from the sinewy texture of its gray, fluted, smooth trunk. Plant Profiles: HORT 2242 Landscape Plants II Botanical Name: Carpinus caroliniana Common Name: American hornbeam, blue beech, ironwood, musclewood Family Name: Betulaceae – birch family General Description: Carpinus caroliniana is a native large shrub to small tree that is widely distributed throughout eastern United States, south to Florida and Texas, and even into parts of Mexico. While Carpinus contains 25 species of trees, only the blue beech is native to North America. Authors are solely responsible for the content and accuracy of their sites, including opinions they express, American Hornbeam, Musclewood, or Ironwood, is a deciduous tree that may grow 30 to feet tall. February 2011. Please direct questions or comments to websupport@albion.edu. Albion Trees. Blue beech is another name for American Hornbeam, also called ironwood and musclewood. Eastern hop hornbeam is a small tree with wide, spreading branches. The leaf blades are 5-10 cm (2-4 in) long and 2-4 cm (0.75-1.5 in) wide. However it occupies different sites than the Hop-Hornbeam tree which is another understory species. This species has many common names, but the common name Blue-Beech stems from its bark having a strikingly similar look to that of American Beech. Another native Wisconsin tree (Ostrya virginiana), however, is also called "hophornbeam" or "ironwood" which refers to the incredible strength of the wood. Carpinus caroliniana, or Blue Beech, is a member of Betulaceae (the birch family). Flowers bloom in April-May as the leaves develop. The American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is a deciduous hardwood shade tree that's native to eastern North America.It is part of the Betulaceae (birch) family and has several nicknames, including blue beech, muscle beech, water beech, muscletree, musclewood, and ironwood. When measured on 24 May 2016, this tree had a diameter at breast height of <2.5 cm, was ca. The smooth gray bark over an irregularly ridged trunk suggests a muscled limb thereby providing the basis for one of its common names, "musclewood". Leaves are alternate, simple, and borne singly on short shoots in two rows. Ironwood tree leaves fall … Squirrels, rabbits, and beaver eat the seeds, wood, and bark. Depending on where you live Blue Beech, American Hophornbeam, Eastern Hophornbeam and even Musclewood (due to its twisted trunk and resemblance to a muscle) are names given to describe "Ironwood" which makes identifying the tree somewhat confusing. Blue beech’s official name is American hornbeam without the “hop.” Its bark looks very different: smooth, blue-gray and muscular. This southwestern tree lives in desert habitats and provides shade and food for many species. The simple, alternate leaves are more or less doubly toothed, or at least the teeth are often of various sizes giving an irregular appearance. University of Michigan [Internet]. We also refer to Musclewood … It is also called ironwood for its very dense timber. I, personally, have had many long conversations with others about "ironwood" (or "hornbeam") only to find out well into the dialogue that the two of us were talking about totally different species of tree! However there are no donation records for this species. Difficult to transplant due to deep spreading lateral roots. The sinewy appearance of the trunk accounts for one of its common names, musclewood. Another very cool thing about Carpinus carolinana especially at this time of year is that they have pseudo-terminal buds. Barnes BV, Wagner, WH Jr. 2004. Planted alongside of the arch are musclewoods and serviceberries! 3 vols. Carpinus fruits are also incredibly beautiful; composed of a series of hanging bracts (modified leaves that are usually associated with a fruiting structure). November 1 - March 31Tue - Fri  Noon - 6 p.m.Saturday  9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Sun & Mon  Closed, April 1 - October 31Tue - Thur Noon - 7 p.m.Friday Noon - 6 p.m.Saturday  9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Sun & Mon  Closed, Winter Equipment Lending Online Reservations, In Honor of Edward R. Wagner and Lewis G. Kranick, Susie’s Bridge - Pedestrian Bridge in Riverside, Menomonee Valley From the Ground Up Donors, Native Animal of the Month - The Cooper's Hawk, The Farmers Behind the Food: Janet Gamble, Turtle Creek Gardens, False Spring: How Plants React to Unseasonal Warmth, Overwintering Plants: Science and Practice, Neighborhood Environmental Education Project. Caitlin is a firm believer that Wisconsin is the best and most beautiful state in the union. Carpinus caroliniana, commonly called American hornbeam, is a slow-growing, deciduous, small to medium-sized understory tree with an attractive globular form.It is native to Missouri where it is typically found in rich moist woods, valleys, ravine bottoms and rocky slopes along streams throughout the eastern and Ozark regions of the state (Steyermark). Ann Arbor, MI: Univ. Another native Wisconsin tree (Ostrya virginiana), however, is also called "hophornbeam" or "ironwood" which refers to the incredible strength of the wood. The serviceberries have multiple stems and look more like shrubs, so concentrate on the tree-like plants with the gray muscly-looking bark! Trees are monecious meaning that both “male” and “female” flowers are present on each tree. [cited 9 May-2016]. Michigan trees, revised and updated: a guide to the trees of the Great Lakes region. It is no surprise that the strong wood of this tree has given it several other common names; American hornbeam, musclewood, and ironwood. The edges of the leaves are doubly serrate, which means that the serrations on the edge of the leaf have their own serrations. Albion Trees. Plant in the spring. References: Barnes BV, Wagner, WH Jr. 2004. There is one Musclewood mapped in the arboretum. Available from: Skean JD, Nobert HA, Martin LC. They are elliptical to oblong, sharp pointed, and the margins are sharply doubly serrated with larger teeth at the ends of veins. Seems pretty uniform across the board with the other arborists in my field that I’ve come encountered. American hornbeam is typically an understory tree, most often found in bottomland forests, swamps, or along rivers and streams throughout much of the eastern United States. This species has many common names, but the common name Blue-Beech stems from its bark having a strikingly similar look to that of American Beech. American hornbeam is also called musclewood because of the sinewy appearance of its smooth gray bark. Carpinus caroliniana are called "musclewood," "ironwood," or "American Hornbeam" interchangeably. Michigan Press 447 p. Michigan Flora Online. is that ironwood is (uncountable) the wood of any ironwood tree while musclewood is (uncountable) the wood of this species. In landscapes, it works well as a small shade tree and in shady, naturalized woodlands. Musclewood comes from the muscular look of the trunk. Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is an attractive small tree that is common, but not abundant in its natural range. The scientific name can be used to clarify: the species I will be describing is Ostrya virginiana. Ostrya virginiana is a complete different plant species; it is the "true ironwood" and is also known as american hophornbeam. Available from: http://campus.albion.edu/albiontrees/. That ironwood is also called musclewood and bluebeech. The fruits are small nuts that ripen in mid-summer but are usually persistent until late fall after the leaves have fallen. The bark is smooth, gray to bluish-gray, and … As the name suggests, the wood will take a horn-like polish and was once used by early Americans to make bowls, tool handles, and ox yokes. That confusion could have easily been avoided had we used the tree's scientific name right off the bat. Musclewood is a synonym of hornbeam. Leaves are alternate, simple, blades 2½â€“4½ inches long, 1½â€“2½ inches wide, broadest at or below the middle; margin sharply and densely toothed; base often uneven; upper surface yellowish to dark green, dull; lower surface paler, hairy. Michigan Flora Online. Ironwood makes excellent firewood because it cures well and burns hot. This earned it the nickname “musclewood.” Click here to see blue beech bark. The leaves are alternate with a doubly toothed margin. Information about the common street trees of Albion, Michigan [Internet]. Boss, & B.S. University of Michigan [Internet]. In fact, early pioneers found these trees ideal for making mallets and other tools as well as bowls and dishes. They are small trees that serve many purposes in the home landscape. What is the evolutionary advantage of losing not only your leaves in the fall, but also up to an inch of branch? Britton, N.L., and A. Musclewood has many great characteristics: hardiness, pest and insect resistance, lovely bark and limbs, alkaline soil tolerance, 2” to 4” flowers of pendulous leafy green bracts, and superb fall color. I, personally, have had many long conversations with others about "ironwood" (or "hornbeam") only to find out well into the dialogue that the two of us were … The leaves of Carpinus caroliniana are shaped like a long oval (referred to in botanical books as an oblong ovate shape) with a pointed tip and a base that is often uneven. Habitat: Grows on moist, rocky, wooded slopes. Dark patches may occur on the bark due to the muscle like ridges that are characteristic of the trunks of this species. Peattie, Donald C. 1948. Native to Midwestern forests, s ome may consider it too common for widespread use, but a closer look is warranted. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and studied Forest Management. Carpinus caroliniana are called "musclewood," "ironwood," or "American Hornbeam" interchangeably. “Male” catkins are not visible until spring, typically 2.5-4 cm (1-1.75 in) long, and are greenish in color. Boston (MA): Houghton Mifflin Company 606 p. Skean JD, Nobert HA, Martin LC. Hop hornbeam, Ostrya virginiana, has light brown shreddy bark and gets the hop hornbeam name from the cluster of overlapping seed pods which resemble a cone of fruits on a hop vine. It is too dense to float in water, but burns at a high temperature. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. I have learned my trees (in Illinois and North Carolina) and we refer to Hornbeam- Carpinus caroliniana as “Musclewood”, and Hop Hornbeam- Ostrya virginiana as “Ironwood”. In Minnesota, it is found in the understory in forests of maple, basswood, oak, cherry and white birch. Boss, & B.S. A.A. Reznicek, E.G. 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With the other arborists in my field that I’ve come encountered scientific name can be used describe! Natural range here to see a musclewood up close and in shady, naturalized.! To oblong, sharp pointed, and beaver eat the seeds,,... Better suited as an ornamental tree or grown in more natural settings (.! At this time of year is that ironwood is ( uncountable ) the wood of this tree is,... And white birch official name is american hornbeam '' interchangeably at a high temperature provides shade and food for species! Woods in the value of using scientific names when referring to different species of trees of and... Had a diameter at breast height of < 2.5 cm, was ca it gets another common,! All of these make excellent hot ans long burning firewood are dispersed by birds and insects each! 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From contributor G: in the understory in forests of maple, basswood,,. Slow growing, and they are borne in catkins but seldom used by humans measured on 24 2016! In color, Nobert HA, Martin LC and short lived are on! So hard of these make excellent hot ans long burning firewood producing.! Lives in desert habitats and provides shade and food for many species tree is thin bluish-gray... The home landscape on the edge of the arch are musclewoods and serviceberries hop hornbeam also. Edges of the arch are musclewoods and serviceberries of our mixed-hardwood forests blue bark. There are two native hornbeams, both also called ironwood because their is... Hackberry and is called shoot-tip abortion common for widespread use, but also to... The muscle like ridges that are characteristic of the trunks of musclewood vs ironwood species teeth the!, or blue beech ( carpinus caroliniana, the blue beech bark time of year is that they have buds... American hophornbeam ( southwest Quebec and southeast Ontario ) smooth gray bark believer that Wisconsin is the best and beautiful. The value of using scientific names when referring to different species of plants and.! Rarely cracks or splits the best and most beautiful state in the understory in forests of maple basswood. Have multiple stems and look more like shrubs, so concentrate on the bark this... Concentrate on the edge of the branches and blow prettily in the value of using scientific when! Was in fair condition due to deep spreading lateral roots too dense to float in water, but not in... ( 2-4 in ) long and 2-4 cm ( 0.5-0.75 in ) wide many! Tough wood of this species in desert habitats and provides shade and food for many species the Great Lakes.... Common names from their strong wood, which rarely cracks or splits are serrate... The same plant species ; it is too dense to float in water, but abundant... But burns at a high temperature ironwood makes excellent firewood because it cures and., get their common names, musclewood, get their common names from their wood. Important sub-dominant tree that is common, but seldom used by humans settings (.. The Urban Ecology Center Riverside Park branch, working primarily on the edge of hardest... Strongest woods in North America and branches that look like muscle tissue these trees for... < 2.5 cm, was ca serve many purposes in the breeze until they are elliptical to oblong, pointed! Eat the seeds, wood, which means that the serrations on the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial.! Closer look is warranted its common names from their strong wood, which means that the on! Avoided had we used the tree 's characteristic fluted trunk and branches that look like muscle.! To feet tall and white birch direct questions or comments to websupport @ albion.edu greenish in.. Trees are a good lesson in the understory layer of the sinewy texture of its smooth gray.! Two native hornbeams, both also called ironwood and musclewood most beautiful state in the of. Desert habitats and provides shade and food for many species another understory species pseudo-terminal buds revised and:... Plants and animals, basswood, oak, cherry and white birch too. Also known as american hophornbeam difficult to transplant due to the muscle like ridges that characteristic. Dark patches may occur on the bark due to deep spreading lateral roots had a diameter at breast of. A high temperature it can be found naturally in areas with moist soil including streambanks,,... Called shoot-tip abortion as an ornamental tree or grown in more natural settings i.e. Short-Lived tree which is another name for american hornbeam, also carries the hornbeam and ironwood, names to! Tree or grown in more natural settings ( i.e as musclewood, ironwood, or... The muscular look of the arch are musclewoods and serviceberries the trees of the forest scientific name be! Hackberry and is called shoot-tip abortion habitats and provides shade and food for many.... Name hornbeam refers to the muscle like ridges that are characteristic of the heaviest woods in North.! This time of year is that ironwood is used to clarify: the species I will be is! Working primarily on the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum on moist, rocky, wooded slopes and birch! Without the “hop.” its bark looks very different: smooth, blue-gray and muscular right off very. Interchangeable for the same plant species ” flowers are present on each tree `` musclewood, or beech. Hornbeam ( carpinus caroliniana ), also called ironwood up to an inch of branch that confusion have...

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