Carpinus caroliniana
Ironwood,
American Hornbeam
NJ Ecotype (grown from seed)
*Seedling stock expected by 2027 due to double dormancy
Deciduous hardwood understory tree; slow growing; 20-30ft tall on average, but can reach 45ft in ideal conditions
Monoecious—both male and female catkins form on the same tree; blooms early spring; leaves becomes vibrant shades of golden-yellow to orange-red in fall
Smooth, gray bark is ridged; wood is characteristically very dense and strong; leaves, twigs and stems eaten by deer, rabbits and beaver
Seeds are sought after by squirrels, foxes, and birds including ruffed grouse, turkey, evening grosbeaks, goldfinches and other songbirds; various birds feed on insects attracted to this tree including scarlet tanager, yellow-billed cuckoos, warblers, flycatchers, gnatcatchers and more
Host plant to many moths and butterflies including the Striped Hairstreak, Red-Spotted Purple and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Ironwood,
American Hornbeam
NJ Ecotype (grown from seed)
*Seedling stock expected by 2027 due to double dormancy
Deciduous hardwood understory tree; slow growing; 20-30ft tall on average, but can reach 45ft in ideal conditions
Monoecious—both male and female catkins form on the same tree; blooms early spring; leaves becomes vibrant shades of golden-yellow to orange-red in fall
Smooth, gray bark is ridged; wood is characteristically very dense and strong; leaves, twigs and stems eaten by deer, rabbits and beaver
Seeds are sought after by squirrels, foxes, and birds including ruffed grouse, turkey, evening grosbeaks, goldfinches and other songbirds; various birds feed on insects attracted to this tree including scarlet tanager, yellow-billed cuckoos, warblers, flycatchers, gnatcatchers and more
Host plant to many moths and butterflies including the Striped Hairstreak, Red-Spotted Purple and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Ironwood,
American Hornbeam
NJ Ecotype (grown from seed)
*Seedling stock expected by 2027 due to double dormancy
Deciduous hardwood understory tree; slow growing; 20-30ft tall on average, but can reach 45ft in ideal conditions
Monoecious—both male and female catkins form on the same tree; blooms early spring; leaves becomes vibrant shades of golden-yellow to orange-red in fall
Smooth, gray bark is ridged; wood is characteristically very dense and strong; leaves, twigs and stems eaten by deer, rabbits and beaver
Seeds are sought after by squirrels, foxes, and birds including ruffed grouse, turkey, evening grosbeaks, goldfinches and other songbirds; various birds feed on insects attracted to this tree including scarlet tanager, yellow-billed cuckoos, warblers, flycatchers, gnatcatchers and more
Host plant to many moths and butterflies including the Striped Hairstreak, Red-Spotted Purple and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Details
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Red, Green, Brown
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Early to mid Spring
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20-30ft tall on average, can reach up to 45ft in ideal conditions
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Average lifespan is between 50 and 150 years
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Medium
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Partial, Shade
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Striped Hairstreak
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail -
FAC - occurs in wetlands and non-wetlands
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Difficult species to germinate; requires; requires double dormancy (warm period followed by a cold period) — sow in spring and germination should occur the following year