The American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana ) is a wide spreading medium sized tree that grows to 40' in height. It has a flat-topped crown when mature. Hardy to zone 3b, it likes full sun to partial shade. The Hornbeam tree tolerates any soil. It needs good moisture and drainage until well-established but then is tolerant of moderate drought conditions.

Foliage consists of deciduous, simple, oblong leaves that are dark green in color and 1-3 inches long. Leaf margins are doubly serrated. They turn a mottled yellow and red in fall. 

Fruit clusters, 1½ to 4 inches long, resemble hanging Japanese pagodas.

Trunk and branches appear sinewy and muscular with smooth, gray bark.