Tree Talk: Musclewood

Time to flex your tree identification skills! This time on Tree Talk we cover Carpinus caroliniana, also known as musclewood, ironwood, American hornbeam, or blue-beech. This midstory tree isn't very commercially valuable, but is treasured by critters and forest enthusiasts alike.
To learn more about forests and forest management, check out our website! www.forestsforthebay.org
Recorded in February 2020 in Lebanon County, PA. Edited by Allyson Wells.

[@AdamB12]

Hornbeam is so good for tool handles. And makes amazing firewood.

[@macknewman835]

It's great for bows.

[@stevemurray6543]

So, since seeing your video all those months ago, I have planted two American and two European hornbeams. Thank you for the reminder that I needed some of these in my botanical garden. Thanks.

[@MrHrKaidoOjamaaVKJV]

What an awesome insightful presentation on Hornbeam tree! Nice companion your buddy! This is one of my favorite North American deciduous Hardwoods. I have made Bows and Arrows from this excellent hardwood as well as Tool handles, ,Walking sticks. The "Muscle" features, shows a truly a meta-physical- spiritual feature aspect of this unique tree. I wonder how durable Hornbeam is as compared to its relative, Hop Hornbeam Ostrya Virginia?

[@forestsforthebay4784]

Good question! I'm not quite sure how the two species compare, but have heard that Ostrya is very durable too (hence its common name ironwood)

[@MrHrKaidoOjamaaVKJV]

@@forestsforthebay4784 I looked it up. The Hop Hornbeam is tougher and more resistant to rot decay than the Hornbeam is. If you want to harvest a Hornbeam be aware the Tree should be rinsed off with water, the bark pealed and the bare wood kept out of eliments. As Hornbeam is susceptible to quickly rot, deterioate upon being exposed in the wilds in nature to; rain,humidity etc. I cure my harvested Hornbeam in my garage out of the exposure to rain and other eliments. Once Hornbeam is properly cured, dryed it is a very dense, resistant, strong wood. Also the European Hornbeam, although it grows larger, it is not as tough as the American version.

[@provostdronesolutions7487]

i just purchased 25 acres and 1700' on the Great Chazy River in NY. I found 2 stands of Musclewood trees. in total i believe i have over 60 standing, and I plan on growing more from seed and cloning.

[@zacledford425]

nice!!!

[@gallagma]

Nutlet is now my new favorite word.

[@karlsenula9495]

Didn't see a Elm (my native plant nursery said there are disease resistant ones out there - I got one and it is now 20ft tall) video or a Bald Cypress?

[@johncremeans969]

He comes very light weight combine with its strength you can have a very thin lightweight stick

[@michellesutton8372]

Excellent video!

[@karlsenula9495]

I have a small tree of this .. from a native plants nursery ... seems to be slow growing.

[@markjones5561]

Thank you again for the video. Always enjoy them. I've only ever found one of these, and that poor little bugger was somewhat squished by a fallen oak last year. It's tough, but not THAT tough :)

[@ryanfitzpatrick3256]

Nice video! Good job!

[@tigertbalm]

Cute little companion.

[@andyshelly3473]

you are the man , thank you so very much .

[@mottodan]

Just found your channel, thanks a bunch,oh I've subscribed to it too.

[@TalesofDeath]

Thank you so much for this video! I'm just now getting into making my own staff for my foraging. You're very knowledgeable!!

[@thorinbane]

Blue beech?

[@forestsforthebay4784]

yep, that's another name for musclewood!

[@jeffjohnson2958]

Do you think polyphemus and luna caterpillars would utilize it as a foodplant given that it is in the Butulaceae? Both of those species use (and do very well on) Betula papyrifera (white/paper birch) here in Wisconsin.

[@forestsforthebay4784]

yes, I believe they do! Another great property of this lovely tree! :)

[@jameswingert9596]

Cool!! 🙌🏾

[@JackWallacmusic]

isn't ironwood and musclewood two different species? Musclewood: Carpinus caroliniana, Ironwood: Ostrya virginiana

[@forestsforthebay4784]

I've heard Carpinus also called ironwood, but haven't heard Ostrya called musclewood before. I think what I hear Ostrya virginiana called most is hophornbeam. Another reason why the Latin is so important!

[@MrHrKaidoOjamaaVKJV]

@@forestsforthebay4784 Yes both the; Hornbeam and the Hop Hornbeam are often referred to the generic term of being called "Ironwoods". As are many different hardwood species around the world.

[@EmeraldForester777]

@@MrHrKaidoOjamaaVKJV "Ironwood" is a confusing name to use due to many plants having been called that. American hornbeam for Carpinus caroliniana and Eastern hophornbeam for Ostrya virginiana relieves most confusion. But yeah learn that Latin!

[@MrHrKaidoOjamaaVKJV]

@@EmeraldForester777 Yes indeed, a good pointer! I learned that the use of Latin language ketvwords in the Criminal justice Police line of work. The medical field also uses Latin as a Universal Language to avoid confusion. BTW, I found out that between the two; Hornbeam and Hop Hornbeam, the Hop Hornbeam, is considered the more dense, stronger and offers better rit breakdown resistance than Hornbeam does.

[@richardschneller7674]

This is why the botanical nomenclature was developed