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Musclewood

Botanical Name
Carpinus caroliniana
Hardiness
Zones 3b to 9
Height
20 to 30 feet
Width
20 to 30 feet
Flowers
April: female flowers are 4 inches long and attached to a 3 lobed bract, male flowers are catkins
Fruit
Small seed-like nutlet enclosed in by a 3-lobed bract, numerous nutlets held on a pendulous cluster
Fall Color
Yellow, orange, red and reddish-purple
Light
Sun to shade
Soil
Moist, rich
Planting & Care
  • Transplant as balled and burlap or container in spring
  • Slow to establish
  • Prefers shade
Problems
Does not transplant well, 2-line chestnut borer, dieback, canker
Varieties
  • Firespire - narrow, upright, 20' x 10', good red-orange fall color
  • Native Flame - upright habit, 30' x 20', bright red fall color
  • J.N. Strain - upright form with orange-red fall color
  • Palisade - upright oval form, 20 - 30' tall by 15 - 20' tall, yellow-orange fall color

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