VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Carpinus caroliniana | American Hornbeam 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
American hornbeam wood is very hard, heavy, and close-grained.  It is
very difficult to work and is used only for tool handles, mallets, and
golf club heads [4,6,7].


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
American hornbeam is of secondary importance to wildlife.  Ruffed
grouse, ring-necked pheasant, and northern bobwhite eat small quantities
of the seeds, buds, and catkins.  Seeds are consumed by yellow-rumped
warbler [24].  The seeds are also consumed by ducks, but usually only
when acorn production is limited [28].  Seeds, bark, and wood are eaten
by rabbits, beaver, fox squirrel, and eastern gray squirrel.
White-tailed deer browse the twigs and foliage [24].  American hornbeam
has been reported in wild turkey crops from New York and Pennsylvania [6].


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
American hornbeam nuts are edible but small and therefore are seldom
collected for food [6].  The leaves of American hornbeam have been used
as an astringent [19].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
American hornbeam is usually regarded as a weed tree because of its
small size and poor form [6,27].  In eastern hardwoods, American
hornbeam may increase in dominance on a stand under single tree
selection management [23].  Intensive site preparation is needed to
regenerate intolerant soft hardwoods (eastern cottonwood [Populus
deltoides], sycamore [Platanus occidentalis], sweetgum [Liquidambar
styraciflua], and yellow-poplar [Lirodendron tulipifera]) in the
presence of American hornbeam [15].  American hornbeam initially
dominated a clearcut site but was eventually overtopped by larger
species [2].  American hornbeam may be controlled by 2,4,5-T [6].

Overstory cover is important for maintenance of American hornbeam.
Cutting practices should leave some canopy trees for shade [6].
American hornbeam seedlings grown in full sun responded positively to
increased nutrients (applied at levels to mimic the range of values for
agricultural runoff and sewage sludge) [38].

Insects and diseases are not usually serious problems for American
hornbeam [27].

Related categories for Species: Carpinus caroliniana | American Hornbeam