Hornbeam/Carpinus – Blue Beech/Ironwood

The American hornbeam is a native forest understory tree in the Chicago area, making it useful for shady landscapes and naturalized or woodland gardens. New leaves emerge reddish-purple, changing to dark green, then turn yellow to orange-red in the fall, offering a kaleidoscope of color throughout the year. Even in winter, the tree’s fluted blue-gray bark with long, sinewy ridges make it a special addition to the landscape.