34 Arbor Age / September 2014 www.arborage.com
B y L e o n a r d P h i l l i p s ,
A S L A E m e r i t u s
Trade Name: Native Flame American Hornbeam
Botanical Name: Carpinus caroliniana 'JFS KW6'
Parentage: Hybrid, introduced by J. Frank Schmidt & Son
Year of Introduction: 2010
Family: Betulaceae
Hardiness Zone*: 5 to 9
Height: 30 to 40 feet
Spread: 20 to 30 feet
Growth Rate: Slow, 10 feet tall in 10 years
Form: Upright oval
Bloom Period: April
Flower: Catkins, 1-1/2-inch long
Fruit: Small nutlet
Spring Color: Mid green
Summer Foliage: Dark green
Autumn Foliage: Bright red
Winter Interest: Bark provides winter interest
Bark: Gray, smooth with irregularly fl uted appearance
Habitat: Native to eastern half of the United States
Culture: Grows best in deep, rich, well drained soil, best
in slightly acid soils, tolerates shade, wet soil, and
periodic fl ooding
Pest Resistance: Nothing signifi cant
Storm Resistance: Excellent
Salt Resistance: Fair to good
Planting: Diffi cult to transplant, best to plant small trees B&B
Pruning: Does not tolerate pruning
Propagating: Budded or grafted on seedling rootstock
Design Uses: Best in naturalized setting
Companions: Use with native groundcovers
Other Comments: Selected for good upright growth and
form, excellent bright red fall color, graceful informality of
a native
Available From: Larger nurseries that carry new introductions.
* For information about the USDA Hardiness Zone Map, visit
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/index.html.
These are the personal observations of the author, living in
New England – Zone 6. Leonard Phillips can be reached via
e-mail at lenphillips@on-line-seminars.com.
Native Flame
American Hornbeam
All photos provided by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.
TREE OF THE MONTH
