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Landscaping with Carpinus Caroliniana (hornbeam, ironwood, etc)

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Posted by acer 6b western NC (My Page) on
Thu, Sep 22, 11 at 23:08

I've got a fruiting cherry that I may remove because it doesn't get enough sun. I'd like to replace it with a nice native tree, and my favorite small one is Carpinus caroliniana - also known as American hornbeam, ironwood, musclewood, blue beech, or water beech.

I think my site is very good, with deep soil and the right amount of shade and moisture. But I do have a few questions:

1) I have an unlimited supply of seedlings/saplings on soft riverside soil that I can dig. I hear this tree is hard to transplant. Any suggestions for success?

2) In optimum conditions, what kind of growth rate can I expect?

3) I've read troubling accounts of this tree having a short lifespan. Again, in good conditions, what would an average lifespan be?

Thanks!
Shannon

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RE: Landscaping with Carpinus Caroliniana (hornbeam, ironwood, et

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  • Posted by hortster 6A southcentral KS (My Page) on
    Fri, Sep 23, 11 at 15:42

I would start by barerooting a sapling in spring (or two, planted in the same hole, removing the one with weaker take). The smaller, the more likely a successful transplant, so maybe a 2'-3' or 3'-4'. Even under ideal conditions growth is slow. Not sure what the lifespan is, but I am familiar with one nearby that was not planted under ideal conditions, almost tough conditions, that is now around 30 years old and still going.
hortster

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