Taxonomy
| Clade | angiosperm |
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| Family | Betulaceae |
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| Genus | Carpinus |
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| Species | caroliniana |
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| Common Name | musclewood, bluebeech |
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| iTree Code | CACA18 |
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Plant Form
| Form | Tree: rounded crown |
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| Height | 30 feet |
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| Spread | 20 feet |
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| Deciduous | Yes |
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Identification Description
| Foliage | long, oval with pointed tip, finely serrated edge and V-shaped veins |
Leaf Type
 |
Simple |
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| Bark | thin, smooth gray; rippled wood, gives the trunk & branches a “muscled” appearance |
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| Bud | small pointed, reddish/brown with distinct overlapping scales (imbricate) |
Bud Arrangement
|
Alternate |
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| Twig | gray/brown, slender, zig-zag |
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| Flower | catkins green/yellow; male: are slender and pendulous (formed same year); female: are shorter; male and female on the same tree (monoecious) |
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| Fruit | a leafy bract hanging groups with a small nutlet underneath in a "stacked" bunch |
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| Fall Color | red, orange, yellow |
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Site Characteristics
| USDA Zones
|
pH Levels | Salt Tolerance |
| Min | 3b |
Min | 4.0 |
Soil | Intolerant |
| Max | 9a |
Max | 7.4 |
Spray | Intolerant |
| Shade Tolerance | Drought Tolerance | Allelopathy |
| Tolerant |
Intolerant |
No |
Species Status
| Nebraska Native |
|
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| U.S. Native |
|
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| Region of Origin | United States, Canada |
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| More Information | Visit External Site |
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