Carpinus caroliniana subsp. caroliniana

The American hornbeam (Carolina subspecies) is a handsome, slow-growing native understory tree valued for its smooth, sinuous gray bark and brilliant orange-red autumn foliage. It prefers moist, slightly acidic soils in partial to full shade and is ideal for naturalized woodland gardens, stream banks, and shaded landscapes in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Water regularly during the first two years to establish a strong root system, after which it requires little additional care.