The Society of Municipal Arborists has named the musclewood tree (Carpinus caroliniana) as its Urban Tree of the Year for 2022.
Native to the eastern United States, (and also known as ironwood or American hornbeam) it's similar to the European hornbeam (C. betulus), but it's smaller in size, maturing at 20-30 feet high and wide. The tree is named for it's smooth gray sinewy bark that resembles muscles.
The leaves are dark green with ragged edges and prominent ribs, and turn to a deep red, orange, or yellow in fall. Spring catkins are followed by nutlets in fall that appeal to some birds and other wildlife. The tree is hardy in Zones 3-5, and prefers full sun and moist soil conditions. Newer cultivars with spectacular fall color include Ball O'Fire™, Firespire™, and the upright Palisade™.
You can read the more detailed original press release from the NY State Urban Forestry Council here.
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