Blue beech trees - Ask Extension
MPR has guests talking about Urban forest and tree trust. One tree recommended blue beech as an understory tree. How “messy” and reproductive is i...
Knowledgebase
Blue beech trees #764797
Asked July 30, 2021, 12:40 PM EDT
MPR has guests talking about Urban forest and tree trust. One tree recommended blue beech as an understory tree. How “messy” and reproductive is it with Catkins and fruit? I am under siege from silver maple helicopters.
Thanks
Lynn Renee
Stillwater
Washington County Minnesota
Expert Response
Carpinus caroliniana or blue beech, musclewood, American hornbeam is native to N America. It will have an open habit in total shade, but be dense in full sun. It prefer a shady location. Squirrels and birds love to dine on the seeds and flowers. Difficult to transplant so best moved in spring as a containerized plant. Does well in sandy or clay loams with high organic matter. It has a tendency for multiple stems caused by root suckers.