Other Names: blue beech, water beech, ironwood (although not actually ironwood), and musclewood
Number of Species: About 30
Family: Betulaceae
Genus/Species: Carpinus caroliniana
Leaf: Simple alternate, deciduous, 2–5 inches long, light green, ovate; fine, sharp, saw-toothed margins with pointed tip. The buds of the American hornbeam are straight, and the tree is generally smaller than the European hornbeam.
Bark: Blue-gray to gray and smooth like the bark of beech trees
Fruit: Small nutlets that grow within a green papery pod-like cluster (samara). Seeds are edible when cooked, although not very tasty.
Magickal Properties and Lore: Safety, guarding, shielding, protection, trust, strength, durability, persistence, achieving goals, healing, sight, spirit vision, and intuition. Sit for a spell beneath this tree or smell the leaves to relieve stress and anxiety. This tree is one that represents both the Green Man and the wisdom of the Goddess.
Practical Uses: The name hornbeam is derived from “horn” to represent strength, durability, might, toughness, and the lord of the wild, the god of the hunt, or the horned one. The word “beam” stands for tree or wood. The wood is tough and hard, used for drumsticks and tool handles. The leaves, twigs, and fruit provide food for much wildlife. This is another understory tree, meaning that it often grows under the shade or umbrella of older and taller trees.
Medicinal Properties: Can be used to treat wounds, some eye conditions, and urinary problems.