American Hornbeam
(Carpinus caroliniana)
Small grove, along left (eastern) side of path, about 200 feet from north entrance, Littlefield Ornamentals Trial Garden, Rangeley Road
- Occurs in Maine mainly west of the Penobscot River in the southern third of the state; small, slow-growing, low-maintenance deciduous tree, hardy in many zones.
- Light brown winged nutlets (fruit) dangle in clusters, maturing in October.
- Used by early Americans for bowls, tool handles and ox yokes in part because wood takes a “horn-like” polish.
- Tree also known as musclewood probably because wood is extremely hard and strong, and trunk is fluted or ridged (muscle-like).