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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Boring Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sapwood Color Scientific Name Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Carpinus caroliniana Trade Name American hornbeam Family Name Betulaceae Common Names American hornbeam, Blue beech, Water beech Regions of Distribution Central America, North America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Canada, Mexico, United States Common Uses Farm vehicles, Fuelwood, Handles, Machinery parts, Shafts/Handles, Skids, Tool handles, Vehicle parts, Wheels Environmental Profile Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview The range of American hornbeam extends from central Maine west to southwestern Quebec, southeastern Ontario, northern Michigan, and northern Minnesota; south to central Iowa and eastern Texas; and east to central Florida. Usually found in the understory of floodplain forests. Heartwood Color Brown Red Yellowish tan Turn reddish brown upon exposure Light brown Sapwood Color White White Sapwood is thick Grain Even Closed Figure Straight Irregular Wavy Texture Coarse Natural Durability Perishable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Susceptible to insect attack Non-durable Very little natural resistance Heartwood should not be used in conditions where decay is likely. Odor No specific smell or taste Drying Defects Distortion Warping can be expected Severe twisting/warping Ease of Drying Rapidly Medium to High Shrinkage Reconditioning Treatement Little degrade Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Tree is small and shrubby Comments Although the species is also referred to as Blue or Water beech because of the similar bark, it is actually a member of the Birch family. Blunting Effect Moderate High to severe Boring Very good to excellent results Fairly easy to very easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Figure Interlocked Other (figure) Even Straight Irregular Growth rings (figure) Crossed Rays (figure) Rippled (figure) Stripe (figure) Fair to Good Results Moulding Fair to Good Results Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Unstable with Poor Stability - Large Movement Not stable/prone to move Nailing Pre-Boring Recommended Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Poor to Very Poor Results Satisfactory machining properties Resistance to Impregnation Resistant sapwood Resistant heartwood Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Routing & Recessing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Steam Bending Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Polishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Staining Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Strength Properties Heavy Wood is very heavy Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Specific Gravity 0.54 0.64 Weight 50 47 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 11 % Volumetric Shrinkage 19 % Item Green Dry Metric Specific Gravity 0.54 0.64 Weight 801 753 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 11 % References Little, E.L. 1980. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Eastern Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York. Panshin, A.J. and C. deZeeuw. 1980. Textbook of Wood Technology, 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Series in Forest Resources, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.