Blue Beech (Carpinus caroliniana) is an understory deciduous tree that has a globe-like form, which grows about as wide as it does tall at maturity (35 feet). Plant this species in a part to full shade location where soil is moist, rich, and deep. The best soil choice for this tree is a fertile loam but it can also tolerate clay or alkaline soils.
Its characteristic smooth, blue-gray bark gives way to larger muscle-like branches, which is why another common name for this tree is Musclewood. Leaves emerge as red-purple in spring, then turn dark green, and finally orange-red in the fall. The hard wood was once used to make bowls, tool handles, and ox yokes.
