Hornbeam Traditional Cache

Hornbeam

The Hornbeam is a different family from the similar Hop Hornbeam, Ostrya virginiana.

I have thought of this as Ironwood, never having come across it with the distinctive fruit before.

American Hornbeam; Carpinus caroliniana

This small tree is native to eastern North America.

The smooth greenish-gray bark covering the trunk becomes sculpted with age to resemble the muscles of a flexed arm. Beavers commonly use this tree for food as well as construction material because it is abundant in their local habitats. It is also called Blue-Beech, Ironwood, Musclewood or Water Beech.

Habitat: Moist soils in woods and along streams.

Growth Habit: Deciduous shrub or small tree, growing to 5-12 m tall.

Bloom Time: Mid-spring.

Longevity: Moderate.

The cache is a typical KET cache; Tied in, camoed, “small” pill bottle, with the usual rolled log with rubber band, tucked in a tiny zip lock plastic bag.