American Hornbeam - Carpinus caroliniana Birch Family (Betulaceae)

The trunk and branches of this tree have ridges that look like muscles.1

Songbirds are attracted to its forked branches, dense crown and tasty seeds.1

The hard wood of American hornbeam is used to make golf clubs, tool handles and mallets.1

The bark of the American Hornbeam is irregularly fluted which gives the tree the distinctive muscular appearance.2