In the Betulaceae (Birch) family, American Hornbeam (also called Blue Beech, Musclewood, and sometimes Ironwood) is a small, understory tree that often forms multi-trunked colonies in moist, rich forest conditions in the dappled shade of larger deciduous hardwood trees. It has an upright shape and an elegant, open canopy of fine twigs that show its alternate leaf structure. Bark is its main distinguishing feature: smooth, grey with a blue undertone, angular, and “fluted” resembling a sinewed human arm. The buds are reddish brown and pressed against the twig in winter. Leaves are dark green, double-toothed, and ovoid. Fall colour is a lovely orange against the bluish bark. Hornbeam is slow growing and not a prolific species; it’s found in limited numbers near the edge of ephemeral woodland ponds and damp areas. Trees do not regularly flower and set seed, but seem to do so when they get more light beside forest clearings. A tree spreads locally by forming colonies with connected root systems. Hornbeam should be more widely available as a landscape tree for shaded lots.