Hornbeam ????

[wildman]

Has anyone ever heard of hornbeam being called musclewood. I had never heard of hornbeam around here. I have some on my place ( I know because of hop blooms) oldtimers called it muscle wood.

[Blaflair2]

Muscle wood is blue beech, or snake wood. Also known as another iron wood. Known for its look of snakes or muscle under the bark. Hip hornbeam is also called iron wood. Blue beech is usually found in marshy wet lands. Always very crooked and knarly. Also doesn't get very big. It's hard a F%#€ !

[wildman]

I said muscle wood ,but meant ironwood. We have muscle wood growing in creek bottoms here. So is ironwood the same hornbeam thats good for bows? Bark looks a lil different from what Ive seen on here.

[KHalverson]

here in Michigan both muscle wood and hop hornbeam are often refered to as iron wood
hop hornbeam leaves look very much like muscle wood leaves but the bark is shaggier similar to cedar
my experience with muscle wood is if ya don't get it wiped down and sealed quick itll check badly
bows have been made from both
Kevin

[koan]

Hophornbeam= Ironwood..... American hornbeam=musclewood- this according to book " 50 Common Trees of Mo. .....interesting fact: early americans called hophornbeam "yoke wood" cuz it bent easily and was so strong they made yoke for the work animals... Brian

[wildman]

THE hornbeam on my place has the smooth bark almost like Hackberry without warts. I have seen the roughbark type in IN and Il. I will try to post some pics tomm. Is the smooth good bow wood?

[KHalverson]

I do believe  Blackhawk has made a bow from the smooth bark muscle wood
I made some rustic furniture from it once for my mother in laws and it's some tough stuff

[beetlebailey1977]

Musclewood would be American hornbeam...

[Blaflair2]

We know it in central ny as blue beech

[Hillbilly]

Both hornbeam (Carpinus,) and hophornbeam (Ostrya) are commonly known as ironwood here.

[Blaflair2]

I've never saw a hornbeam, just hop hornbeam