Blue Beech (Carpinus caroliniana)

15-20 ft. ht., 10-15 ft. w., One of the best mid-sized trees with smooth, gray, fluted bark. The flowers are in the form of catkins and are not highly visible. The fruit hangs in 4-6 inch clusters. Fall color can be red, yellow and orange. This tree is highly adaptable to different soils and pH levels in the soil. In full sun, it will grow in a formal, upright character, but if grown in shade it will have a more loose, informal shape. Many people have used this tree as a screen.