Blue-beech

Pollinator Value

🔑 Keystone: Carpinus supports 68 lepidoptera species in the ecoregion (NWF Eco 8), including charismatic moths such as Luna Moth (Actias luna), Cecropia Silkmoth (Hyalophora cecropia), and Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus). As a shade-tolerant understory tree, it provides critical larval habitat in the interior of mature hardwood forests where many canopy-dependent moths complete their life cycles.
S13 68 lepidoptera species; S41 understory habitat
🐛 Larval Host: Amorpha juglandis, Limenitis arthemis, Papilio glaucus, Acronicta funeralis, Paonias excaecatus, Actias luna, Euclea delphinii, Lophocampa caryae, Antheraea polyphemus, Automeris io, Hyalophora cecropia, Orgyia leucostigma
S13+S15 12 verified Eastern NA
❄️ Winter Food Source: Nutlets are eaten by Ruffed Grouse (3.8% diet occurrence), as well as Wild Turkey, Ring-necked Pheasant, and songbirds including Northern Cardinal and Evening Grosbeak. Eastern Gray Squirrel consumes the nutlets and beaver heavily uses the wood. Seeds persist into fall but are not highly persistent through winter; the primary winter value is buds and catkins consumed by gamebirds.
S57 Ruffed Grouse; S10 gamebirds and songbirds; S41 seeds, buds, catkins eaten by multiple species

Proximity Score: 0
Native Status: ✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: Local
CEC Eco-Regions: 5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians
Rarity Notes: Globally secure (G5, IUCN Least Concern). S5 in Ontario, SNR in Quebec. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Uncommon in the Ottawa-Hull region per Gillett & White (1978), described as sparse in Quebec. The species reaches its northern range limit in southern Quebec and southeastern Ontario.
S22 G5/LC; S26 not SARA listed; S63 uncommon Ottawa-Hull; S41 native range
Rarity Ranks: QC SNR – Not Ranked, ON S5 – Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: A shade-tolerant understory tree of rich mesic hardwood forests, typically found on alluvial terraces, streambanks, and moist slopes alongside Sugar Maple, American Beech, and Eastern Hemlock. In the Outaouais it occupies the transition zone between mesic uplands and wetlands, favoring well-drained loamy soils with high moisture-holding capacity. Listed as uncommon in the Ottawa-Hull flora (1978) with sparse Quebec representation, though 555 GBIF observations in the Gatineau area indicate it is locally well-established.
S41 habitat and associates; S63 uncommon status; S48 555 observations

Roles: Fortress/Barrier, Shelterbelter, Wildlife Habitat
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Shelterbelter: S72 Hemenway (tables: appendix_a, pp. 186)] | Wildlife Habitat: S72 Hemenway (tables: appendix_a, pp. 186)]
Notes: Hemenway lists Carpinus as a deciduous understory tree suitable for hedgerows and wildlife habitat guilds (Zone 3 hardy). In natural forest communities it associates with Sugar Maple, American Beech, and Eastern Hemlock in the overstory, and with Eastern Hophornbeam, Flowering Dogwood, Witch-hazel, Serviceberry, and Spicebush in the understory layer. Its shade tolerance and slow growth make it well-suited as a persistent understory companion beneath tall canopy trees. OWSL notes it as tolerant of juglone, making it compatible with Black Walnut.
S72 hedgerow/wildlife habitat; S41 forest associates; S3 juglone tolerant

Category: Antidiarrheal, Dermatological Aid, Urinary Aid, Gynecological Aid, Tonic, Pediatric Aid, Tuberculosis Remedy, Astringent
S28 Moerman categories from Cherokee, Iroquois, Delaware uses
Notes: Used medicinally by Cherokee, Iroquois, and Delaware peoples. Cherokee used compound infusions of the astringent inner bark for flux (diarrhea) and dermatological conditions. Iroquois used compound decoctions for diarrhea in infants, childbirth facilitation, and consumption (tuberculosis). Delaware Ontario used compound infusions of root or bark for gynecological conditions and general debility. The inner bark is astringent. Not used in modern herbalism. PFAF rates medicinal value 1 of 5.
S28 Moerman 14 uses; S29 astringent inner bark, not used in modern herbalism

❌ Not Edible

Foraging Notes: Nutlets are technically edible when cooked but are considered an emergency food only. PFAF rates edibility 1 of 5. Moerman lists no food uses among Indigenous peoples. USDA classifies as not palatable to humans.
S29 Seed cooked, emergency food; S11 Palatable Human=No; S28 no food category