EASTERN HOP-HORNBEAM

or IRONWOOD

EASTERN HOP-HORNBEAM or Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana)

Eastern hop-hornbeam is a small tree with either an open or rounded crown. It reaches a height of 20-30 feet, and a diameter of 6-10 inches. The branches are long and slender, and the ends are somewhat drooping.

It is a fairly rapid grower, especially in good soil. It grows on slopes and ridges having a dry, gravelly soil, and is often found in the shade of other species.

The bark is grey, separates easily into thin, narrow scales, becoming finer and stringy on older trees.

The leaves are either egg-shaped in outline or nearly oblong, widest in the middle, hairy on both surfaces, alternate, sharply toothed, and 2-3 inches long. They are somewhat like those of yellow birch.

The flowers occur in catkins which open with the leaf buds. The male catkins are pre-formed in the fall and are usually in clusters of 3.

The fruit is bladder-like, encloses a ribbed nutlet, and occurs in clusters. It ripens in September. The name "hop-hornbeam" refers to the fruit which closely resembles the true hops.

The twigs are light brown, fine, tough and wiry, and have a small green pith.

The wood is very close-grained, heavy, very strong, and is exceedingly hard when seasoned. It is used for levers, mallets, tool handles, rollers for heavy equipment, and chopping blocks.