Ironwood or Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

Form

Height 20 to 40 feet; diameter 5 to 12 inches; broad, rounded crown; branches long and slender, drooping at ends.

Bark

About 1/4 inch thick; light gray-brown; finely divided into narrow, thin scales that are easily rubbed off.

Leaf

Alternate; generally oblong with narrow tips, doubly toothed along margins; length 2 to 4 inches,; dark, dull, yellow-green above and light yellow-green below.

Flower

Blossoms in April and May.

Fruit

In clusters of leafy bracts; each bract contains one flattened, ribbed, hard nutlet about 1/3 inch long and 1/8 inch wide; fruit ripens in July and August.

Range

Found throughout the state, usually on the better, well-drained soils or gravel ridges in mixtures with other hardwoods.

Wood

Very strong, hard, heavy, durable, light brown, with thick, pale sapwood; used for fence posts, handles of tools, mallets and other small articles and fuel.

Notes

The tree receives its common name from the quality of its wood and its hop-like fruit.