Hop-Hornbeam—Ostrya virginiana

Medium | Deciduous | Height: 20-35 feet | Spread: 10-15 feet

The hop-hornbeam or ironwood is a slender deciduous tree in the birch family. Its leaves are like birch and elm; in fact, the tree is often confused for one of these. Its common names come from the hardness of its wood and its fruits, which look like hops. This slow-growing tree is easy to grow, succeeding in most soil types, although, it does best in good loam. It prefers some shade. Once established, the Hop-hornbeam is drought-resistant and requires little maintenance.

The hop-hornbeam provides winter food for various birds and small mammals and serves as a host plant to swallowtail butterflies.

More information on the characteristics and cultivation of this species can be found at https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ostrya-virginiana/