Ostrya virginiana
American hophornbeam, eastern hophornbeam, ironwood
Betulaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
tree
Size:
20-30 ft
Life Span:
long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
Fruit Color:
brown
Phenology:
Deciduous. Yellow fall color. Blooms in spring (inconspicuous). Fruits ripen in summer.
Noted For:
Hurricane Wind Resistance, Fall Color, Interesting Bark
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Small specimen tree. Also good as an understory tree. While rarely grown, this plant is very worth of use in the landscape.
Considerations:
Light:
Part Sun, Shade
Moisture Tolerance:
Somewhat moist, no flooding ---- to ---- Somewhat long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand, Clay, Loam
Suitable to Grow In:
8A,8B,9A,9B
Ecology
Wildlife:
Seeds are not popular with most birds, but it provides good cover.
Native Habitats:
Dry-mesic deciduous woods. Hammocks, bluff microsites.
