Eastern Hophornbeam (Ironwood)

Ostrya virginiana

Foliage Type:

leaf

Arrangement:

simple, alternate

Distinguishing features: leaves - 1" to 5" long, elliptic to ovate (egg shape) leaves pointed at the tip, rounded to tapering to the base leaf margins - finely doubly toothed petioles up to 1/4" long bark - shreddy appearance, broken into small, narrow, thin plates which curve away from the trunk small tree up to 35 feet tall

Habitats:	dry mesic sites mesic sites
Often confused with:	Musclewood Paper birch Yellow birch Beaked hazelnut
Ecological Value:	seeds eaten by grouse, bobwhite, pheasant and ptarmigan twigs browsed by deer and rabbit
Did You Know?	Musclewood occurs as an understory tree in hardwood stands. is usually considered to be a weed tree because of its poor form and small size.
Uses / Ethnobotanical uses:	yoking oxen