Trees of Treehaven

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

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 Copyright 1999. This page was created by H. Knodle, M. Luthin, D. Jakes, P. Vandersteen & R. Lundquist.

 Last updated on September 14, 1999.

 Please send any suggestions or corrections to H. Knodle