Ostrya virginiana – American hop hornbeam, Eastern hopbeam, Ironwood

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  3. Ostrya virginiana
Betulaceae

Ostrya virginiana – American hop hornbeam, Eastern hopbeam, Ironwood

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Native to a great deal of the United States where it is valued as a producer of hard wood ('ironwood'). A remarkable feature is the very low branching: the trunk often grows no higher than half a metre. The pendulous side branches cause a colossal crown to be formed with the passage of time. The short trunk is grey-brown, grooved and flakes off in small plates. The trunk becomes steadily darker in older trees. Young twigs are hairy but they are bare at a later stage. The long ovoid to oval leaves have a double serrated edge and turn a remarkable colour of yellow in autumn. The base of the leaf is more heart-shaped than that of O. carpinifolia. The tree's flowers are in the form of yellowish-green male catkins 4 - 5 cm long and female flowers in small ears. The latter turn into fruit resembling a hop and are approx. 6 cm long.

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Specifications
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Height
8 - 20 m
Width
8-15m
Crown
round, dark, dense crown
Bark and branches
bark grey-brown, grooved, young twigs bear hairs
Leaf
elongated ovoid to oval, green, 6 - 12 cm
Autumn colour
yellow
Flowers
yellowish-green catkins, ♂ 4-5 cm long, ♀ 2 - 2.5 cm long, April
Fruits
nutlets, in fruit resembling hops
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
likes calcareous soil
Soil moisture
suitable for dry soil
Paving
tolerates paving
Winter hardiness zone
4 (-34,4 to -28,9 °C)
Wind resistance
good
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6), can withstand wind
Shape
clearstem tree, multi-stem treem
Origin
central and eastern part of the United States
Clear stem tree Multi-stem tree calcareous soil loamy soil sandy soil tolerates paving resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6) suitable for dry soil can withstand wind 1st size , taller than 12 metres dense crown green yellowgreen average growing Attractive autumn colour non-toxic (usually) Ornamental fruit
Frequently asked questions
Ostrya virginiana

Ostrya virginiana can eventually reach a height of 8 - 20 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

Ostrya virginiana is average growing and can eventually reach a height of 8 - 20 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

The leaves of Ostrya virginiana turn yellow in autumn.

The right time to plant Ostrya virginiana is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Ostrya virginiana with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.

Ostrya virginiana blooms in april.
General