Ostrya virginiana (Hophornbeam)

One of the hardest and toughest of the native woods - once used for sleigh runners - hophornbeam is confirmed not sensitive to drought and resistant to most urban stresses including insects, disease, wind, and ice, though it's worth knowing it's notoriously sensitive to road salt.

Species Overview

Ostrya virginiana, commonly called American hophornbeam or ironwood, is a small to medium-sized deciduous understory tree native throughout the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. It typically reaches 25 to 40 feet, with a rounded crown, distinctive shaggy bark that peels in thin vertical strips, and papery, hop-like fruit clusters that give the tree its common name.

Application

• Understory and shade-tolerant specimen tree plantings
• Dry, rocky slope and upland woods restoration
• Urban and street tree plantings away from salt exposure
• Naturalized woodland edge plantings

Growing Conditions / Specification Data

• Light: Full Sun to Full Shade - develops a broader crown in sun
• Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Rich, well-drained soils; dry to moist; will not tolerate flooding
• Drought Tolerance: High
• Flood Tolerance: Low - Rated Moist hydrology in a formal stormwater vegetation reference table, without a wet or flood-tolerant classification.
• Plant Type: Tree
• Mature Height: 25-50 ft.
• Fall Color: Yellow
• Wetland Indicator Status: NI (No Indicator) - see flags
• Native Range: Northeast/Mid-Atlantic (full list)
• Hydrology: Moist
• Root Depth: Deep (24-36 in.)
• Salinity Tolerance: Low
• Growth Rate: Slow
• Deer Resistance: Some
• Shade Tolerance: Tolerant
• Growth Habit: Rounded
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
• Pollinator Value: None significant - wind-pollinated

Planting Guidance

• IMPORTANT: notoriously sensitive to salt - avoid roadside or de-icing-salt-exposed plantings. Slow-growing.