Ostrya virginiana #3 (Ironwood / Hophornbeam)

Ironwood, also known as American Hophornbeam, is a tough, native understory tree of upland forests. Its name comes from its strong, dense wood. It is fairly recognizable with the warm gray, shaggy bark and the yellowish male catkins which hang from the tree throughout late winter. The female catkins emerge in April and are cross-pollinated by the wind. The seeds are formed into green, cone-like clusters of papery pods which resemble hops. They are a source of food for several small mammals and bird species. At least 94 species* of Lepidoptera have been documented using Ironwood as a larval host, which provides a juicy buffet of caterpillars for insectivorous birds and nestlings.

Ironwood has a slow growth rate of 10-15′ tall in 15 years. It tolerates dry situations, urban air pollution, and full sun to full shade. The crown is very dense with striking copper fall foliage in a sunnier exposure while in full shade, the trees tend to be more open and airy. They are drought tolerant after well-established, but need a thorough watering during dry spells during the first two years and require a well-draining soil. It makes a beautiful specimen tree for the understory, a small space or the woodland garden. This tree is sensitive to salt exposure, so beware of planting it near streets, sidewalks or driveways.

Sources:
Native Trees, Shrubs, & Vines by William Cullina
Manual of Woody Landscape Plants by Michael A. Dirr
*Midwestern Native Shrubs and Trees by Charlotte Adelman & Bernard L. Schwartz
Missouri Botanical Garden
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Illinois Wildflowers
ODNR

Photo Credits:
Fall Color: Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fruits: Eric Hunt, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Catkins: Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mature Bark: Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mature Winter: Richard Webb, Bugwood.org, CC BY 3.0 US, via Wikimedia Commons