Ironwood, Hophornbeam, Hop Hornbeam American, Hop Hornbeam Eastern
Ostrya virginiana

Family: Betulaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Brown, Green. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Oval, Pyramidal, Rounded.

Ostrya virginiana is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower in September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 15

Where it is found

Rich moist woods, it is also found on dry gravelly slopes and ridges, often in the shade of oaks and other large trees.

Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Manitoba, Nebraska, Florida and Texas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

The bark is astringent, blood tonic and haemostatic. A decoction of the bark is used to bathe sore muscles. An infusion of the bark can be held in the mouth to relieve the pain of toothache. An infusion of the heartwood has been used in the treatment of lung haemorrhages, coughs and colds, catarrh and kidney problems. It is also used as a herbal steam bath in the treatment of rheumatism.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Blood tonic: Is this any different to a blood purifier?

Haemostatic: Controls internal bleeding.

Pectoral: Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.

Other

Rating:

Wood - close-grained, very hard, very strong, durable. It weighs 51lb per cubic foot. The wood is of a very high quality but the tree is not large enough to be used commercially. It is used locally for posts, mallets, tool handles and applications where resistance to wear is essential. A very good fuel, though it is almost impossible to split.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Firewood, Pest tolerant, Specimen, Street tree, Woodland garden. An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils.Thrives in any good loam, including chalk, it does not demand much light. Prefers a deep open loam. A rather slow-growing tree. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Special Features: North American native, Attractive flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it normally germinates in spring. The germination rate is variable but usually good. 'Green' seed, harvested when the embryo has fully formed but before the outer coat has dried, sown immediately in a cold frame germinates very well. Stored seed requires stratification, 3 months warm then 5 months cold usually works well but germination can take 18 months. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 3-9

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

O. virginica. Carpinus ostrya. C. virginiana.