Landowner Fact Sheets

hophornbeam Ostrya virginiana play

Hophornbeam is an understory tree known for its very hard wood. In fact, another name for hophornbeam is ironwood. It will actually dull a sawblade!

range map Click to see more images. fall color

Light
Hophornbeam is rarely intentionally regenerated.

Water
Hophornbeam is common on well-drained slopes and in the understory of hardwood forests.

Growth

Size
A small tree up to 40 feet tall that develops a round crown of fine branches.

Timber Value
Not a timber tree for its relatively small size, the hard and durable wood is used for specialty products such as the namesake hornbeam (used to yoke teams of oxen) and tool handles.

Wildlife Value
Hophornbeam is of secondary importance to wildlife. Even deer tend to snub it for almost everything else.
Attracts grouse, turkey, squirrels

Insects and Diseases

Fun Facts
The wood is extremely heavy and strong, and is most often used for tool handles. The name hophornbeam stems from the hop-like fruit and the past use of the wood in yoking oxen.

Latin Meaning
Ostrya: Greek "ostrya or ostrua" (a tree with hard wood) / virginiana: of Virginia

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Landowner Factsheets © 2004 Virginia Tech Forestry Department, all rights reserved. Text, images, and programming by: Dr. Jeff Kirwan, Dr. John R. Seiler, John A. Peterson, Edward C. Jensen, Guy Phillips, or Andrew S. Meeks.