Have you heard of the American Hop-hornbeam?

American hop-hornbeam, (Ostrya virginiana) is a deciduous, native tree which usually occurs in dry soils on rocky slopes, upland woods, and bluffs throughout its range. A small to medium-sized, understory tree with a generally rounded crown. Typically grows 25-40′ tall with a slightly smaller spread. Features birch-like, oval to lance-shaped, sharply-serrated, dark yellowish-green leaves (to 5″ long). Leaves turn an undistinguished yellow in autumn and often drop early. Flowers are reddish-brown male flowers and greenish female flowers appear in separate catkins on the same tree. Flowers are not particularly showy, although the male catkins are more prominent and are present throughout winter. Female catkins are followed by drooping clusters of sac-like, seed-bearing pods which, as the common name suggests, somewhat resemble the fruit of hops. Also, commonly called ironwood because of its extremely hard and dense wood.

The hop-like papery sack encases a nutlet that is the fruit of this tree and is a winter food for ring-necked pheasants, rabbits, grouse, turkeys, deer, squirrels, and several songbirds. These fruits occur in clusters that resemble true hops that are used in the production of beer.

Native Range: Eastern North America, Mexico 

Zone: 3 to 9

Height: 25.00 to 40.00 feet

Spread: 20.00 to 30.00 feet

Bloom Time: April

Bloom Description: Red-brown (male); light green (female)

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Low

Suggested Use: Shade Tree, Street Tree

Flower: Insignificant

Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Clay Soil