Ironwood

Ostrya virginiana

Native to MN

#10 Container

Mature height x width: 25-45’ x 15-35’

Light Preference: Partial sun, shade

Soil Preference: Sandy loam to clay, moist and well-drained

Tolerates… Deer, drought, clay soil

Does not tolerate… Soil compaction, road salt

Ash replacement? û

Buckthorn replacement? ü

Shoreline buffer zone? û

Seasonal interest: Hop like fruit in summer. Leaves hang on through the winter.

Resilience to climate change: High adaptability

Pollinator and wildlife value: Birds and deer   

Other notes: Also known as hop hornbeam, this native understory tree has interesting hop-like fruit, brownish gray flaky bark and leaves that hang on through the winter. Typically a slow grower, this low maintenance tree does well in full shade to full sun. An attractive medium sized tree for the yard or wooded setting.

Photo credit: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org; Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org; Vern Wilkins, Indiana University, Bugwood.org