eastern hop-hornbeam

The eastern hop-hornbeam, scientifically known as Ostrya virginiana, is a tree native to eastern North America. It belongs to the birch family, Betulaceae, and is closely related to hornbeams. This tree is also referred to as ironwood due to its exceptionally hard and heavy wood, which has been traditionally used for items like fence posts and tool handles.12

The common name "hop-hornbeam" comes from its fruit clusters, which bear a resemblance to hops. These trees typically have shaggy, scaling bark and alternately arranged leaves with hairy stalks. Male and female flowers are found on the same plant, with male flowers appearing in long, drooping catkins and female flowers in shorter catkins.2