American hop hornbeam

The American Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) is a medium-sized shade tree. Its canopy is pyramidal in youth and spreads as it matures with horizontal branches that sometimes will slightly droop forming an oval to rounded canopy. In full sun the canopy will be more dense while in partial sun it tends to be more open. Its oval leaves with pointed tips emerge in the spring as dark green and remain that way throughout the summer until the fall when they turn a lovely yellow. Its orange-grayish bark provides winter interest with its peeling texture.  

The American Hop Hornbeam is native to the eastern United States from eastern to Nova Scotia to Ontario and Minnesota and south to Texas and Florida. It is found growing in the wild as an understory tree in dry, rocky forests and sloped areas as well as some mountain regions.  

This tree produces small nutlets that are attractive to birds and other little creatures in the winter. It does well as a shade tree in a park or yard. Be aware that it is slow-growing but mature trees are quite the sight to behold with a very attractive form, interesting bark, and splendid fall color. It does best in full to partial sun and can take to most soil types as long as they are well-drained but thrives in more loamy soil.