American Hop Hornbeam

Ostrya virginiana

$109⁹⁹

Out of stock
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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Highlights

American Hop Hornbeam highlights at a glance!

Specifications

Brand

Nature Hills' Choice
Botanical Name

Ostrya virginiana
Growing Zones

3 - 9
Mature Height

20 - 40 Feet
Mature Spread

20 - 30 Feet
Sun Exposure

Full Sun, Partial Shade
Moisture

Medium
Soil

Well Drained Soil
Growth Rate

Medium
Fall Color

Light Green
Pollinator Friendly

No
Pollinator Required

No
Fragrant

No
Pruning Time

After Foliage Yellows
Bloom Period

Early Spring, Late Spring

Growing Zones 3 - 9

Find Your Growing Zone!

One of the most underutilized and attractive native trees is the American Hop Hornbeam Tree (Ostrya virginiana) which features persistent hop-like fruits that songbirds love! A lovely and pest-free, mid-sized native, the Hop Hornbeam fills out with lance-shaped, sharply-serrated leaves all growing season!

The spring foliage unfurls purplish-red and matures a deep yellowish-green. Showy male catkins persist throughout the winter and the tiny female flowers produce nutlets, which hang in tiered papery sacks that resemble their Hop plant namesake. These seeds provide much-needed nourishment for backyard birds! The red-orange to yellowish fall color is a much-anticipated autumn event!

Sometimes called Hophornbeam, it's also known as the Musclewood because of the blue-grey bark's texture, as well as called Ironwood because of the Hop Hornbeam Trees extremely hard, dense timber. A larval Host Plant for several butterflies and many insects, these bugs support flocks of birds feeding their hungry chicks! The shaggy bark provides winter interest throughout USDA growing zones 3 to 9.

Planting and Application:

The Hornbeam is a fantastic shade tree but also a vital wildlife tree! The broad and tall branching provides habitat, nesting, and shelter all growing season long! Highly adaptable as either a specimen in the sunny lawn or as an understory tree in the mixed shrub border or windbreak and shelterbelt hedge!

The American Hop Hornbeam is also an ideal street tree as it is very tolerant of urban conditions. Also suitable for naturalizing throughout woodland gardens. The strong wood makes these great for supporting heavy snow loads and tolerating strong winds.

Lush Dark Green Leaves
Showy Catkins & Bird-Friendly Nutlets
Very Strong Trunks & Timber
Shaggy Bark & Wonderful Fall Color
Hardy Native Understory, Shade & Street Tree, Windbreaks & Shelterbelts

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Growing 25-40 feet in height and 20-30 feet wide, this native deciduous tree prefers full sunlight but is also tolerant to partial shade or even full shade in hotter climates. Adaptable to moist or dry conditions, these are great all-around resistant and hardy trees throughout USDA planting zones 3 to 9. All plants appreciate a layer of arborist bark chips and the lifelong root support of Nature Hills Root Booster at planting time. Give new trees regular moisture and a good staking system to maintain straight trunks.

Naturally found throughout the U.S. in some dry soils, on rocky slopes, upland woods and bluffs, Hornbeam Trees do great in the average well-drained garden landscape with regular moisture and tolerate occasional drought. Deer resistant, it's recommended you only prune these trees lightly after flowering if needed.

Full Sun & Partial Shade
Well-Drained Soil - But Tolerates Harsh Conditions
Regular Moderate Moisture & Drought-Resistant Once Established
Prune After Flowering If Needed
Deer Resistant & Urban Environment Tolerant

The hardy and adaptable native American Hop Hornbeam Tree goes by many names, and you'll wonder how you've overlooked this underutilized, bird-friendly tree in your landscape! Don't let it slip on by again, order yours today at NatureHills.com!