American Hop Hornbeam

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!