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HopHornbeam

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Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) – An underused small native woodland tree with exceptionally strong wood, tolerates shade very well; interesting hop-like seeds in late summer, layered habit of growth, flaking bark; very low maintenance, but somewhat slow growing.

Characteristics

Average Landscape Height:
30 feet
Average Landscape Width:
20 feet
Growth Rate:
slow
Genus:
Ostrya
Species:
virginiana
Summer Foliage Color:
dark green
Fall Color:
lemon
Minimum Light:
partial shade
Maximum Light:
full sun
Minimum Moisture:
dry
Maximum Moisture:
moist
Plant Form:
oval
Canopy:
low
Pruning:
late winter pruning
Other Species Names:
Ironwood
Branching:
decurrent
Density:
open

Ornamental Features

Hop Hornbeam has dark green deciduous foliage on a tree with an oval habit of growth. The serrated pointy leaves turn lemon yellow in fall. It produces small clusters of tan hop-like fruit from late summer to mid fall.

Landscape Attributes

Hop Hornbeam is an open deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

Planting & Growing

Hop Hornbeam will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is native to parts of North America.

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