Hophornbeam

Deciduous
Size: 35-50' H x 20-35' W
Flowers: Catkins, winter and April
Fruit: Nutlet, June - October
Culture: Partial shade

The wood of the Hop Hornbeam is very hard and tough and the tree is sometimes called "Ironwood" (a name that is also used for a different tree Carpinus carolina - American Hornbeam). It is an attractive shade tree and readily adaptable to a number of environmental settings. This species is frequently found in bottomland forests or along river levees, but is also a common understory component of drier, upland woods. The bark tends to flake off in small plates giving the trunk a shreddy appearance. The matured fruits together resember ripened hops, hence its name. Native from eastern US, west to MN and TX, south through FL. Fall color - pale yellow.

Prepared by Kim Buchanan.
Document URL: http://www.environ.sc.edu/A_C_MooreWeb/Hophornbeam.htm