Ostrya virginiana
American Hophornbeam
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
A graceful, small tree, average mature size of 25-40' tall and 15-25' wide. Occasionally grows to 60' in the wild. Pyramidal in youth, becoming rounded at maturity, with many horizontal or drooping branches. Slow growth rate, 10-15' in 15 years. Medium lifespan, around 150 years.
Native Range
Kentucky Native — Native to the eastern half of the U.S., and all of Kentucky… from Cape Breton, Ontario to Minnesota, south to Florida and Texas. Introduced 1690.
Flower and Fruit Details
Flowers are monoecious, male catkins usually grouped in threes, reddish-brown, in April, visible throughout winter 1" long. Female visible in April. Fruits are inflated, membranous, w/ sharp hairs, oval, tan to brown, 0.75-1" long enclosing 0.33" long nutlets, June to October. Resembles the fruit of hops, hence the common name hophornbeam. The entire fruiting structure is about 2" long.
Leaf and Bark Features
Deciduous: Leaves alternate, simple, doubly & sharp serrated, with hairy on midrib and between the veins above, more pubescent beneath, apex acuminate, base rounded to cordate, veins branching at the ends near leaf margin, dark green, changing to yellow in the fall. Leaves are oval-lanceolate in shape. Petiole is 1/4" long, pubescent. Leaves drop early in the fall. Young stems slender, zigzag, reddish-brown, smooth & shiny, w/ 1/8-1/4" pointed buds. Bark is grayish-brown, often broken into narrow, longitudinal (vertical) strips which are free at each end.
Culture and Care
Transplant in early spring into a full sun or partial shade location w/ cool, moist, well-drained, slightly acid soil (pH 6.1-6.9) for ideal growth, but tolerates heavy clays and pH up to 8.0. Will also grow in dry, gravelly or rocky soil. Zones 3-9. Not tolerant of flooding or soil compaction. Urban tolerant. No serious disease or insect problems. Occasional canker, borers, leaf spots & powdery mildew.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
Strong branches resist breakage from wind or ice storms. 3-season interest: Spring, summer & fall.
Suggested Uses
Good shade tree, used well in city plantings, narrow tree lawns, home landscapes, parks, golf courses and naturalized areas.