Ostrya virginiana – Hop Hornbeam; Ironwood – 3-Gallon

A very graceful small tree usually found in the woodland understory on drier slopes, making it a perfect choice for dry shade. Bark on older trees becomes shaggy. Female catkins form seed cones that look like Hops, hence one of the common names. The very hard wood had a variety of purposes such as sleigh runners, hence the other common name. Seeds are taken by many year-round resident birds such as chickadees and titmice.