This small deciduous tree has a single trunk with dark brown bark and spreading branches that form a rounded crown. It has dark green lanced-shaped toothed leaves that turn yellow during autumn and the pendulous yellow male flowers appear in spring.

Hardiness zones 3 to 9 

Ostrya virginiana is naturally found in eastern North America growing in well-drained fertile drier soils in an open sunny position and is drought tender and frost tolerant.  

The American Hop Hornbeam is not commonly cultivate ornamentally, but is grown for its autumn colour and is planted in parks or gardens or botanical collections as a specimen. It is suitable for inland regions and establishes in 3 to 5 years. The crown is conical but becomes broad with age and the timber is heavy and hard. ID 1746

Note:
The hard timber is used for fence posts or mallets and commonly called ironwood.

Ostrya (ost-RYA) virginiana (ver-GIN-ee-ana)

Betulaceae (BE-tul-AY-see-ee)
Birch