Ostrya virginiana

Ironwood
Ostrya virginiana  

Height: 10-12 m

Width: 7-8 m

Zone: 3

Exposure: Sun to shade

Upright, rounded to oval canopy.  Reddish-brown male flowers and greenish female flowers precede the leaves.  Dark green, birch-like leaves increase in size toward the end of a twig.  Fall foliage is pale yellow, with an early leaf drop.  Hop-like seeds sometimes persist through the winter.

A strong, uniform tree without any serious pests or diseases. This tree is ideal for any landscape setting and tolerant of shady areas. 

Native to Ontario and parts of North America.

Female catkins are followed by drooping clusters of sac-like seed-bearing pods which, as the common name suggests, somewhat resemble the fruit of hops.