Ostrya virginiana
Common Name: Ironwood
Also known as Hop-hornbeam, Ironwood is a small to medium-sized understory tree reaching 20 to 50 feet tall. It thrives in well-drained upland forests and woodland edges, often in shaded conditions. The bark has a distinctive shreddy appearance, and the tree produces hop-like seed clusters. The name Ironwood comes from its extremely hard and durable wood. Ironwood is prized in landscaping for its durability, tolerance of shade, and attractive form, making it a good choice for naturalized woodland gardens or as a shade-tolerant ornamental.