Ironwood (American Hophornbeam) Ostrya virginiana Leaf Mature General Attributes Plant Community Type Deciduous Tree Sun Partial Sun, Shade Height 25 - 45 Feet Orientation North, East Spread 20 - 35 Feet Soil Texture Sandy Loam to Clay Form Conical Topography Upland Utility Lines Compatible Plant Community Forest, Shaded Cliff Growth Rate Slow Succession Climax Life Expectancy Long Origin MSA Zone 1, MSA Zone 2, USDA Zone 3 - 9 MSA Zone 3, MSA Zone 4, MSA Zone 5, MSA Zone 6, Root Pattern Deep Lateral Minnesota, North America Flowers/Foliage/Fruits Soils Flower Color Brown Salt Spray Tolerance Sensitive Flower Season Spring Soil Salt Tolerance Sensitive Fruit Samara Compaction Tolerance Intolerant Fruit Color Tan, Light Brown Water Table 24 Inches Fruit Season Summer Drainage Excessive, Moderate Flood Tolerance Summer Texture Medium Drought Tolerance Sensitive Winter Texture Medium Moisture Regime Dry, Moist, Wet Spring Foliage Green pH 6.1 through 8.0 Summer Foliage Green Windbreak Group Fall Foliage Yellow Winter Foliage Not Applicable 1 Ironwood (American Hophornbeam) Ostrya virginiana Planting Ease Maintenance Spring Bareroot Difficult Formal Low Fall Bareroot Difficult Informal Low Spring Container Easy 2,4-D Tolerance Sensitive Fall Container Easy Dicamba Tolerance Sensitive Picloram Tolerance Sensitive Spring Seed Clopyralid Tolerance Fall Seed Artificial Light Sulfur Dioxide Ozone Tolerance Hydrogen Flouride Nitrogen Oxide Pests/Problems Miscellaneous Allergens males 7, females 7 Wildlife Rating Low Invasiveness Invasive Insect Concerns Minor Toxicity Disease Concern Minor Cold Injury Not Susceptible Wildlife Concerns Storm Damage Not Susceptible Biological Control Mechanical Control Chemical Control Comments Good medium sized tree for street or lawn. Hop-like fruit adds interest in late summer. Bare root difficult to establish and require sweating, so best to plant balled and burlapped stock. Bark Dormant 2 Ironwood (American Hophornbeam) Ostrya virginiana Flower Fall Fruit 3.