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Description
Ostrya Virginiana is a deciduous tree that is native to North America. It is commonly known by the names American hophornbeam, ironwood, and Eastern hophornbeam. The tree can grow up to 50 feet tall and spread out up to 25 feet wide. It has a compact, pyramidal crown and smooth, gray bark with horizontal lines. The leaves are dark green, with a toothed margin and a pointed tip. The tree produces small flowers in the spring, followed by small nutlets that are enclosed in papery bracts.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Fagales |
| Family | Betulaceae |
| Genus | Ostrya |
Appearance
Ostrya Virginiana is a medium-sized, deciduous tree that can grow up to 50 feet tall and spread out up to 25 feet wide. The tree has a compact, pyramidal crown and smooth, gray bark with horizontal lines. The leaves are dark green, with a toothed margin and a pointed tip. They are about 2-4 inches long and 1-2 inches wide. In the fall, the leaves turn yellow or brown. The tree produces small flowers in the spring, which are not very showy. The flowers are followed by small nutlets that are enclosed in papery bracts. The nutlets are about 0.5 inches long and are edible.
Care Guide
Ostrya Virginiana is a low-maintenance tree that is easy to care for. Here are some tips for caring for this tree:Water: The tree prefers moist, well-drained soil. Water the tree deeply once a week during the growing season.Fertilization: The tree does not require much fertilizer. Fertilize the tree once a year with a balanced fertilizer.Soil: The tree prefers well-drained, loamy soil. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types.Sunlight: The tree prefers full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate some shade.Hardiness Zones: Ostrya Virginiana is hardy in USDA zones 3-9.
Common Pests & Diseases
Ostrya Virginiana is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. However, it can be susceptible to some pests and diseases, including:Borers: The tree can be attacked by borers, which can cause damage to the trunk and branches.Cankers: The tree can be susceptible to cankers, which are caused by fungal infections. Cankers can cause dead areas on the trunk and branches.Scales: The tree can be attacked by scales, which can cause yellowing and dropping of leaves.
Habitat
Ostrya Virginiana is native to North America and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and stream banks. The tree prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It is commonly found in the eastern and central regions of the United States.
Question and Answer
Q: Is Ostrya Virginiana a good shade tree?
A: Yes, Ostrya Virginiana is a good shade tree. It has a compact, pyramidal crown that provides good shade.Q: Can Ostrya Virginiana be grown in containers?
A: No, Ostrya Virginiana is not suitable for container growing. It requires a lot of space to grow and develop.Q: Does Ostrya Virginiana have any medicinal properties?
A: Yes, Ostrya Virginiana has medicinal properties. The bark and leaves are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments.Q: Is Ostrya Virginiana a fast-growing tree?
A: No, Ostrya Virginiana is a slow-growing tree. It can take several years to reach its full height.
Related Plants
Here are some related plants to Ostrya Virginiana:- Betula nigra (River Birch)- Carpinus caroliniana (American Hornbeam)- Corylus colurna (Turkish Filbert)- Fagus grandifolia (American Beech)- Quercus rubra (Red Oak)
References
– “Ostrya virginiana.” Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed May 11, 2021. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286912&isprofile=0&.- “Ostrya virginiana.” Plants of the World Online. Accessed May 11, 2021. http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:295463-2.- “Ostrya virginiana.” USDA Plants Database. Accessed May 11, 2021. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=OSVI.
