Scientific name: The scientific name for the Hophornbeam is the Ostrya virginiana.

Height: The Hophornbeam can grow to be 20-30 feet tall.

Bark: The bark is gray and it has narrow rounded ridges covered with scales .

Leaves:  The leaves are egg shaped, hairy, sharp-toothed and 2-3 inches long.  They look something like Yellow Birch leaves .

Fruit: The fruit is 1 1/2 - 2 inches long and 3/4 inch wide.  It has a ribbed nutlet that occurs in clusters. It ripens in September .

Wood: The wood is used for levers, mallets, tool handles, and chopping blocks.  The wood is close-grained, heavy and very strong.

Soil: The Hophornbeam's soil is dry and gravelly.

Flowers: The flowers occur in catkins. They open with the buds of the leaves.