Eastern hop-hornbeam, Ironwood

This tree grows 7 to 12 m tall under suitable conditions. Its straight, narrow trunk is covered in greyish-brown bark, broken into narrow rectangular strips, loose at both ends. The twigs are slender and shiny dark reddish-brown. The pointed buds are greenish-brown and slightly hairy, spreading from the twig. The alternate leaves are arranged in two rows along the twig. They are ovate, acuminate and double-toothed. They are dark yellowish-green above and paler and hairy beneath. In autumn they turn yellow, bright orange or scarlet red. The flowers are grouped in greenish catkins. The fruit forms drooping clusters resembling hops. Small white or greenish sacs form clusters 4 to 5 cm long. Each sac contains a seed called a nutlet.