Ironwood

Native Woodland Tree
Hop-Like Seed Clusters
Textured Winter Bark

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#15 Container

$361.00

4 in stock

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Clear

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$361.00

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We guarantee that your plants and trees will arrive happy and healthy. If you’re not satisfied after receiving your trees and plants, we’ll replace them at no cost to you. Trees and plants are living organisms and require care, maintenance, and protection to survive, root in, and establish properly. Trees that do not survive despite receiving the proper care, maintenance, and protection within the first year will be considered for a one-time replacement. If you purchased plants outside of your growing zone recommendation, or have not properly cared for your new plants as described in your welcome letter, your purchase won’t be covered by our Grasshopper guarantee.
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Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

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Ironwood

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

Ironwood

Ironwood is a native deciduous tree valued for rugged character, finely textured foliage, hop-like seed clusters, and attractive bark. This adaptable small to medium tree fits beautifully into woodland gardens, naturalized landscapes, shaded borders, and native plantings.

Why choose Ironwood?

Choose Ironwood for a durable, understated native tree with four-season landscape value. Its dense wood, textured leaves, shaggy bark, and papery seed clusters give it a natural woodland look that blends easily with shade gardens and informal landscapes. It is especially useful where a smaller native tree is desired beneath taller canopy trees or along the edge of a lawn, driveway, or naturalized border.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Ostrya virginiana
Common Name: Ironwood
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Growth Habit: Small to medium understory tree with a rounded to oval crown

Ironwood Additional Information

Ironwood, also known as Eastern Hop-Hornbeam or American Hop-Hornbeam, produces small spring catkins followed by distinctive hop-like seed clusters that add texture through the growing season. Its birch-like leaves are dark green in summer and may turn yellow to yellow-brown in fall. The bark becomes gray-brown and shaggy with age, giving the tree attractive winter interest after leaf drop.

This deciduous native tree is well suited for woodland edges, native gardens, naturalized borders, shaded lawns, and informal screens. It grows at a moderate to slow pace and is often appreciated for its tough wood, tidy scale, and ability to blend into layered plantings. Ironwood generally needs little pruning beyond removing damaged, crossing, or poorly placed branches. Its seeds can provide food for birds and small wildlife, while its natural form supports habitat-friendly landscapes.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Ironwood in partial shade to full sun with well-drained soil. It works especially well in woodland-edge settings, naturalized beds, and open areas where its canopy has room to develop.

2. Watering: Water deeply after planting and maintain even moisture during establishment. Once established, Ironwood adapts well to average conditions and benefits from supplemental watering during extended dry periods.

3. Mulching: Apply a 2–3 inch mulch layer over the root zone to conserve moisture, moderate soil temperature, and reduce weed competition. Keep mulch pulled back from the trunk.

4. Pruning: Prune during dormancy as needed to remove dead, damaged, crossing, or crowded branches. Allow the tree’s natural rounded form to develop with minimal shaping.

Related Resources

FAQs

How large does Ironwood get?
Ironwood usually grows as a small to medium deciduous tree, often reaching about 20–40 feet tall depending on soil, light, moisture, and site conditions.
Is Ironwood good for shade?
Yes. Ironwood is naturally suited to woodland and understory conditions, performing well in partial shade while also adapting to full sun when moisture and soil conditions are favorable.
Does Ironwood have flowers?
Ironwood produces small spring catkins rather than showy flowers. Its more noticeable ornamental feature is the papery, hop-like seed clusters that develop after bloom.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Lush Foliage
Partial Shade
Seasonal

Mature Height	Large: Up to 30 ft or more
Mature Spread	10-20 ft
Growth Rate	Slow
Botanical Name	Ostrya virginiana
Bloom Time	Late Spring, Early Spring
Deer Resistant	No
Family	Fabaceae
Flower Color	Green
Hardiness Zones	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Needs	Full Sun
Maintenance	Medium
Size	#15 Container

Green map of the United States with state boundaries outlined in black, all states shaded in green, on a white background.

Growing Zones 3-9 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -40)

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