Click on the images help you identify an ironwood.
Form
Height is 20 to 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 5 to 12 inches. Crown is generally rounded. Branches are long and slender, drooping at ends. Sometimes called “musclewood” for its extremely tough wood and “hophornbeam” for its hop-like fruit.
Bark
Light gray brown; furrowed and irregularly ridged.
Leaf
Simple, alternate on stem, length 2 to 4 inches. Generally oblong with narrow tip. Sharp, doubly toothed margins. Color is dark, dull, yellow green above and light yellow green below. Leaves turn dull yellow in autumn and often remain on the tree all winter.
Fruit (seed)
Occurs in clusters (catkins) resembling those of the common hop vine. Each sack contains one flattened, ribbed, hard nutlet about 1/3 inch long and 1/8 inch wide. Fruit ripens in July and August.
Range
Found mostly in rich, not-too-dry soil throughout the state, but scattered or absent near the western border. Very shade tolerant and slow growing. Frequently forms an understory in forests of mixed hardwoods. Relatively short-lived. Good replacement species after buckthorn removal.
Wood uses
Very strong, hard, heavy, durable, light brown with thick, pale sapwood. The wood is used for fence posts, handles of tools, mallets and other small articles, and fuel. Attractive ornamental tree.