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Native Trees of Prince Edward IslandIronwood (Ostrya virginiana)
Description:
This member of the birch family is one of our rarest native trees. It is mainly found in scattered patches around Prince County, although there are small amounts in other areas. Also known as eastern hophornbeam, it is a relatively short-lived and small tree. It grows to be 40 ft. (12.5 m) tall and 12 in. (30 cm) in diameter, although it rarely reaches this size. It is a slender tree, with leaves like yellow birch, although ironwood leaves have teeth of two different sizes. The bark of ironwood is light brown and scaly, shredding off in narrow, curling strips.
Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana) leaf
Growing Conditions:
Ironwood prefers rich, moist soil and grows best in the partial shade of other trees.
Propagation:
In September, small, greenish seeds can be collected from the trees. The seeds are enclosed in a papery sac, with many sacs being held together in a cluster like true hops. When ready for harvest, the clusters will start to turn brown and some will drop to the ground. Pick seeds off the tree if possible. When you separate the seed from the sac, you might want to use thin gloves, since the sacs have fibreglass-like hairs that stick into your fingers. Plant seeds every 2 in. (5 cm) in rows 4 in. (10 cm) apart, at a depth of 1/8 in. (3 mm) and mulch for the winter. If the bed is in full sun, some form of shading should be provided during the growing season. Most seeds take two years to germinate but any that germinate the first summer should be transplanted to another bed. This avoids the problem of having older plants in the bed when seedlings are germinating the second year.
Ironwood bark
Wildlife Uses:
The buds and catkins of ironwood are used by ruffed grouse and red squirrels. The seeds are eaten by purple finch, rose-breasted grosbeak and other birds.
Areas of Usage:
This tree almost lives up to its name. Its wood is our hardest and heaviest and in the past was used for tool handles, sled runners, mallets, ladder rungs and firewood. However, until ironwood is much more common in our woodlands, it should be a protected species in almost all woodlands - it is critical that we keep as many sources of seed as possible. It is an excellent choice for underplantings or interplanting after a mixed wood thinning, and will help provide diversity of height in older forests. As well, it is a good for landscape plantings where there is shade.
Ironwood seeds
For more pictures and descriptions of this species, check out the Atlantic Forestry Centre, the CFS N.B. Trees Page and the Virtual Foliage Homepage. For a through review of the ecology, refer to the Silvics of North America.
In 1806, John Stewart wrote an excellent description of Forest Trees and Other Vegetable Productions on PEI at that time.
Read more here.
We offer a number of workshops and guided tours at the Macphail Woods and it is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the native trees of Prince Edward Island. Check out the Events Calendar for more information. Web development and maintenance by Chris Martin.
