American Hophornbeam Tree Fruit
 

American Hophornbeam Tree, Also known as ironwood.

While hiking on Rattlesnake Island a few weeks ago, I came across this really interesting and beautiful tree that was flowering. I could not figure out what it was, but UNH Cooperative Extension did.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1d45e806d4.jpg

If I am not mistaken, the bridge between Birch and Steamboat island is made from this type of tree.

http://mlp.arboretum.purdue.edu/webo...1#.WXovaoTyuUl

Small World
 

Thanks for this information. Fifty years ago, we transplanted a small tree from the woods behind our cottage on East Bear Island and planted it in front. This beautiful tree is now about thirty-five feet tall with several sweeping branches and is currently in bloom. It is a hornbeam tree. 🍃

Hi RG!

"Ironwood"... I thought that wood nickname was strictly used for the tropical hardwood wood known as "IPE".... this wood is so dense it does not float and extremely difficult to cut!! I actually have a lot of experience with this stuff and it really is crazy hard to work with.

This other "ironwood" you speak of sounds interesting especially since it thrives so close to us!

Thank you for teaching me something I never knew and so local to us both!

Dan

"ironwood"
 

An interesting example of the perils of using common names for plants. Wikipedia lists no less than 29 different trees (representing 26 different genera), the wood from which bears the common name "ironwood". 23 of these actually have the word "ironwood" in the trees' names.

Rattlesnake Gal's American hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) is in a totally different genus from the American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) found in southern New Hampshire. Both are commonly referred to as "ironwood". Ishoot308's "ipe" comprises the entire genus Tabebuia, which is native to Central and South America. :)

Makes wonderful firewood. Have a nice stand of ironwood and I cut some selectively every few years. It's in a small valley that is very dense so the trees grow very straight and tall.

I discovered have a few of these in our yard. Unfortunately, I had a small one next to my driveway I had to cut down this week. I noticed how the flowers look like hops flowers and found too they're called a hophornbeam. They are really neat looking. I don't think I can brew beer with it.

Also known as lever wood. Beau coup on the south side of the Ossipees.

Birch Island/Steamboat Island Bridge
 

The bridge connecting these two islands was made of Hornbeam wood. It was built by Captain Leander Lavallee back in the 1920's. Leander was Captain Ed Lavallee's father, Ed was Captain of the Mount and also the Mail Boat. It has stood the trials of time until it was replaced a few years ago. "Wishing Bridge".

Catkins...Little Cats?
 

Now Rattlesnake Gal's thread has me wondering if I correctly identified the falling yellow catkins I previously wrote were from a Black Birch. :confused: Black Birch is heavy, and, like HopHornbeam, also sinks in water. The leaves are very similar, so now I have to wander off into my woods to check the bark. :rolleye1:

Yes, to the proliferation of "Ironwood" as a common name. I've planted a few "Ironwood" in Florida—donated free by the power company to shade two-story houses from intense afternoon sun. (Florida's native "Ironwood" grows straight and tall).

http://www.farmnetworksllc.com/sitei...ree%20farm.jpg

As to Tabebuia, it's been widely transplanted to Southern Florida. I don't know of a more spectacular flowering tree. :eek2:

Even as it drops its flowers, Tabebuia brightens the ground where they fall:

https://img1.etsystatic.com/109/0/95...75297_laqc.jpg

:look:

Q: When is best time to plant a tree?

A: Twenty years ago.

.

Hornbeam and Hophornbeam Trees
 

Hornbeam and Hophornbeam Trees

After a bit of research, I discovered that hophornbeam and hornbeam are a variation of the same species. Surprisingly, these ironwood trees are related to the very soft birch! From what I gather, hornbeam is a prettier tree, from a symmetrical standpoint.

As it turns out, we have many on Rattlesnake Island, now that I know what to look for. :laugh:

WJT2 is correct that Hornbeam was used for the previous bridge between Birch and Steamboat Islands.

This web posting about the rebuilding of the Birch-Steamboat bridge states the old bridge was made with red oak, not hornbeam.
https://www.houzz.com/projects/191818/steamboat-bridge

Bridge
 

Then Bruce Heald and The Gilford Historical Society have it wrong. ;)


Birch and Steamboat Islands

It's Not Around...
 

I think I know why the contractor found "...the old bridge was made with red oak"... ;)

There's not enough hornbeam available for use in construction! :eek:

>

Hornbeam Bridge
 

I have great faith in Bruce Heald and the many HISTORIANS of Birch and Steamboat Islands. Always referred tom as Iron Wood and built by Leander Lavallee as he was so commissioned by W. E. Tucker in 1933. I am sure there are some Birch Islanders who visit this forum..please chime in. Also Merrill Fay
will have some recollection of this.

American Hophornbeam Tree Fruit
 

I did not realize there were hiking trails on Rattlesanke! How do you access ... I'd love to see the tree!


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Hiking Rattlesnake Island
 

Hiking Rattlesnake Island - You can join Lakes Region Conservation Trust and use their dock on the southern end of the island.