American Hophornbeam Tree Fruit

[Barney Bear]

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. 🍃

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Originally Posted by Barney Bear

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. 🍃

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.

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

[Bear Guy]

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

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Originally Posted by Bear Guy

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

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


Birch and Steamboat Islands

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Bear Guy

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

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!

>

[WJT2]

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.