Practical
Plants

Ostrya virginiana

Ironwood

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Ostrya genus in the family Betulaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Ostrya
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
15 m
Spread
12 m
Flower type
monoecious

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bark is astringent, blood tonic and haemostatic[7]. A decoction of the bark is used to bathe sore muscles[7]. An infusion of the bark can be held in the mouth to relieve the pain of toothache[7]. An infusion of the heartwood has been used in the treatment of lung haemorrhages, coughs and colds, catarrh and kidney problems[7]. It is also used as a herbal steam bath in the treatment of rheumatism[7].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Blood tonic
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Pectoral

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Wood - close-grained, very hard, very strong, durable. It weighs 51lb per cubic foot. The wood is of a very high quality but the tree is not large enough to be used commercially. It is used locally for posts, mallets, tool handles and applications where resistance to wear is essential[2][9][10][12][1][4][5][6]. A very good fuel, though it is almost impossible to split[4].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Manitoba, Nebraska, Florida and Texas.
Habitat
Rich moist woods[8][5], it is also found on dry gravelly slopes and ridges, often in the shade of oaks and other large trees[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it normally germinates in spring. The germination rate is variable but usually good[11]. 'Green' seed, harvested when the embryo has fully formed but before the outer coat has dried, sown immediately in a cold frame germinates very well. Stored seed requires stratification, 3 months warm then 5 months cold usually works well but germination can take 18 months[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils[2].Thrives in any good loam, including chalk[3], it does not demand much light. Prefers a deep open loam. A rather slow-growing tree[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].

References

  1. Haywood. V. H. Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-217674-9

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649

    ↩1↩2

  5. Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0292780206

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩

  7. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

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  9. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  10. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  11. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

  12. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2

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