VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Ostrya virginiana | Eastern Hophornbeam 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
The wood of eastern hophornbeam is strong, hard, heavy, and takes a fine
polish.  It is not harvested for timber because of its relatively small
size and scattered distribution.  The wood is used for posts, golf club
handles, tool handles, mallets, and woodenware [18,44].


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Throughout its range, eastern hophornbeam is browsed by white-tailed
deer only incidentally.  White-tailed deer usually browse more desirable
species when available [23,33].

Buds and catkins of eastern hophornbeam are important winter food for
ruffed grouse, and the nuts are a secondary food in the fall.  The nuts
are also a preferred food for sharp-tailed grouse and wild turkey, and
is eaten to a lesser extent by northern bobwhite, red and gray
squirrels, cottontails, ring-necked pheasant, purple finch, rosebreasted
grosbeak, and downy woodpecker [23,34].


PALATABILITY : 
Eastern hophornbeam browse is rated low in palatability to white-tailed
deer [13,16].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
The calcium content of the foliage of eastern hophornbeam is considered
high.  Concentrations frequently exceed 2 percent on the basis of
ovendry leaf weight.  Nitrogen concentrations range from moderate to
high but concentrations of phosphorus and potassium are usually low [23].


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Eastern hophornbeam exhibits fast juvenile growth, indicating its
potential to provide vegetative cover in areas that have been disturbed
by overstory cutting.  Great increases in eastern hophornbeam have
occurred after northern hardwood stands less than 40 years old were
clearcut [23].

Propagation:  The seed may be sown in either fall or spring.  Seed can
be planted immediately in the fall in mulched beds using straw or
leaves.  For spring sowing the seed may be stratified over winter in
sand or peat at 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5.6 deg C).  Seeds are usually
planted 0.25 inch (0.6 cm) deep in well-drained loamy soil.  Expected
germination is 85 to 90 percent [44].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Eastern hophornbean has been cultivated as an ornamental in the eastern
United States [44].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Eastern hophornbeam is considered a weed species throughout most of its
range.  It is usually discriminated against in stands managed for
timber.  Silviculturally, more interest has been given to eradicating
it.  Tordon 101 and 2,4,5,T, applied by mist blowing, have been
successful in killing eastern hophornbeam [23,24].

Damaging agents:  Eastern hophornbeam is relatively free of insect and
other disease problems.  The species is not readily injured by cold
temperatures until temperatures drop below 17 degrees Fahrenheit (8 deg
C).  It is sensitive to air pollutants.  In the upper Ohio River valley
it does not grow in areas with moderate levels of the oxides of sulfur,
nitrogen, chlorine, and fluorine.  The tough branches resist wind, snow,
and ice damage [6,23].

Related categories for Species: Ostrya virginiana | Eastern Hophornbeam