STUDIES OF TREES IN WINTER 



delicate and pretty, the twigs are very slender, 

 and are tipped with the three little pointing 

 fingers of the catkins, and the whole tree pro- 

 duces a most pleasing effect. Although the 

 hop hornbeam frequents the woods, it never 

 makes even a small area its own. It is always 

 found mixed with other trees, and I have never 

 seen even a little grove of hop hornbeam trees 

 growing alone. 



The wood is very strong, hard, heavy, tough, 

 and durable, and is used for fence posts, the 

 handles of tools, and small articles. 



The generic name, Ostrya, comes from the 

 Greek ostryos (a scale), in reference to the 

 scaly catkins of the fruit. Virginiana is the 

 specific name for the North American hop 

 hornbeam as distinguished from the European 

 species, which it closely resembles. 



The hop hornbeam is found in rich woods 

 from Nova Scotia to Northern Florida, and 

 westward to Eastern Kansas. 



Hornbeam; A tree r tatt shmb IO to 2 5 

 Blue Beech feet high. Bark smooth and 



Carpinu, carolinlana 



and close-fitting. The buds are oval. Delicate 

 twigs, in flat, spreading layers. Alternate 

 leaf-scars. Fruit in clusters, leaf-like bracts, 

 holding little nuts. 



72 



