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Characteristics
 Family-
Betulaceae--The Birch Family
- Origin
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Native NC
- Plant Description
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Deciduous tree to 30 feet; leaves alternate, simple, elliptical with finely toothed margins; flowers March and April, in catkins, not ornamental; fruits evident during summer and fall, a pendent cluster of nutlets with leafy 3-lobed bracts.
- Ornamental Characteristics
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Beautiful, "muscular" smooth gray bark, fall color may be yellow to orange.
- Landscape Use
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A beautiful small, specimen tree or tall screen. Very tolerant of moist to wet soils.
- Horticultural Cultivars
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None.
- Availability/Propagation
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Available in specialty nurseries, transplant seedlings from the wild (with permission); propagate from seed collected in late August and sown immediately.
- Culture
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Partial shade to full sun, in moist soils.
- Coastal Ecology
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Ironwood is a common component of the maritime forest, growing as a shade tolerant understory tree beneath live oaks and pines. It is not tolerant of salt spray, but tolerates wet soils and periodic flooding. The common name "ironwood" comes from its very hard wood, historically made into tool handles and oxen yokes.
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