About Ostrya knowltonii Coville
Ostrya knowltonii Coville is a tree species with the common names Knowlton's hophornbeam, western hophornbeam, woolly hophornbeam, and wolf hophornbeam. It is also counted among the many tree species referred to as ironwood. This species is native to Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in the United States, where it has a localized and sporadic distribution. It grows as a tree reaching a maximum height of 9 to 12 meters. It has a short trunk that divides into many crooked branches, and it bears a rounded crown. Its bark is brownish gray, furrowed into scales or strips. Its leaves can grow up to 6.3 centimeters long and have serrated edges. Male and female flowers grow in separate catkins: male catkins reach up to 3 centimeters long, while female catkins reach up to 1 centimeter long. The plant produces a nutlet as its fruit. Ostrya knowltonii grows across the American Southwest, including the rims of the Grand Canyon. Its typical habitats are oak woodlands, pinyon-juniper woodlands, and Ponderosa pine forests, and it grows in sunny, dry locations. The wood of this tree is hard and tough, and can be used to make durable items such as fence posts and tool handles.
