Catscratch, AKA Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) seems like a worthy name because the bark is roughed and jagged, appearing that a cat had been at work scratching. Copyright 2019 Pamela BreitbergOn this morning’s walk I spotted these unique hanging fruits from an often walked-past pair of trees. How have I missed noticing them before now? These Hop Hornbeam flowers are the females; male flowers may appear on the same tree but look quite different. Coopyright 2019 Pamela BreitbergThe bark of the Hop Hornbeam is dense and used to make bows, fence posts and tool handles. I prefer keeping these two trees in tact for ornimental use only. Copyright 2019 Pamela Breitberg
