Ostrya virginiana, or ironwood, also known as eastern hophornbeam, is a native tree to Ontario with a natural range from Nova Scotia west to southern Manitoba and eastern Wyoming, southeast to northern Florida and southwest to eastern Texas. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, it prefers slightly acidic, moist, fertile, well-drained soils but can tolerate dry, gravelly soils once established. It is slow to establish and difficult to transplant, so careful site selection is key. Though it may drop papery seed clusters, leaves, and peel bark, it�s a resilient and adaptable tree perfect for shaded, undisturbed areas. It is not salt-tolerant, so avoid planting in areas with high salinity.