Advice Request: One Of My American Hornbeam / Ironwood Trees

[BigBen]

Hello All,
I hope everyone is doing well!!!
Now, I FINALLY have more time to enjoy our beloved hobby (I Just Retired).
First American Hornbeam / Ironwood tree for me.
Yes, this is a tough question to answer just by seeing a few photos, BUT any ideas as to which way I should go with this one?
I have a few more similar to this one.
I do see some potential and I have several ideas, but input USUALLY helps. LOL…
Felco’s are there for size reference.

Thank you in advance!!!
Ben

 

[AshleyMammal]

Lose some high/crossing/ugly roots and chop way down low.

My humble, non-expert opinion

 

[pandacular]

The two biggest challenges I see with this tree are the roots + initial rise of the tree and the long length of trunk before the first branches. I think both of these issues could be resolved with a ground/air-layer, perhaps right around where the tip of the pruners meet the trunk.

 

[BigBen]

The two biggest challenges I see with this tree are the roots + initial rise of the tree and the long length of trunk before the first branches. I think both of these issues could be resolved with a ground/air-layer, perhaps right around where the tip of the pruners meet the trunk.

Thank you!

Hmmm…
I didn’t even think about doing an air layering!
That way, I could use both parts & see how it goes.

 

[BobbyLane]

I wouldn't chop it or ground layer it. I think the material is suited to be a leaning tree, maybe a tree leaning over a river bank. The one sided root formation is akin to a tree a tree leaning over with strong anchoring roots keeping it stable.
Maximise what you have rather than trying to turn it into something it isn't.

 

[Gabler]

I don't think that's a Carpinus sp. It might be Ostrya virginiana or it could be some kind of elm.

 

[BigBen]

I don't think that's a Carpinus sp. It might be Ostrya virginiana or it could be some kind of elm.

According to the app., it’s an American Hornbeam.

 

[BigBen]

I wouldn't chop it or ground layer it. I think the material is suited to be a leaning tree, maybe a tree leaning over a river bank. The one sided root formation is akin to a tree a tree leaning over with strong anchoring roots keeping it stable.
Maximise what you have rather than trying to turn it into something it isn't.
View attachment 511166View attachment 511167

Thank you very much for your input.
I’ll take a closer at going the leaning route, once the rain stops, here on Long Island.

 

[pandacular]

According to the app., it’s an American Hornbeam.

apps are a decent first step, but they really just get you in the ballpark. if you want certainty, you’ll need to work through a taxonomic key.

 

[Gabler]

According to the app., it’s an American Hornbeam.

I guess that means your app is wrong.

 

[BigBen]

I guess that means your app is wrong.

It could be.
However I don’t think it’s Ostrya Virginiana, as I haven’t seen it produce those hop type of clusters.

 

[Gabler]

It could be.
However I don’t think it’s Ostrya Virginiana, as I haven’t seen it produce those hop type of clusters.

I'm not really familiar with hop hornbeam, but I'm confident's it's not a Carpinus, so that was my next guess. There's a lot of species with leaves that shape, and it's tough to identify trees by bark unless you've seen a lot of that particular species.

 

[Shogun610]

Hornbeam (pants excessively) where where

That is a Hop Hronbeam


This is an American hornebam , the bark is smoother , yours is rougher

Spelling errors are purposeful

 

[GreatLakesBrad]

Agree re: not carpinus … bark does look closer to Ostrya.

I collected a hop hornbeam a few years ago and no clusters yet for what it’s worth. Need a closer look at leaves to confirm.

I quite like the root system on this one!

 

[BigBen]

Agree re: not carpinus … bark does look closer to Ostrya.

I collected a hop hornbeam a few years ago and no clusters yet for what it’s worth. Need a closer look at leaves to confirm.

I quite like the root system on this one!

Good Morning,
I just took a few leaf-shots…
Hopefully these will help us identify the mystery guest. LOL…
Thanks again!