Ironwood; Hop hornbeam

Photo taken 27-Sep-06 Watkins Mill State Park
Ironwood; Hop hornbeam
Ostrya virginiana

Here is another link the bark that I see is more shredy than is shown here.

An elm like leaf with fruit pods grouped together.
The bark is usually shredy and the wood is harder than Oak, Hickory, Osage orange. The only wood harder is Flowering dogwood.
The tree grows up to 24 feet tall.

In the woods I walk in I see this understory tree often.

Muscle wood Carpinus caroliniana is a similar tree.