Hornbeam Ostrya virginiana
I stopped and rested against a Hornbeam tree. The tree has shreddy bark. It doesn't grow very large. The leaves resemble an elm, the end buds are false. (false end buds are not located at the tip of the twig) The bud scales of elm are arranged in 2 vertical rows while the bud scales of Hornbeam are not in rows.
This tree is more noticeable in the winter than the summer. I guess that is because I am looking at the bark more in the winter than the summer. Peterson's Guide book gives the diameter from 6”-12” but I have never seen a 6” Hornbeam tree.
The Trees of Missouri guide calls Ostrya virginiana a Eastern Hophornbeam and American Hornbeam is Carpinus caroliniana but this must be a mistake because all the internet sites call the Ostrya virginiana a Hornbeam. Anyway this is why there is a scientific nomenclature.
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