Comparisons: The blue beech or hornbeam is often confused with the ironwood or hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana). The ironwood, however, has a characteristic bark that peels in perpendicular, short, thin segments, often loose at the ends. See [Fig. 55]. This is entirely different from the close, smooth, and fluted bark of the blue beech. The color of the bark in the ironwood is brownish, while that of the blue beech is bluish-gray. The buds of the ironwood are greenish with brown tips, while the bud of the blue beech shows no green whatever.
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
Distinguishing characters: The tree may be told readily from other trees by the corky tubercles on the bark of the lower portion of the trunk. See [Fig. 56].
Leaf: Has three predominating veins and is a bit more developed on one side than on the other.
Form and size: A small or medium-sized tree with a single stem and broad conical crown.
Range: United States and Canada.
Soil and location: Grows naturally in fertile soils, but will adapt itself to almost sterile soils as well.
Enemies: The hackberry is usually free from disease, though often its leaves are covered with insect galls.
Value for planting: It is extensively planted as a shade tree in the Middle West, and is frequently seen as an ornamental tree in the East.
Commercial value: It has little economic value except for fuel.