Eastern Hophornbeam is a small tree with simple alternate, oval shaped leaves with doubly serrated margins. Hairy underside of leaves around the base of the petiole.
The fruit is very distinctive in that it resembles hops. The fruit is a small nutlet about a 1/4 inch long. The fruit matures in August but is persistant through winter.
Eastern hophornbeam bark has a shreddy appearance when older which can be broken into small plates long scales that are thin, and are easily removed.
Wildlife value is small with the nutlets being eaten by birds and small mammals.