Is this HopHornbeam?

[Dictionary]

I think it is. But i'm not sure. You can click on the pics to enlarge them..

[Dictionary]

Here's another better shot at the bark. Click to enlarge.

[toomanyknots]

It does look like hophornbeam to me too. Tough stuff.

[PatM]

Without a doubt. You can see the slight variations it has from tree to tree. Some have bark that breaks into rectangles and others it turns silvery and shaggy.

[TacticalFate]

yup, thats hophornbeam

[George Tsoukalas]

I think so but look at the bark. It will split out with a fearsome spiral. Jawge

[Dictionary]

I think it is, the bark looks right. Look for hops like seed pods and catkins to be sure.

Haven't noticed any pods. Maybe not at this time of the year or maybe not until the tree matures to a certain age does it develop them? This wood grows in small diameter saplings all over the place and in larger trees. A lot of the bark spirals around the larger trees.

[blackhawk]

That's one of my gripes about hophornbeam(although I do like it) is that you'll have to look at a number of trees before you find one that's bow worthy IMO. I believe the "hop" looking clusters are out in late spring and early summer only.

[Dictionary]

That's one of my gripes about hophornbeam(although I do like it) is that you'll have to look at a number of trees before you find one that's bow worthy IMO. I believe the "hop" looking clusters are out in late spring and early summer only.

I've had to cut many undesirable trees with small dips and instrusions all around the wood. We'll see in a couple of months time whether i can make a bow from such wood.

[blackhawk]

Hophornbeam is a tough wood(its not nicknamed Ironwood for nuttin),and can stand a lot of abuse and character...a lot of folks call it poor mans osage,but it still isn't osage..lol.