Jack Straw said:
Thanks for the info, I have quite a bit of it. I wonder if I also have what they are calling Blue Beech. It is relatively small, with a muscular type build and hard as a rock. I have quite a bit of that also.
American Hornbeam,also called Blue Beech is closely related to HopHornbeam aka Ironwood.Its usually even smaller than IW,both are in the Birch family.Great fuel,one of the best.Early settlers used both woods for tool handles,levers used in moving heavy loads,mallets & wedges (one of my favs for chisel handles & mallets) and other small woodenware.
Ironwood rarely gets much over 12" diameter & 30' tall.I havent seen any around here over 8" max,unless its in a isolated protected spot.Hornbeam is a bit smaller.Both grow & survive in the understory of much larger trees such as various Oaks,Maples,Beech,Birch,Hickories etc.