New Trees in Town

We have a new street tree on the Redgate Avenue side of Ohef Sholom Temple, outside the Sanctuary. This tree along with several others was planted in the Stockley Gardens area last November by Norfolk City Forester Steve Traylor, the Ghent Neighborhood League, and Norfolk Master Gardeners.

The new addition is an Ostrya virginiana which is also called Hophornbeam or Ironwood and is a native tree. One of the common names, Hophornbeam, comes from the shape of the fruit which resembles the hops that are used to make beer. The name Ironwood evolved because of the hardness of the tree’s wood. The wood is suitable for tool handles.

This tree is a member of the birch family. It is a slow growing understory tree that can get to be as tall as 30 feet. The species can live in sun or partial sun. It has both male and female blossoms. Female blossoms are not very noticeable, but the catkins or male blossoms hang down in long clusters in the early spring.

This deciduous tree has oblong-shaped leaves which turn yellow-gold before they drop in the fall, revealing the tree’s structure and bark. The leaf edge is finely serrated. The bark starts out smooth but becomes rough with age. 

The City of Norfolk has committed to increasing the tree coverage by giving away, replacing, and adding new trees. They are also trying to create more diversity to the tree canopy, which currently is dominated by oak trees. Our temple has committed to be an environmentally conscious congregation. This new tree is good for the environment, is part of repairing the world, and will help the city reach its goal. If you are interested in planting trees and do not know how, there is a short demonstration with Steve Traylor on the https://youtu.be/DWl90V0yLxY

There is no better time than NOW to plant a tree for future generations.