Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
A couple of items there. American hophornbeam is referred to as ironwood commonly. That’s not a typo on the spelling. It grows in small tree form typically but can reach a few inches in diameter.American Hornbeam is tough stuff! That is the correct name for Ironwood in the US as you know. I doubt you need a permit to "harvest" a few straight pieces of ironwood.
A mature example has bark that looks like this, and yes, it’s extremely hard stuff. In fact the hardness and small diameter really limits its use in industrial applications.
American hornbeam on the other hand is a different species that is commonly referred to as muscle wood. That common name refers to the appearance of the bark. It literally looks like muscle. It can reach small tree size but I’m not sure on the use of the wood.
Local names sometimes differ from accepted common names, so I’m not trying to pick nits. But I’m a forester, so I can’t help myself.
As far as harvesting hophornbeam without a permit, for me it’d be on National Forest, and due to its limited numbers it may be a species of local concern and no harvesting is permitted. Or it may be considered a miscellanies forest product, requiring a permit. Either way I need to check and be on the up and up about it because harvesting without a permit when one is needed is considered stealing forest resources. That’s not a good idea for me. You can trust me on that.