This is a widespread eastern species. Most material in Ky. has not been checked carefully, but var. virginiana is clearly predominant over typical caroliniana. Although probably present throughout most of the state before settlement, the species has largely disappeared from more agricultural or residential regions. It may have declined much in these landscapes due to exploitation of its hard heavy wood ("ironwood") for tool handles. Also, despite the high tannin content of this species, and its potential resistance or recovery when browsed (e.g. Liang & Seagle 2002, Asnani et al. 2006), some mammalian herbivores may reduce it through repeated cutting or browsing (e.g. Nixon & Ely 1969, Collins & Carson 2003, Bressette et al. 2012, Rossell et al. 2013).