Identification:
Leaves—alternate, simple orbicular to ovate, pinnately veined, large blunt teeth, petiole flattened vertically, green above and paler below
Twigs—medium-textured, gray-brown; buds are ovate, pointed, red-brown to gray with some pubescence; leaf scars raised and heart-shaped
Flowers—dioecious occurs on hanging, fuzzy catkins, appears before the leaves in early spring
Fruit—cottony seeds, borne in small dehiscent capsules occurring along with catkins, matures late spring to early summer
Bark—thin, gray, olive-green to milky green and smooth on young stems; later gray-brown, ridged with diamond-shaped lenticels and splits forming
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Natural History:
Lifespan—100 years
General Description—A medium-sized tree with an irregular, thin crown and a straight bole.
Natural distribution and habitat—Found in successional forests, after fire or logging. It’s also found in successional fields, roadsides, and forest edges, as well as stream banks and openings in forests.
Conservation status—Least Concern (LC)
Uses—The wood is primarily used for pulp. It’s also manufacturing particle wood and structural panels. The bark is pelletized for fuel and supplemental cattle feed. This tree has a very limited number of edible uses. The inner bark reportedly can be dried, ground into a powder, and used as a thickener in soups. Medicinal uses of this tree are also limited. Native Americans have reportedly used the bark for treating rheumatism and fevers.