HABIT.—Usually a low, bushy tree or large shrub, 10-30 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 6-12 inches; trunk short, usually fluted; slender zigzag branches and a fine spray form a close, flat-topped crown.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 2-4 inches long and one-half as broad; ovate to oval, long-pointed; sharply doubly serrate; thin and firm; dull green above, lighter beneath, turning scarlet and orange in autumn; petioles short, slender, hairy.
FLOWERS.—May, after the leaves; monoecious; apetalous; the staminate catkins 1-1-1/2 inches long, their scales greenish, boat-shaped, each bearing 3-20 stamens; the pistillate catkins 1/2-3/4 inch long, their scales hairy, greenish, each bearing 2 pistils with long, scarlet styles.
FRUIT.—Ripens in midsummer, but often remains on the tree long after the leaves have fallen; in loose, terminal strobiles; involucre halberd-shaped, inclosing a small, ovate, brownish nut.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds 1/8 inch long, narrow-ovoid, acute, puberulous, brownish.
BARK.—Twigs pale green, hairy, becoming lustrous, dark red the first winter; trunk and large limbs thin, smooth, close, dark bluish gray, often mottled with lighter or darker patches.
WOOD.—Heavy, hard, tough, very strong, close-grained, light brown, with thick, whitish sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Common throughout the state.
HABITAT.—Prefers a deep, rich, moist soil along the borders of streams and swamps. Often found in drier situations in the shade of other trees.
NOTES.—Propagated from seed. Not easily transplanted. Slow of growth. Seldom found in masses.