Leaves

• 7.5-15 cm in length
• alternately oval or heart-shaped
• sharp-pointed, with fine, low rounded teeth that turn inward at the tip
• dark green above, pale green below
• rusty brown resinous blotches, round stalk

Fruit

• egg-shaped
• light brown pods about ½ cm in length
• contained in catkins, splitting in two parts to discharge small tufted seeds at maturity

Bark

• smooth greenish-brown at youth
• turning to dark-grey and deeply furrowed with flat topped rough ridges

General

• balsam-like odour from its buds
• grows up to 18 m in height
• 30-50 cm in diameter
• is easily distinguishable by its oval or heart-shaped leaves
• often found in association with White Birch, Balsam Fir, and various willows and alders
• grows best in rich, moist soils