Leaves

• 4-7.5 cm. in length
• rounded, fine toothed with abrupt point on long-flattened stem
• shiny dark green on top, pale green below

Fruit

• greenish capsule about ½ cm. in length
• appears in May or June
• arranged in catkins containing small tufted seeds, opening at maturing

Bark

• smooth
• pale green with waxy appearance on young trees, turning grey
• rough and furrowed into long flat ridges with age

General

• a heavy, strong softwood
• one of the most widely distributed trees in North America
• averages 12 m. in height and 20-26 cm. in diameter
• grows on a variety of sites, often in pure stands
• not of commercial importance to Newfoundland
• favoured ornamental and a choice food for beaver
• often grows quickly on burnovers reproducing from root suckers – the main natural method of reproduction