Sun: prefers full sun, can tolerate part shade

Soil: moist, fertile soil with ideal pH 6.5 or less (can develop chlorosis if pH is too high); thrives (lives longer, happier) in wet locations

Growth rate: moderate to fast (1-2 ft/yr)

Mature size: 40-70 ft. height, 40-60 ft. spread

Landscape use: riparian restoration (stabilize soil, prevent erosion), winter interest, shade tree

Fruit: small nutlet (2-4 in. long) that ripens in spring

Flower: catkins (male are longer, dark brown, clustered; female are shorter with bright green scales)

Fall color: yellow

Seasonal interest: unique peeling/curling bark, dark green leaves in spring/summer, yellow leaves in fall 

Sustaining wildlife: hosts 411 species of moth and butterflies including Luna, Io, Polyphemus, and Cecropia; provides food for animals year round - deer and browsers, birds (nuthatches, towhees, finches, and more) eat the seeds, flower buds, and bugs, and woodpeckers find insects in the winter

Planting notes: prune in summer because it bleeds if pruned in spring; can grow as single or multi-stemmed tree