it is a tree up to 30 m high, crown ovate, irregular
the branches of the last order droop!
shallow root system
yellow-brown to reddish-brown bark
the bork is white, matte, it peels off in transverse circular papery strips (especially in the middle part of the trunk), in the lower part of the trunk a solid, stony, dark gray to blackish bork is formed
Buds
they are arranged in a spiral
they are ovate, pointed, sessile
covering scales are multiple, reddish-brown, hairy along the edge, young ones are sticky
Shoots
they are dark brown, relatively thin with convex small warts – lenticels (but also without them)
Leaves (assimilation organs)
they are simple, 4 -6 x 2 - 4 cm large, rhombic to triangular with an elongated tip
wedge-shaped to truncated at the base, double-serrated along the edge
peduncle is 1 - 2 cm long
young leaves are sticky
Flowers
it is a monoecious woody plant, with flowers of different sexes
it blooms in III – IV
♂ catkins are cylindrical, about 1 - 2 cm long, they are established in autumn after 1 - 3
♂ catkins elongate (drooping) at the time of flowering, they are 30 - 60 x 6 - 8 mm large, cylindrical
♀ catkins grow from brachyblasts in spring, they are are erect, cylindrical, 15 - 20 x 2 - 3 mm in size
Fruits – seeds
the fruit is a 2-3 mm large winged achene, the membranous wing is 3 times wider than the seed
the achenes are grouped into a 2 - 3 x 1 cm large cone-shaped brood that disintegrates when ripe, the amniotic scales are three-lobed
it ripens in August
Extension
almost all of Europe and much of Siberia
in Slovakia from the lowest altitudes to 1,150 – 1,450 m above the sea level.
it is one of the first to settle clearings, unmaintained pastures, open areas
Ecology
it is light-loving woody plant of continental climate
it is undemanding to the nutrient content of the soil
it is tolerant to water in the soil (dry sites to swamps and peat bog
Significance
it is an important preparatory tree species
it is an important pioneering and fast-growing tree species
landscaping element
sapwood, light, suitable for furniture production and use in carving
it creates valuable forms – muscular, meshed wood
used in greening works
decorative forms are known (columnar, mourning, sheared, ...)
