Natural Habitat: Riverbanks, floodplains, gravel bars, moist bottomlands, riparian forests and well‑watered valleys
Foliage / Flowers: Deciduous tree typically 60-120 ft tall. Leaves are triangular to ovate, 3-6 in long, glossy green above and pale beneath. Catkins appear in early spring before leaves, producing cottony seeds.
Light Requirements: Full sun
Growth Rate: Fast
20-year Height: 30-50 ft depending on moisture and soil quality
Elevation Range: Common from sea level to about 6,000 ft on the west side of the Rockies
Cold Hardiness: USDA Zones 3 to 7
Fire Tolerance: Low to moderate, bark offers limited protection but trees may resprout from the base
Wind Tolerance: High, performs well along waterways and in wind‑exposed valleys
Soil Preference: Moist to wet alluvial soils, loams, silts and sands, thrives along streams and groundwater zones
Alkali / Saline Soil Tolerance: Low to moderate
Life Span: Typically 70-150 years
Minimum Annual Precip: Performs best with 20-40 in of moisture or reliable groundwater
Drought Tolerance: Low, requires consistent soil moisture
Windbreak Spacing: 12-20 ft
Potential Pests / Disease: Aphids, leaf rust, cytospora canker, borers
Deer Resistance: Low, young shoots frequently browsed
Wildlife Value:
- Supports numerous insects including caterpillars, leaf miners and beetles
- Provides nesting and foraging habitat for riparian bird species
- Cavities in older trees used by owls, woodpeckers and small mammals
- Leaves, buds and twigs browsed by deer, elk and beaver
- Contributes shade and leaf litter important for aquatic ecosystems
