Family: Salicaceae, Willow view all from this family

Description The most widely distributed tree in North America; with a narrow, rounded crown of thin foliage.
Height: 40-70' (12-21 m).
Diameter: 1-1 1/2' (0.3-0.5 m).
Leaves: 1 1/4-3" (3-7.5 cm) long. Nearly round; abruptly short-pointed; rounded at base; finely saw-toothed; thin. Shiny green above, dull green beneath; turning golden-yellow in autumn before shedding. Leafstalks slender, flattened.
Bark: whitish, smooth, thin; on very large trunks becoming dark gray, furrowed, and thick.
Twigs: shiny brown; slender, hairless.
Flowers: catkins 1-2 1/2" (2.5-6 cm) long; brownish; male and female on separate trees; in early spring before leaves.
Fruit: 1/4" (6 mm) long; narrowly conical light green capsules in drooping catkins to 4" (10 cm) long; maturing in late spring and splitting in 2 parts. Many tiny cottony seeds; propagation is often by root sprouts rather than seeds.

Habitat Many soil types, especially sandy and gravelly slopes; often in pure stands and in western mountains in an altitudinal zone below spruce-fir forest.

Range Across N. North America from Alaska to Newfoundland, south to Virginia, and in Rocky Mountains south to S. Arizona and N. Mexico; from near sea level northward to 6500-10,000' (1981-3048 m) southward.

Discussion The names refer to the leaves, which in the slightest breeze tremble on their flattened leafstalks. The soft smooth bark is sometimes marked by bear claws. A pioneer tree after fires and logging and on abandoned fields, it is short-lived and replaced by conifers. Sometimes planted as an ornamental. Principal uses of the wood include pulpwood, boxes, furniture parts, matches, excelsior, and particle-board. The twigs and foliage are browsed by deer, elk, and moose, also by sheep and goats. Beavers, rabbits, and other mammals eat the bark, foliage, and buds, and grouse and quail feed on the winter buds.