Leaves are alternate, simple, single toothed, triangle shaped.
This is a fast-growing, relatively short-lived tree, sometimes reaching a height of 70 to 80 feet and a diameter of 24 inches or more.It has a tall, straight bole. In Iowa it is found mostly in the central and northeastern sections on moist soils. It is also known as Large-toothed aspen.
The single leaves are 3 to 4 inches long, with a dark green upper surface
and with large, coarse, irregular teeth. The buds are smaller than the cottonwood,
more or less pale and downy rather than resinous.
The fruit is a catkin like the cottonwood fruit but the capsules are smaller and darker in color, containing brown, fine, tufted seeds.
On branches and small trees the bark is light gray in color. On older trees
it is more yellowish or brown, breaking into dark gray to brownish-blackshallow
ridges near the base.
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