Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Elliptic to ovate with an asymmetrical base and a sharply acuminate tip
Margin
Doubly serrate (coarsely toothed with smaller teeth along the primary teeth)
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement along the twig, often with a very short petiole
Venation
Pinnate venation with straight, parallel veins running prominently from the central midrib to the margin
Key Features
Distinctively strongly asymmetrical leaf base where one side of the blade meets the petiole much lower than the other, combined with doubly serrate margins and prominent straight parallel veins
Description
An iconic deciduous tree known for its grand, vase-shaped canopy and arching branches that once formed majestic archways over American streets. The bark is dark gray with deep, diamond-shaped ridges. Leaves are notably askew at the base, turning a brilliant yellow in the fall before dropping.
Habitat
Bottomland forests, floodplains, riverbanks, and rich moist soils, though highly adaptable to various urban growing conditions
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, stretching from Nova Scotia west to Alberta, and south to Florida and Texas