Habitat and Distribution

Small to mid-height deciduous tree in stands and clumps due to proliferous spread of suckers from roots; bark greenish to white darker near base; buds non resinous or fragrant; leaf obovate and sharp tipped, 3 to 7.5 cm long finely round toothed flattened stalks; flowers form drooping catkins (Moss 1983). Plants live to 80 years (Government of the Northwest Territories n.d.). Fruit: 3 to 5 mm long capsules. Seed: Light brown to cream coloured, small somewhat obovate seed (~1 mm long) with tuft of hair