Size: tree, 75-100' average height at maturity, 50-75' spread
Buds: first scale centered directly above leaf scar, lateral buds straight, angled, or appressed, flower buds much larger than vegetative buds
Leaves: deciduous, alternate, 3-6" long and wide, simple, deltoid-ovate, coarsely crenate-dentate with curved teeth, acuminate, medium green above, bright green below, densely ciliate above, glabrous below, petiole flattened
Twigs: glabrous, stout, greenish-yellow or brown, like witch's finters, vigorous new growth has conspicuous decurrent lines
Flowers: dioecious tree, pendulous catkins usually before leaves emerge, males have red anthers
Fruit: dehiscent capsule with 3-4 valves that produce cottony seeds that float in the air
Bark: gray, divided into thick ridges and deep fissures on old trees
