May grow with multiple trunk (though crowding from that may shorten their lives), beautiful peeling bark. Tolerates salt, compacted soil and wet conditions. Medium to fast growing. Lovely fall color. Fantastic specimen tree. Use the straight species - cultivars such as 'Heritage' may be more prone to break. Roots are invasive - do not plant within 20’' of hardscape - and shallow roots - try to plant shrubs at the same time so they grow up together. Great to suck up water and reduce flooding. Beautiful front yard plant.
Habitat: lowland species mainly along streams, rivers, ponds, and swamp; also in abandoned fields on alluvial soils. Common in the coastal Plain and Piedmont; infrequent in the mountains.
Wildlife Value: Host plant for Mourning Cloak and Dreamy Duskywing butterflies and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Young twigs, buds, and foliage browsed by white-tailed deer. Seeds consumed by grouse, turkey, small birds and rodents. Birds and squirrels eat the male catkins in late winter/early spring. Plant NOVA Natives lists this species as particularly popular with the non-native honeybee