A common and familiar medium-large tree found mostly along streambanks.

Durham Co., NC 8/21/05.

The leaves are slightly paler beneath.

Chatham Co., NC 9/20/03.

The long male flowering structures (catkins) hang down from the ends of branches, while the shorter female cone-like flowers and fruits are upright.

Durham Co., NC 4/1/07.

The bark of smaller branches is smooth and reddish-brown with horizontally-elongated lenticels. The bark on larger branches peels into large pale gray papery plates.

Chatham Co., NC 9/20/03.

The unique bark is one of several attributes that makes this a favorite for planting as an ornamental.

Durham Co., NC 4/1/07.

Chatham Co., NC 9/20/03.

Bark of a large tree.

Durham Co., NC 4/1/07.

The bark of large trees is more furrowed than flaky.

Harnett Co., NC 8/18/05.