Description

“Baby” hut
A slender deciduous understory tree with a generally rounded to oval top and horizontal drooping branches. Rather slow-growing, reaching only 10 to 15 feet over 15 years. Can have a single stem or multiple stems, oftentimes having a twisted appearance. Dark green, oval leaves have yellow fall color. Showy, shaggy bark provides winter interest. Flowers are monoecious: reddish-brown male flowers and greenish female flowers appear in separate catkins on the same tree. Male catkins are visible throughout winter; female catkins are smaller and easily overlooked. Clusters of yellowish-white inflated fruit sacs are quite pretty and resemble hops.

Easy to grow and succeeds in most soils.

Attracts birds and small mammals.

Height: 25-40 ft.
Spread: 20-30 ft.
Family: Betulaceae
Bloom time: April
Sun: full sun to part shade
Water: medium
Deer resistant
photo credit: Steven Katovich, USDA Forest Service