Height: 25 – 30m

Spread: Broadly columnar, deciduous

Very common in Europe; a widely used street tree with handsome dark green leaves; tolerant of salt and various soils; Native from NW to Central Europe, Italy, Western Asia.

The trees are fast-growing and make a good windbreak for exposed and maritime areas. They are often used in shelterbelt plantings. This species usually self-sows freely and is often the first tree to invade disused farmland, cleared woodland etc. Its ability to tolerate difficult environments make it a good pioneer species for re-establishing woodlands. When grown in Britain it is usually gradually displaced over a period of 200 years or more by native species until it becomes just a minor component of the woodland. The leaves are packed around apples, rootcrops etc to help preserve them Wood - very hard, heavy, elastic, easy to work, fairly resistant to insects. Used for carving, small domestic items, veneer etc. It is a good fuel and also makes a good charcoal that can be used as a fuel.

Dark green foliage turning yellow in Autumn.