The natural history of the northwoods . A large, deciduous, rhizomatous, thicket forming shrub from 3'-10' tall. Trunk straight, with spreading, ascending branches. Fruit an acornlike nut enclosed in two leafy bracts.
Some smaller roots run vertically toward the surface and branch profusely into very fine laterals.
Maine west to Saskatchewan, south to Oklahoma, Georgia, and north through New England. Along streams, hedgerows, meadows, woodlands, roadsides, and forest margins. Grows best on rich, moist, well-drained soils. Often competes with hardwoods and pines for light and moisture. Its shading and aggressive growth have long been recognized as a major deterent to the successful regeneration of upland conifers.