it is a tree growing to 15 - 20 m, crown ovoid, relatively sparsely capped
the bark is reddish-brown, the bork is dark grey, columnar, peeling
Buds
buds are spirally arranged, broadly ovate, bluntly acuminate, sessile
the terminal one is the largest – bluntly conical
the covering scales are brownish-purple, white tomentose at the apex
Shoots
shoots are straight, round, reddish-brown, grey-tomentose, later brown-grey – glabrous with longitudinal whitish lenticels
there are numerous ringed brachyblasts
Leaves (assimilation organs)
the leaves are compound - oddly pinnately compound, 15 - 20 cm long
they are composed of 4 - 7 pairs of individual leaves
individual leaves are lanceolate to oblong-elliptical, 3 - 5 x 1 - 1.5 cm large, short-petiolate to sessile
they are coarsely serrate along the margin, there is often entire margin at the base
the upper side is dark green, sparsely hairy, the lower side is lighter, more or less hairy
Flowers
it is a monoecious tree with bisexual flowers, white, grouped in upright tufted panicles with a diameter of 10 - 15 cm
it flowers in May - June
Fruits – seeds
the fruit is a spherical, light red capsule, 0.9 - 1.5 cm large
it contains 2 - 4 teardrop-shaped, 4 x 2 mm large, brown seeds
Extension
originally almost in all of Europe (except southern Europe)
in the north it rises to the northern forest border and through Siberia it reaches the Far East
in Slovakia from the lowest locations on average up to 1,540 - 2,010 m above the sea level
it is part of the upper forest border and rises to the dwarf pine zone
Ecology
it is a partially shaded, light-loving tree in old age, completely frost-resistant !
it is undemanding to the content of nutrients in the soil, it tolerates drought, but also excess moisture
Significance
it is an important pioneer tree, especially in high mountain areas
it is a preparatory tree, soil-protecting, but also a gnawing and fruit-bearing tree
its fruits are an important source of food for many bird populations in the autumn and winter months (northern crested tit, thrushes, ...), which also ensure its spread
it is used in creating greenery in cities
its many forms are known (mourning, yellow-fruited, striated-leaved, ...)
