Description

This is a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree about 10-30' tall, forming an irregular crown that is usually more tall than wide. If there is a single trunk, it is 6-16' across near the base and short. Trunk bark is gray, developing shallow furrows and flat ridges on older shrubs or trees. Branch bark is smooth and gray, while twigs are some shade of brown and glabrous. Young leafy and flowering shoots are green and they are more or less covered with woolly hairs. Alternate leaves up to 4' long and 2' across occur along the shoots and young twigs. These leaves are more or less ovate in shape and finely serrated along their margins; the bases of these leaves are either rounded or slightly cordate. Young leaves are densely covered with woolly hairs, particularly along their undersides. Leaves become less hairy as they mature