Origin: Europe, Southwest Asia, North Africa.
Botanical characteristics: It is a deciduous tree, growing slowly but reaching 30 meters in height. Branching is erect with young, thin and hairless branches. It has a largely columnar crown, which later assumes the shape of a cupola. Bark is dark grey and furrowed. Leaves are closely oval, asymmetric at the base, doubly toothed, with 7-12 secondary nerves on each side, they are bright green, glossy and hairless on the upper surface, while on the lower one they have tufts of armpit fuzz at the apex of the ribs. In autumn they turn yellow. In early spring flowers and fruits occur on bare branches. The flowers are small, red, clustered in umbrellas. Fruits: green samaras consisting of a flat elliptical wing with a seed toward the apex.
Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It grows spontaneously in wild woodlands up to 1200 meters. It grows well on any soil, if well-drained. It has a good resistance to air pollution.
Use: It is often used in tree roads and also cultivated in gardens and parks and along avenues as single plant. It works excellently as windbreak and is ideal for exposed areas. It is suitable for afforestation of barren areas and abandoned hills.
