A medium-sized tree with a narrow crown. It is transcontinental, a pioneer on northern bottomland sites, and the largest tree in northwestern Canada with uses similar to P. tremuloides. Leaves are up to 6" in length, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, finely crenate-serrate, lustrous dark green above with rusty brown blotches below, and with a terete petiole. Twigs are reddish brown and lustrous with lateral buds appressed and have fragrant amber-colored resin. Bark is greenish-brown to reddish-brown, becoming deeply furrowed and gray to grayish-black.