An interesting ornamental for the right place, but only recommended where it is easy to control its propensity to vigorously spread by suckering. Introduced to France in 1782, and thought to have arrived in Britain in 1810.

This species has the most westerly natural distribution in the genus, native to damp woodlands in the Caucasus region, including Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and northern Iran. Uncommon outside botanic collections and large gardens.

Monoecious. Wind-pollinated. Seeds wind- or water-dispersed.

Large (to 35m), fast-growing, broad-crowned, often multi-stemmed and surrounded by suckers and water shoots. Twigs olive-brown, with chambered pith and naked (scaleless) buds. Leaves compound pinnate, 60cm, with 9-21 floppy serrated leaflets (to 12cm) on a smooth rachis. Male catkins green, 8-15cm; female very long (30-50cm) with pink stigmas, maturing to strings of winged nuts. Hybridises with Chinese Wingnut to form fertile Pterocarya × rehderiana.

Thrives in moist and warm humid conditions, especially moist, fertile soils. Hardy to -15°C but sensitive to spring frosts. This species is very successful at spreading by suckering, creating dense clonal thickets if not regularly controlled by topping or mowing.

No notable associations where introduced.

Susceptible to honey fungus.

Ornamental specimens can be quite attractive both from afar and close-up, for the colourful female catkins and distinctive pendulous seeds, bearing modestly vibrant yellow foliage at autumn.