Form: This species used to be one of the largest trees in the forest. Now it is only found at heights less than 20 ft. and as stump sprouts.

Leaves:
             

Arrangement: alternate; simple

Shape: oblong

Margin: sharply serrate with bristle teeth

Texture: both sides are hairless; dark green above,  paler below

Venation: parallel

Bark: The bark is a dark grayish-brown color and furrowed with broad, flat, scaly ridges.

Twigs and buds: The twigs are lustrous and brown. The buds are long and ovid.

Flowers and fruit: The nuts are flattened on 1 side and found in 2's and 3's in each bur. The burs are 2 to 2.5 inches in diameter and are armed with very sharp spines.

Distinguishing characteristics: This species has burr husk covering fruit and alternate, oblong, serrated leaves. Also the tree has dark brown shallowly fissured bark.

Range: Formally found from southern Ontario to Maine and south along the Appalachian mountains to Georgia heading west to Mississippi and north to Indiana.

Silvics: This species has an intermediate tolerance and occurs on mesic to dry slopes and ridges as well as sandy loams and rocky soils.

Ecological and cultural importance: The tree was exterminated by chestnut blight, that was also a major blow to wildlife due to loss of consistent mast crops.