Form: This tree is medium in size reaching 50 to 60 ft. in height and 2 to 3 ft. in dbh. It also has an irregular crown and a limby bole.

Leaves:
             

Arrangement: alternate

Shape: 5-7 bristle-tipped lobes; sun leaves have deep sinuses and shade leaves have very shallow sinuses

Margin: entire

Texture: thick; dark green and glabrous above; tomentose beneath

Venation: pinnate

Bark: The bark is thick, grayish-black in color and is deeply furrowed vertically with horizontal breaks. The inner bark is orange. 

Twigs and buds: The twigs are brown in color, stout and glabrous. The buds are long and sharp with a grayish pubescence.

Flowers and fruit: The flowers are borne on catkins and are staminate. The fruit is an acorn that is long, ovid and 5/8 to 3/4 inches in length. The cap of the acorn has loose reddish-brown scales. It is also noted the the acorns mature in 2 years.

Distinguishing characteristics: This species has characteristic oak leaves, produced mast every 2 years, and has long terminal buds.

Range: This species occurs from Maine to Minnesota, south to eastern Texas and east to Florida.

Silvics: This species has an intermediate tolerance and occurs on mesic to dry uplands.

Ecological and cultural importance: The wood is sold as "red oak" and used for furniture and flooring. The acorns are eaten by a variety of mammals and birds. Notable species include: wild turkeys, squirrels, and white-tailed deer.