Form: This is a medium sized tree reaching 60 - 90 ft. in height and 2 - 3 ft. in dbh. and has hanging branches.

Leaves:
             

Arrangement: opposite; palmately compound; 5-7 leaflets

Shape: oval

Margin: sharply serrate

Texture: glabrous

Venation: parallel

Bark: When young it has light gray-brown bark that becomes dark brown and scaly when older.

Twigs and buds: It has stout twigs. Leaf scars are large and shield shaped. The large terminal bud is non-resinous and orangish brown in color.

Flowers and fruit: Flowers are orangish yellow and appear in clusters. Fruit is encased in a leathery husk. The seeds are large, shiny and somewhat round.

Distinguishing characteristics: It has a palmately compound leaf with 5 leaflets; distinctive seed, orangish brown bark, and distinctive looking fruit.

Range: Southwest Pennsylvania south to northern Georgia west to Illinois.

Silvics: It is moderately intolerant of shade and prefers to grow on deep soils of coves.

Ecological and cultural importance: It is excellent for wood carving. The seeds are toxic.