Form: This is a small tree or large shrub reaching 5 - 60 ft. in height.

Leaves:
             

Arrangement: alternate

Shape: oblong to elliptic

Margin: coarsely serrate

Texture: whitish tomentose below

Venation: pinnate

Bark: It has reddish-brown bark with shallow furrows.

Twigs and buds: The twigs are orange-brown & pubescent. It also has pubescent buds.

Flowers and fruit: The fruit is a spiny bur, with one nut enclosed.

Distinguishing characteristics: It has smaller leaves than American chestnut & is tomentose below.

Range: New Jersey west to Texas and east to Florida.

Silvics: It has intermediate tolerance to shade and prefers dry uplands, hillsides, and ridges.

Ecological and cultural importance: Fruit eaten by numerous species of wildlife.