Form: This is a medium sized tree reaching 70 - 80 ft. in height and a dbh of 2-3 ft.

Leaves:
             

Arrangement: alternate; simple

Shape: wedge-shaped or truncate base

Margin: doubly serrate

Texture: dark green above, pale and pubescent below

Venation: parallel

Bark: It has salmon colored dehiscent (flaky) bark.

Twigs and buds: Twigs are brown slender and covered with lenticels.

Flowers and fruit: The fruit grows in a cylindrical pubescent bract.

Distinguishing characteristics: Exfoliating bark that is salmon (pink) in color.

Range: Throughout the eastern U.S. excluding the Appalachian mountains.

Silvics: It is shade-intolerant and typically grows along river banks and within flood plains.

Ecological and cultural importance: It has little commercial value. Wild turkeys and white tail deer browse this species.