The mature leaf surface is smooth, except along the margins which tend to be somewhat hairy. Foliage color is shiny green above and somewhat paler and smooth below. Leaf bases are usually square, or nearly heart-shaped. Leaves have glands present at the base of the leaf blade. The twigs are stout, angular, smooth, and yellowish-brown in color.
Buds are slender with a conical-shape.
The terminal bud is often five-angled. Side buds do not curve away from the twig. The third bud scale is not over three-fourths as long as the bud. On young trees, the bark is light greenish-yellow and smooth, gradually becoming ash gray and deeply furrowed on mature trees. The flowers appear before the leaves.