The outer, reddish-brown scales fall in the autumn. Overwintering buds have overlapping scales. Leaf scars are large and circular. Leaflets are borne in an odd-pinnate pattern. Fall color is a golden yellow.
Flowers are monoecious.
Male flowers are catkins and showy, while the female flowers are green and inconspicuous. May. The fruit is pear-shaped or rounded, usually with a neck at the base. Thin husks split only half way to the base or not at all. The nut is smooth, light brown in color, rather thick-shelled, and has an edible kernel. The wood is heavy, hard, strong, tough, and flexible.