The mature bark is dark gray, hard, closely, and deeply furrowed, often apparently cross furrowed or netted. Bark is closely held and very different than the shellbark and shagbark hickories. Odd-pinnately compound leaves contain seven to nine leaflets. The upper leaflets are larger than the lower ones. Foliage is very fragrant when crushed.
Foliage is densely pubescent beneath, giving rise to the scientific name.
The flowers, like those of all other hickories, are monoecious. The male flowers are borne in three-branched catkins. May. The fruit is oval, or nearly round, to slightly pear-shaped. Fruits have a very thick, strong-scented husk which splits nearly to the base when ripe. The color is light brown and the nut has a very thick shell with a small, sweet kernel.