Foliage is very fragrant when crushed. Bark is ridged and closely held. Bark is shaggy and breaks into plates that are shed. The upper leaflets are larger than the lower ones. Twigs have light reddish-brown bark.
Leaves have seven to nine leaflets.
Twigs have orange bark. This tree is common throughout the state and is found in moist forests and flood plains. It is well known by its round, bitter nuts. Hickories with valvate or foliate buds are known as pecan hickories and are generally vase-shaped in habit. The bark on the trunk is granite gray, faintly tinged with yellow, and less rough than most other hickories.