The species is found on dry, upland sandy sites, often with pine. Sand hickory is easily identified by the dense tufts of hairs on the rachises and midribs and silvery scales on the lower leaf surfaces. Lower leaf surfaces lack the dense tomentum found on C. tomentosa. Twigs are slender , rather than stout as in C. tomentosa, and terminal buds are much smaller, with persistent reddish brown bud scales. Bark of mature trees is tight.
Nuts are thick shelled.