Bark gray to dark brown, becoming deeply furrowed into scaly ridges. Twigs thick, gray, finely hairy when young, with raised 3-lobed leaf scars, and chambered brown pith. End bud single, narrow, with paired gray hairy scales. Staminate catkins appearing in early spring.
Seeds are thick-shelled but delicious and are eaten by people and wildlife.
The wood is commercially important in the manufacture of gunstocks and high-quality furniture.