It normally exists as an understory tree, but is larger than the American hornbeam and likely to have a single stem. The bark is mostly light brown or reddish-brown and finely divided into thin scales by which the tree can be recognized. Bud scales are marked with fine, longitudinal lines. Buds are not conspicuously variable in size or angled as in the American hornbeam. The leaves are simple, alternate, and generally oblong in shape with narrowed tips.
Side veins of the leaves diverge into one or two branches near the margin of the leaf.
Teeth are of nearly the same size, making a more uniformly toothed leaf margin than for hornbeam. The flowers are monoecious. The male catkins form on the previous summer's twigs, while the female flowers are borne in erect catkins on the newly formed twigs. The wood is strong, hard, and durable. Bark is light brown to white with thick, pale sapwood.