A medium-sized, tolerant tree and a bottomland species native to the central U.S. Its fruit is the largest of the hickories. Leaves are usually 7 leaflets without hairs at the teeth edge, lustrous above, and pubescent below. Twigs are stout and orange-brown with prominent orange lenticels. The terminal bud is to 1" with 6-8 dark brown scales. Fruit is similar to C. ovata but often larger. Bark is similar to C. ovata but with straighter plates.