A fast-growing tree with a closed crown that makes it look squat. Young twigs are covered with grey felt-like hairs but later become smooth and bare. The leaves closely resemble those of Castanea. They are elongated elliptical to lanceolate, 7 - 16 cm long and 3 - 7 cm wide. The leaf edge has large, sharp, pointed serrations. The upper side of the leaves is glossy dark green, the underside grey and covered in felt-like hairs. Young shoots are brownish-violet in colour. The acorns, 2-3 cm in size, are elongated ovoid and grow singly or in pairs. They are more than half enclosed by a semi-circular cupule that has sturdy, backward-bending scales covered with grey hairs. The tree prefers a warm and sunny site and calcareous soil that is not too moist.