Vigorously growing tree with a closed ovoid crown that looks stocky but can reach a height of 30 m. Young twigs are grey -brown with short, dense felt-like hair. The older bark is brownish grey and irregular deeply grooved. The leaf strongly resembles Castanea’s but is slightly smaller. It is elongated-elliptical to lanceolate. The 6 to 14 shallow lobes emerge from the roughly serrated margin. The glossy dark green leaf is 5 to 15 cm long by 2 to 7 cm wide. Underside grey with dense, felt-like hair. The acorns are long ovoid and are single or in pairs. They are semi-enclosed by a cupule that is densely covered with firm, reflexed and grey-haired scales. The tree requires a warm, sunny position and a limy soil that is not too wet.