Size: tree, 20-30' average height and spread at maturity
Buds: flower and vegetative buds different, flower buds large brown silky-hairy, hairs mainly short or sparse, vegetative buds small, short, pubescent
Leaves: deciduous, alternate, 3-6" long, 1.5-3" wide, simple, obovate to broad oblong, tip abruptly acuminate, margins entire, deep green, occasionally yellow or brown in fall
Twigs: stipular line competely encircles twig at each leaf scar, large circular scars on older wood represent the position of previous flowers and fruits, brown with grayish lenticels, fragrant when crushed
Flowers: monoecious, white, pink, or purplish, inside usually white with darker colors on outside, 5-10" wide, appearing before leaves
Fruit: asymmetrical aggregate of follicles up to 4" long
Bark: handsome gray, usually smooth
