Large tree with a round, open crown. Usually reaches 15 m tall but under very favourable conditions can grow to 20 m. The young twigs have contiguous hairs which it loses after the first winter. The old bark is shed, first in small rectangular plates, later in long, narrow strips. The leaves are glossy green and almost hairless on top. The underside is lighter and hairy. In autumn the leaf turns a lovely red to purplish red. The flowers open in May. They are white with striking yellow anthers and stand in wide corymbs. The oval fruits are brown with light brown lenticels that are visible as light dots. A strong tree that grows in all nutrient-rich and moist soils but also tolerates drier soils.