Medium to large tree reaching 60 – 80 ft. in height and a dbh of 3 – 4 ft. with spreading branches.

Leaves:
 Arrangement: alternate, simple

 Shape: 7-9 lobes, rounded; not bristle tipped

 Margin: entire

 Texture: glabrous above, glaucous below

It has light ashy-gray colored bark that can be very thick.

Twigs are light reddish-brown in color, stout, and glabrous. Each twigs has multiple globose terminal buds.

Acorns mature in one season. The warty cap covers about 1/3 of the acorn.

It has 7 – 9 lobed leaves that do not come to a distinct point like most of the red oak species. It can be distinguished from the post oak by the different leaf shape. It does not have the cross-shape as does post oak.

Southwest Maine to Florida west to eastern Texas

It is intermediately tolerant of shade and occurs on mesic to dry upland soils.

Wood used in furniture, veneer, and paneling. Deer browse on twigs and leaves. Acorns eaten by a variety of animals. Most important consumers of acorns include: black bear, mallard, wild turkey, and ring neck pheasant. Also very long lived, up to 800 years.