This tall species of oak has leaves with rounded symmetrical lobes. The common name comes from the whitish appearance of the under surface of the leaves during summer condition. In autumn the leaves turn a scarlet red. The twigs are hairless and the buds red-brown, small, blunt and hairless. The acorn cup is bowl-shaped and only covers 1/3 of the acorn at most. The leaves are 2-9 inches long. The tree can reach a height of 60-80 feet and reach a diameter of five feet.