This commonly planted medium-sized tree from China is a rare escape from cultivation in North Carolina. Similar to the native American Chestnut (Castanea dentata), but the leaves are less prominently toothed, are short-acuminate (come to a more abrupt point), and are densely covered with minute hairs on the undersides. The hairs may be difficult to see because they're so fine, but the undersides are velvety-soft.

This flowering tree was photographed from far beneath.

Durham, NC 4/4/07.

Bark detail.

Durham, NC 4/4/07.