Tall, deciduous tree with arching branches normally turned up at the ends. One of the largest flowering trees of the temperate world.

In winter the buds are protected by gum-covered scales - the 'sticky-buds'.

Height : up to 115 feet (35 m).

Most trees produce spikes of flowers with 4 unequal sized white petals, with spots at the base. They are first yellow then pink. Red flowered forms sometimes occur.

The large spiky fruits break up into three parts, releasing one or two shiny 'conkers'.

The leaves are large and compound, in the form of a palm with the five or six leaflets spreading out like the fingers of a fat hand. The leaves fall in autumn to leave large horseshoe-shaped leaf scars

Red-brown or dark grey-brown and scaly.