Deciduous tree, up to 8-15m; branchlets pubescent or nearly glabrous. The leaflets are 3~5(7), elliptical to ovate-lanceolate, 3~5(8) cm long, pointed at the tip, slightly toothed above the middle, usually hairy on both sides, at least on the dorsal veins. The flowers are unisexual, with no petals and persistent calyx; panicles are pilose, originating from the side of last year's branches and flowering in front of the leaves. The samara is small, 1.5~2(3)an long, the wing is shorter than the fruit body, and the tip is often concave.

It is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Cultivation was introduced in Jinan, my country at the beginning of the 20th century, and the cultivation area was expanded after the founding of New China. Cultivation is most common in Tianjin. It is cold-tolerant, drought-resistant and barren, and also resistant to low-lying and saline-alkali soils. It has strong resistance to harmful gases and diseases and insect pests; the leaves fall late, the germination is strong, and the growth is fast. It is an excellent fast-growing timber and urban greening tree species, often planted as a street tree. This species has been designated as a city tree in Tianjin.