Growing on a stream terrace in a rich limestone woods in association with numerous other carices such as C. timida, C. jamesii, C. davisii, C. hirtifolia, C. woodii, C. sparganioides, C. radiata, C. pensylvanica, C. amphibola.
This tree is middle aged and has shaggy, but decaying, bark. The leaves on this tree are simple with a hairy underside.