[4][5] It is readily identified by its massively-ridged dark gray-brown bark, the thickest of any eastern North American oak.

The application of the name Q. montana to the chestnut oak is now accepted, since Q. prinus is of uncertain position, unassignable to either species.

Young chestnut oaks are easily capable of reproducing from stump sprouts if cut.

A significant amount of chestnut oaks in the Appalachians are trees that regrew from stump sprouts after being logged.

The results of a "thin and burn treatment" proved that increased light and resources correlated with a greater acorn yield.

The bark of chestnut oak has a high tannin content and prior to the 20th century was heavily used in the leather tanning industry, but the wood was usually discarded since it was considered inferior to that of Q. alba.