The leaves of Gymnocladus dioica are alternate and twice compound. The ultimate divisions of the leaves are broader than 1 cm with acute tips and there are no thorns. The only other Wisconsin tree with twice compound leaves, Gleditsia triacanthos, has ultimate leaf divisions less than 1 cm broad and blunt pointed, and it usually develops thorns. The fruit of Gymnocladus dioica is a thick, tough legume that tends to stay on the tree into winter. The bark is dark gray and often forms large, curling scales as the trunks mature.

The range of Gymnocladus dioica is from eastern Nebraska and Oklahoma east to Tennessee and western New York, and north through Iowa to southern Wisconsin and Michigan. Naturally occurring plants are rare in Wisconsin in the southern counties and is sometimes planted as a yard or street tree.