This is a widespread southeastern species, but generally rare to absent in deeper woods with little history of fire or other disturbance. In Ky. there are occasional hybrids with other species, including the closely related pagoda, which has often been confused. Large trees often occur, especially as old wolf trees in fields and fencerows. The state champion is on the National Forest in LAUR (KDF): ca. 155 cm dbh, 30 m tall and wide. A "co-champion" is reported from FULT.