Form: This is a small tree reaching 16 - 49 feet in height and 1-1.5 ft. dbh.

Leaves:
             

Arrangement: opposite; simple;

Shape: elliptical to oval

Margin: entire

Texture: glabrous

Venation: arcuate

Bark: The bark is brown and/or black, broken into blocks

Twigs and buds: Twigs are two-toned red and green and slender.

Flowers and fruit: Flowers appear in heads, consisting of four leaves pink or white in color. Fruit is a glabrous red drupe that occurs in clusters.

Distinguishing characteristics: Look for opposite leaves, clustered red drupes, 2 toned twigs, and pink or white flowers.

Range: Southern Maine south to central Florida west to eastern Oklahoma.

Silvics: It is shade tolerant and prefers mesic to moist slopes and coves

Ecological and cultural importance: Wood applications include tool handles, golf club heads, and jewelers blocks. Fruits are consumed by songbirds and especially the American robin. It is a very popular landscape tree.