General Description | A northern species which is usually a small tree with a short trunk of spreading branches. Contains dense bunches of scarlet red fruits in autumn. The berries attract birds and are also edible by humans, but too acidic to be eaten raw. |
ID Characteristic | One of the most ornamental of the small trees, it is very attractive when in bloom and fruit. Graceful in form with an oval shape and sprays of white flowers. |
Shape | Upright, oval. |
Landscape | Common on rocky hillsides, openings, roadsides or scattered along the edges of the woods. |
Cultivation | Will flourish on rocky hillsides, but prefer a rich moist soil such as borders of swamps. |
Habitat | Rocky hillsides, road sides and along the edges of the woods. |
Bark/Stem Description | Smooth, light grey with a scaly surface. |
Leaf Description | Pinnate, alternate leaves that are 16-30 cm long. They are dark green and glabrous above, paler beneath and generally serrated almost to the base. |
Flower Description | Numerous white flowers produced in round clusters, 5-petaled, small and appear in June and July. |
Fruit Description | Bright orange-red berries that remain on the tree all winter and ripen in August and September. |
Colour Description | Flowers are white in clusters, foliage is dark green, fruit is orange-red and autumn colour is rust-orange. |