A handsome upright large shrub, (infrequently, a small tree as I've seen at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL) that is native from Maine to West Virginia, northern Ohio & Indiana, most of Michigan, northern & central Illinois, most of Wisconsin and Minnesota, areas of Iowa, eastern Dakotas, southern Manitoba, and southeast Ontario in uplands and along banks of watercourses. Its glossy opposite leaves that are about 4 inches long that get a good red fall color unless ruined by mildew in the latter season. It has long, pointed, gray, naked buds. Creamy white flat-topped flowers clusters last about 10 days in May. The oval drupes (fruit) go from green to yellow to rose and then mature as black, and are loved by birds. It is sold by some large, diverse nurseries and native plant nurseries. It is known and used by landscape designers in parks, campuses, and various public spaces. Some are sold to homeowners for making a tall screen, but it is not common in people's yards. It should be used more.

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