Water during dry periods, summer or winter. White bark contrasts with copper colored branches. Yellow fall color. This small tree or large shrub has yellow flowers in early spring. These are followed by small, cherry-like fruits that can be made into syrup or jam.
Leaves are attractive, glossy green, but no fall color develops.
Like many small trees that also are grown as multistemmed shrubs, it may sucker extensively. It can tolerate wet, poorly drained alkaline soils. Small white flowers are followed by small white fruits that are eaten quickly by birds. The fruit stems left behind are red and quite attractive. Leaves are reddish purple in fall.