Of special interest to homeowners and landscapers because it grows very rapidly and acclimates easily to a wide variety of soils and moisture levels. Short trunk usually hidden by dense intertwining branches. Grows to 30 feet tall. Stiff horizontal branches. Spreading foliage shape with a width of about thirty feet.
Leaves have reddish, sometimes winged midrib.
3-13 finely toothed leaflets 1 to 2 inches long. Leaves smell of turpentine when crushed and are a glossy light green. Fruits are in clusters and are glossy green and juicy at first, becoming bright red when ripening. The red skin dries to become a papery shell surrounding the seed. The seed is dark brown.