It is, however, a very attractive small tree that grows to about 30 feet tall. It develops clusters of white flowers in the spring that turn to deep red fruits in the fall. This relative of the elm with its warty bark grows best in fairly moist soils. A variety of birds, including robins, pheasants, and grouse, eat its fruit. This species is similar to the flowering dogwood, but it flowers three to four weeks later.
Fruits resemble raspberries and are sought after by wildlife.
Like the native dogwood, the leaves turn a deep scarlet in the fall. The large, white, feathery clusters of flowers are the outstanding feature of this tree. The blossoms can be seen from early April to late May and develop into dark blue, grape-like fruits that attract wildlife. This is a small tree that will grow to be 12 to 20 feet in height with an equal spread. This tree will grow to be 10 to 20 feet tall, making it popular in landscapes where space is limited.