Winter buds scales are glabrous, or ciliate at the most, and sticky. Young branches rapidly become glabrous. These characteristics readily separate this tree from the European mountain-ash. Fruit is bright red and matures in October. It is a round-headed tree that grows to 50 feet.
Numerous cultivars are available in the nursery trade.
This tree grows well only in the lake-effect areas of Ohio. This tree generally performs poorly and is short-lived in Ohio landscapes away from Lake Erie. Winter bud scales are large, white, woolly, and not sticky. Young branches are pubescent. Leaves are odd-pinnate with nine to 15 leaflets.