The fruit resembles very small crab apples and is a source of food for squirrels, raccoon, oppossum, quail, wild turkey, deer, ruffed grouse, robin and purple finch. The leaves, shed in winter, are borne alternate and are simple. They are for the most part toothed. The flower resembles an apple flower but is white and much smaller. Like the apple, it is an alternate host for cedar-apple rust disease.
Some trees are more susceptible than others.
By late summer many leaves are discolored with yellow and brown spots caused by the fungus. On ornamental cedars and junipers the disease can be controlled by spraying. In identifying this tree, various characteristics are key features. The bark is dark and scaled on the trunk. The fruit is like an apple but contains much less pulp.