FRUIT.—July; 1 inch long; consisting of drupes about 1/32 inch long, each inclosed in a thickened, fleshy calyx; berry-like; bright red at first, finally blackish; sweet, juicy, edible.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds ovoid, abruptly pointed, 1/4 inch long, lustrous, light brown.
BARK.—Twigs greenish and more or less downy, becoming smooth and brownish; trunk dark brown tinged with red and more or less furrowed.
WOOD.—Light, soft, weak, rather tough, coarse-grained, very durable, pale orange, with thick, lighter colored sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Southern portion of the Lower Peninsula, as far north as the Muskegon river.
HABITAT.—Prefers rich soil in river-bottoms.
NOTES.—Easily transplanted. Grows rapidly in good, moist soil.