An intolerant, medium-sized tree ranging throughout the eastern U.S. except for northern areas. It is most common in moist sites, but also found on relatively dry uplands. Leaves are to 5" entire (occasionally toothed), obvate, lustrous, with scarlet fall color. Twigs are slender with numerous spur shoots. Buds are ovoid, imbricate, and commonly divergent. Fruit is a cluster of dark blue 1/2" drupes with an indistinctly ribbed pit. Bark is thick, reddish-brown with distinct square blocks (alligator hide).