Size: tree, 35-60' average height at maturity, 20-35' spread
Buds: no terminal bud, .25" ovoid, 2 overlapping scales, reddish black
Leaves: deciduous, alternate, 2.25-5.5" long, .75-2" wide, simple, ovate to elliptic, acuminate, entire or irregularly serrate, dark green changes to yellow, yellow-green, or reddish purple in fall
Twigs: grayish brown
Flowers: May-June, dioecious (though tree may include both male and female flowers), white to greenish white, very fragrant
Fruit: berry, up to 1.5", ripens to yellow or purple
Bark: thick, dark gray or black, scaly squarish blocks
