Size: tree or shrub, 15' average height at maturity (15-20' spread)
Buds: imbricate, light brown, rough scales
Leaves: deciduous, alternate, each leaf 1.5-3" long, compound, 8-12 leaflets, obovate to elliptic oblong, rounded at apex, acuminate, entire, bright green to yellow-green in fall
Twigs: dark glossy green, conspicuous decurrent lines, thornlike stipules can persist, pale, horizontal lenticels
Flowers: monoecious, bright yellow, .5-1", on previous year's growth, single or in clusters of up to 4, bloom mid-May
Fruit: cylindrical pod to 2", yellow-green changing to brown, ripens in late summer
Bark: bright green when young
