Native to North America. In its natural habitat it may reach a height of 7-8 m. A low-branching tree it has a fairly horizontal branch pattern and upturned branch tips. Old trees are broadly pyramidal but rather flat topped. In May white flowers are surrounded by four roundish, 5-15 cm.-wide bracts with notched tips. Flowers almost cover trees in midspring before leaves expand. Oval leaves, 5-15 cm. long and 6 cm. wide, are bright green above, lighter beneath; they turn glowing red before they drop. Clusters of small, oval, scarlet fruit in winter. Not successful on poor shallow chalks soils.