Appearance and characteristics

• Size: Typically grows as a multi-trunked shrub or small tree, reaching 15–40 feet tall. It can sometimes grow even taller in favorable conditions.
• Leaves: The dark green leaves are oval to elliptical, often with irregularly lobed edges, and turn orange to red in the autumn.
• Flowers: In spring, the tree produces clusters of fragrant, showy white or pale pink flowers.
• Fruit: The small, oblong, yellow-to-red fruits are pomes, similar to apples, but with an acidic flavor. They ripen in late summer and can persist on the tree through winter.
• Wildlife support: The dense foliage provides excellent cover for wildlife, while the flowers provide nectar for pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. The persistent fruit is an important food source for birds and small mammals, especially in winter. 

Habitat and growing conditions

• Native range: Extends along the Pacific Coast from Alaska down to northern California.
• Habitat: Grows in moist forests, swamps, estuaries, and canyons at lower elevations.
• Soil and moisture: The tree is very tolerant of wet, poorly drained soils, including heavy clay. It can also adapt to drier conditions once established.
• Light requirements: Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade, though fruit production may be reduced with less sun.
• Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 6. 

Uses and cultivation

• Edible fruit: Though very tart, the fruit can be used to make pectin, jelly, or sauces.
• Ornamental planting: It is often planted in parks and gardens for its ornamental qualities, including its flowers, fruit, and fall foliage.
• Ecological restoration: Its ability to tolerate wet soils makes it suitable for bioswales, rain gardens, and shoreline plantings.
• Traditional medicine: Various Native American tribes used the bark and inner bark to treat ailments such as coughs, stomach ulcers, and skin problems.
• Thicket formation: Can grow as a thicket-forming shrub and may require pruning to maintain a preferred shape.