This is a deciduous shrub or small tree that will grow to about 15’. It suckers and can form colonies. The compound pinnate foliage is deeply dissected, growing to 2' long, giving the shrub a fern-like appearance. Its green leaves turn attractive shades of orange, yellow, and red in autumn. Greenish-yellow flowers bloom in terminal panicles in early summer. Only female plants produce showy, pyramidal fruiting clusters (to 8" long) of hairy, berry-like drupes that ripen in autumn to red, gradually aging to maroon-brown. These persist through the winter, providing some interest and food for wildlife.