Smooth Blackhaw, native to much of mid-latitude Eastern and central U.S., is a large deciduous shrub or small tree which usually grows to around 15 feet tall and wide, but if grown as a single-stemmed tree form, it can reach up to 30 feet. It thrives in full sun to part shade and dry-to-mesic soils. Unless pruned to a single-stemmed tree-like form, Smooth Blackhaw will typically have several sturdy stems with many smaller branches, leading to an irregular or rounded tree-like crown. Smooth Blackhaw has a very showy floral display in spring. In peak bloom, it is covered in 4-inch flat-topped cymes arising at the end of each of the many stems. These flower clusters turn into clusters of dark blue-black, edible (technically), berry-like drupes which support a variety of bird species and look handsome against the shiny reds and purples of the fall foliage.
