Medium-sized tree with simple, large, alternate, deciduous leaves. Short, straight, stout trunk with furrowed gray-brown bark, narrow crown, and upright to spreading branches.

Lichens are unique organisms created by algae and fungi that grow together using each other to survive. This type of lichen forms a crust-like growth on the tree’s bark. Its red and green colors give the appearance of a Christmas wreath for which it has been named.

Leaves are alternate and deciduous with dense, whitish hairs on the underleaf. The dark, scaly, rough bark on older trees resembles Black Cherry tree bark.