According to a recent description "short shoots bear broadly cordate or reniform, palmately veined leaves with crenate margins; long shoots bear elliptic to broadly ovate leaves with entire or finely serrate margins.

[citation needed] The leaves have a strong, sweet smell in the fall, described as caramel or Madeira cake-like.

Where conditions are suitable, it is fast-growing, but it is very sensitive to drought and needs deep, permanently moist soil.

Of particular interest is the scent produced by the leaves in the autumn, resembling burnt brown sugar or cotton candy.

Trees in cultivation, like those in natural environments, tend to sucker from the base when young and become multi-stemmed at maturity; pruning to maintain a single stem is not advised.

Those with a strong central leader, or excurrent growth, are all one clone originating in Morioka City, Japan.