I've read these can be grown as shrubs or trees. They are a prolific suckering plant. I have read that you can use the leaves as bay leaves. I've also read pregnant women should use caution. So, do your own research!!! In Colonial times the berries were used in soap & candle making. Winter food source for some birds, wild turkey, quail, owls, & the red-banded hairstreak butterfly.

The first three pictures are from my yard. The last is a better picture from a website.