Dense, round, reddish flower clusters, about ½ inch across, form on small lateral branchlets at the tips of the previous year's branches in March to early April, before leaves emerge. Male and female flowers can be on separate trees or on separate branches on the same tree or occasionally within the same flower cluster. For both, clusters have 3 to 6 flowers with 5 obscure sepals and no petals. The males have long, erect stamens. The females have two bright red, arching styles.