TN native. Originally native to every state in the eastern U.S. that is south of Michigan. A common tree of TN, and is the only member of the Ebony family native here. The wood is very hard and heavy and was used for golf club driver heads for many years. The leaves are a typical elliptical shape and the fruit is an unusual tasting one that a person should only eat when very ripe. It is a ping pong ball size fruit that is green that turns orange that turns darker purple finally. The bark is dark and reminds me of alligator skin.