Mountain mahogany is a small evergreen tree with silver bark. It is upright with multiple trunks. In late summer its feathery seed tails light the hillsides with a silvery glow. For best effect use plant this tree where it will catch the sunlight as the sun sets  to make the make the most of this effect.A red dye can be gotten from the bark and roots which is an interesting aspect of this plant. It grows well in clay or granite soils and is excellent for revegetation  erosion control  or a natural looking chaparral garden as well as for wildlife habitat.