Yes, you are correct... the backs of leaves are silver'ish. This year, in particular, there are literally thousands of berries on the shrub. Thank you for your help!

Thank you. I thought it was, but the person said it bloomed in umbels in the spring so then I thought maybe I was wrong. They must be remembering a nearby shrub that does bloom in umbels. Remy

I had considered a deciduous holly, too, suja, but the leaves and the shape of the shrub didn't match up. I'm afraid it is autumn olive. I had also considered this, but the leaves didn't look quite right in the pictures I had looked at. After reading sam_md's post, I looked at some more pictures, and the berries are a perfect match, right down to the little brownish spots on them. I checked while I was out walking today, and the undersides of the leaves are indeed silver. Mystery solved, I guess. Too bad. It's really a very handsome plant. I've always read it was a very invasive, undesirable plant, but I can see why it gained popularity when its planting was encouraged. Unfortunately, this particular shrub is located on private property, so I won't be able to chop it down. At least now I'll recognize it if it shows up on my property. I can add it to my list of things to eradicate, along with oriental bittersweet, mile-a-minute vine, garlic mustard, . . . The list never ends. Thanks to both of you for your help.

Yes thanks, of course, lol! The only close call I've had so far was when I picked some berries off a Rusty Blackhaw and popped one in my mouth. After chewing it a bit though, I noticed the seed inside seemed different than usual. So, I looked more closely and realized that I had accidentally picked a berry off a Virginia Creeper vine that had entwined itself up on the branch. The 2 berries actually look very similar in color and size (Rusty Blackhaw vs Virginia Creeper). Except that the first is quite edible and the latter is quite toxic (sometimes even fatal)! Fortunately - I had immediately spit it out and suffered no ill effects (since I didn't actually swallow any of it). But, I did learn a good lesson in foraging - to always check what you are actually picking! Anyways, I went back yesterday to smash & sniff some of these Skunkbush Sumac leaves and sample a few more berries. And this time, the berries did live up to their online rep! They definitely packed a strong, sour punch - and were less peppery too. Maybe because I had tasted these fresh (I didn't try the others until I first researched them after I got home), or the other ones were just "duds?" I don't know? Yet they weren't puckeringly, acidicly sour either...but somehow still pleasant-tasting like sweetarts. Although I wouldn't describe them as sweet at all...just that somehow their sourness seemed a little offset by something. As far as the leaves went - I crushed one up and didn't smell any foul aroma. It did emit a fairly strong, "herby, planty" smell...unlike many leaves that have no odor at all. But it wasn't stinky. So, I was admittedly a bit disappointed - and may have to try another sample again later, lol.