Cotoneaster salicifolius. A very popular shrub throughout Britain; native to southwestern China.

In your first photo, still in bud (I'd guess the pic was taken a month or two ago?). Red berries in the autumn usually persisting through the winter.

Resin

I don't know if the scale can be seen from the photos so I'll add that it was nearly two stories high, I'd guess at least 18 feet tall? Would it still be a Cotoneaster salicifolius? And yep, taken mid-June.

what is the difference between a shrub and a tree? is it just size or something else?

never mind, did some more searching and finally found another pic of one as large -- thanks so much for telling me the name! it was driving me crazy! and it being technically a shrub explains why all my tree-searching yielded nothing, heh.

Difference between a shrub and a tree - a tree is generally defined as having a single (and usually straight) trunk from gound level, a shrub having several trunks. But it is very much an artificial distinction, in reality it is shades of grey, and many species can be either shrubs or trees depending on the individual and its growing situation. It is easy enough to prune a Cotoneaster salicifolius to grow as a single-stemmed tree (I've seen it done), though it is more typically (as yours) multi-stemmed.

Resin

C. frigidus also produces narrow leaves, and has sometimes grown as tall as 56':

Leaves 2"-5" long, to 2 1/4" wide, dark bluish-green above, pale green with scattered, loose white hairs beneath

--Jacobson, North American Landscape Trees (1996, Ten Speed Press, Berkeley)

But the leaves of the one shown are so long relative to their length and the habit of the plant so spreading that it does seem unlikely to be one other than willowleaf cotoneaster.

Cotoneaster frigidus is easily told by its leaves being smoother (less rugose) and matt, not glossy, as well as relatively shorter and broader:
{{gwi:383578}}

Hybrids between the two (C. Ã watereri) are trickier, but these too tend not to have the long acuminate tip shown in the first pic.

Resin

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:383568}}

Dear Tree Forum Members:

The Cotoneaster species that are mentioned above are beautiful looking trees/shrubs.

Are the prone to the same kind of diseases/blights/mildews/black spot/fungal infections, etc. as other members of the rose family? .... or, are they more "disease-resistant"? What's the hardiness zone?
Where can these plants be bought? I have never seen these plants in local nurseries.

Thanks for any information you can offer/suggest.

Cordially yours, Frank

Many or most are very susceptible to fireblight Erwinia amylovora. This is rarely a problem in Britain as our summer temperatures are too cool for the disease, but it is likely to be a problem where you are in NY.

C. frigidus would not be winter hardy in NY; C. salicifolius is a little hardier but probably still very marginal for you.

Resin

I had C. multiflorus, it grew to be a monster and the flowers smelled bad. In my area all cotoneasters become infested with azalea lacebug, mine have been removed.
Sam