Hovenia dulcis
Japanese Raisintree
Rhamnaceae
ExpandHabitat
- native to China
- zone 5
Habit and Form
- a medium-sized deciduous tree
- 30' to 35' tall
- 15' to 25' wide
- upright
- oval crown
- medium texture
- moderate growth rate
Summer Foliage
- alternate leaf arrangement
- simple, deciduous laves
- serrate leaf margins
- uneven leaf base
- ovate leaf shape
- pubescent
- 4" to 6" long
- dark green leaf color
Autumn Foliage
- no fall color
Flowers
- creamy, white flowers
- showy
- bloom in mid summer
- fragrant
- borne in 2" to 3" long cymes
Fruit
- fleshy, red fruit
- 0.5" in diameter
- edible, sweet
- attracts wildlife
- drupes mature in September
Bark
- showy
- ridged
- light grayish brown
Culture
- full sun
- soils are not critical
- prefers well-drained soils
Landscape Use
- large planter
- parking lots
- shade tree
- specimen
Liabilities
- fruit can be a litter problem
- no serious pest problems
ID Features
- dark brown, hairy buds
- no terminal buds
- alternate leaf arrangement
- fragrant, creamy white flowers
- red, fleshy fruit
- ridged bark
Propagation
- by seed
Cultivars/Varieties
- none