Landscape

As an informal hedge or screen.

Cultivation

Well drained soil, in full sun to part shade. Will tolerate a wide range of soils but will not tolerate moist or poorly drained soil. Prefers a pH of 6.8-7.2.

Shape

Irregular and rounded to broad-headed.

Growth

Medium

Pests

Susceptible to scale, powder mildew, crown gaul, cercospora leaf spot and anthracnose.

Habitat

Riverbanks, woodland borders, mountain wooded slopes, small openings in wooded areas and thickets.

Flower/Leaf Bud Description

Small and appressed with 5 to 6 scales.

Leaf Description

Opposite leaves, ovate to narrowly ovate and finely serrated or crenate.

Flower Description

Flowers are 8 mm, consists of 4 petals, sepals and 4 short stamens with anthers. Oval in shape.

Fruit Description

1.5 cm diameter capsule and 4 lobed crimson glabrous.

Colour Description

Foliage is a nice vibrant green but in autumn turn a yellowish-red. The bark is greyish-green with reddish-brown streaks smooth and slightly scaly. The seed is brown with a scarlet aril.

Texture Description

Smooth to slightly scaly.

Notable Specimens

Ska-nah- doht Iroquoian Village, Melbourne Ontario, Canada.

Propagation

Seeds requires 8-12 weeks of warmth followed by 8-16 weeks of cold stratification. When large enough place in individual pots and move to greenhouse for first winter. Place them in their permanent positions in spring/ early summer.

Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer)

The bark, leaves and fruit were previously used for a variety of medicinal purposes by First Nations People such as eye lotion, a poultice for facial sores and for gynecological conditions: now considered poisonous.

Nelson G, Earle C, Spellenberg R (2014) Trees of Eastern North America, New Jersey, Princeton University Press. Dirr, M. (1975, Revised 1977,1983,1990,1998,2009) Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. Champaign Illinois: Stipes Publishing.