Botanical Name: Cercocarpus betuloides
Common Name: Mountain mahogany, California hardtack Type of Plant: dicot: shrub-tree Character evergreen Habit of Growth: Overall Shape an upright, mostly multi-trunked plant, with stiff erect or spreading branches forming an open, irregular or rounded canopy; the bark is gray and smooth Height 10' - 20'(30') Spread 2/3 to equal Growth Rate moderate Environment: Exposure outdoors thrives in full sun sites; tolerates some shade inland Soil tolerates most; best in loose, well-draining sites Hardiness hardy (zones 6-24); thrives in warm dry habitats Morphology: Leaves pinnate, alternate, broadly elliptical-oval to obovate; to 1" long with a serrate margins along the upper half; medium to dark green above, paler beneath, with prominent veins Flowers inconspicuous, small, yellowish-green, in clusters of 2-3; March - May Fruit an achene: small, but with a very distinctive elongated twisted, soft-hairy featherlike style attached Propagation: Usage: with pruning, can be developed into a small accent tree valued for its attractive white bark, dark green foliage and distinctive feathery fruit; very good for screens, loose background plantings; excellent for dry slopes Landscape Care: Watering an occasional deep soak; the plant is very drought-tolerant once established Fertilizing none is required Pruning for accent tree, head high & develop wide-spreading framework; or leave alone, or selectively head back for fuller canopy Pests/Diseases relatively free Special Conditions/Other extensive root system makes it good for slope stabilizing Origin: Oregon to Baja Family: Rosaceae Notes: |
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