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Common Name:

General Information

Ehretia dicksonii is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 10.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Japan and southern China.

Habitat

Warm rocky valleys in the warmer areas of C. and S. Japan[]. In evergreen forests near the sea[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moderately fertile well-drained sandy loam in a sunny position[]. Requires a sheltered position[]. Plants are shade tolerant in continental climates but they require more sun in maritime areas in order to ripen the wood[]. Rich fertile soils tend to encourage soft sappy growth which is then subject to frost damage over winter[]. Succeeds on chalky soils[].
Mature plants are frost hardy, though young plants are often cut back by the frost[]. The young growth in spring is also susceptible to frost-damage[].
A tree was 6 metres tall at Kew in 1989[].
This species closely resembles Ehretia macrophylla Wall. of the E. Himalaya, but the latter has the thin chartaceous, narrower leaves without scabrous on the upper surface and with sparse pubescent hairs on the lower surface, and smaller drupes, ca. 8 mm in diam[].
The flowers, which are borne on the ripened wood of the previous season's growth, emit a powerful spicy fragrance[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[, ]. No further details. The fruit is about 2cm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Wood - light and tough. Used for carrying poles[, ].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing it as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Sow stored seed in late winter or early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame.