Common Name:

General Information

Celtis bungeana is a deciduous tree with a rounded, bushy crown; it can grow 9 - 15 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.
Celtis bungeana has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - northern, eastern and central China, Korea

Habitat

Roadsides, thickets and banks of streams; at elevations up to 1,600 metres[]. Forests, among shrubs, roadsides, mountain slopes; at elevations from 100 - 2,300 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Celtis bungeana can be very cold-hardy when growing in hot summer areas, able to tolerate temperatures falling to at least -20°c[]. However, Celtis species generally prefer hotter summers and more sunlight than are normally experienced in maritime regions of the temperate zone. In areas with cooler summers the plants often do not fully ripen their wood and are then very subject to die-back in the winter[, , ].
Succeeds in any reasonably good soil, preferring a good fertile well-drained loamy soil[, , ]. Succeeds on dry gravels and on sandy soils[]. Established plants are very drought resistant[, ].
An 8 year old plant at Kew Gardens, London (hardiness zone 7 - 8) in 1989 was 3 metres tall and very healthy with no sign of die-back[].
Trees can be very long-lived, perhaps to 1000 years[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

The plant is a tea substitute[, ]. This probably refers to the leaves[].

Leaves are a savoury addition to rice[, ].

Fruit - raw[, ]. The bluish-black, more or less globose fruit is 6 - 8mm in diameter containing a single seed 4 - 5mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

We have no specific information for this species, but most species in this genus yield a fine timber; their fibre-rich bark is utilized for the manufacture of ropes and paper; and an oil obtained from the seed is used for making soaps and lubricants[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. Stored seed is best given 2 - 3 months cold stratification and then sown late winter/early spring in a greenhouse[, ]. Germination rates are usually good, though the stored seed might take 12 months or more to germinate. The seed can be stored for up to 5 years[]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. The leaves of seedlings often have a lot of white patches without chlorophyll, this is normal and older plants produce normal green leaves. Grow the seedlings on in a cold frame for their first winter, and plant them out in the following late spring or early summer[]. Give them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings