Common Name:

General Information

Ehretia dicksonii is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 15 metres tall
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].
Ehretia dicksonii 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(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - northern India, Nepal, central and southern China, Japan, Vietnam

Habitat

Open forests on slopes, shaded moist hillsides; at elevations from 100 - 2,300 metres[]. Warm rocky valleys in the warmer areas of C. and S. Japan[]. In evergreen forests near the sea[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

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[].
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[].
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 20mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is light in weight and tough. It is ssed to make 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.