Common Name: Farkleberry

General Information

Vaccinium arboreum is a much-branched, evergreen shrub or a small tree (becoming deciduous in cold winters), that can grow up to 9 metres or more tall in parts of its range, though it is more likely to be below 5 metres. The bole can be up to 35cm in diameter[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. The tree usually flowers abundantly and is sometimes grown as an ornamental[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

South-eastern N. America - Kansas to Virginia, south to Texas and Florida

Habitat

Moist sandy soils by ponds and streams[]. Usually found in most shady slightly alkaline soils along stream banks, bluffs, hammocks and in open woods[]. Sandy or rocky habitats, usually xeric woodlands; at elevations up to 800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a moist but freely-draining lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould[, ]. Plants are usually found on dry, sandy or rocky soils in the wild[], with one report that they also grow on slightly alkaline soils[]. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[]. Requires shelter from strong winds[]. Established plants can tolerate short droughts, but often succumb in longer periods of drought[]. Although generally preferring a well-drained soil, the plant is also found wild in areas subject to seasonal flooding[].
Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[].
Plants are deciduous when growing in cold climates[].
A slow-growing tree[].
The flowers are very attractive to bees, being a good source of nectar[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Dry and slightly astringent but with a pleasant flavour[]. Dry and insipid according to another report[] whilst another says that it is dry, sweet and mealy[] and yet another says that it is bitter and inedible[]. The black fruit is about 7 - 9mm in diameter[, , ].

Medicinal

The berries, root-bark and leaves are very astringent and have been used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery etc[, , ]. The infusion is also valuable in treating sore throats, chronic ophthalmia, leucorrhoea etc[].

Other Uses

Said to be an excellent rootstock for 'Rabbiteye' blueberries (forms of Vaccinium corymbosum), the resulting cultivars are well suited to droughty upland sites with soils with a relatively high pH[, ].

Tannin is obtained from the bark and root[, ].

The brown to reddish brown wood is heavy, hard, tough and very close grained. It weighs 48lb per cubic foot. Used for making tool handles and other small articles[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed[]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[]. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[]. Once they are about 5cm tall, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position 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, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame[]. Slow and difficult.
Layering in late summer or early autumn[]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[]. Takes 18 months[].
Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[].