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Pteroceltis tatarinowii

Phonetic Spelling
ter-oh-SEL-tiss
Description

Blue Sandlewood is a hardy, flowering, multi-stemmed deciduous tree in the hops family native to the mountainous regions of China and found on limestone, river and stream banks at elevations of more than 300 feet. At maturity, the tree can reach a height of 30 to 45 feet tall, with some reaching 60 feet. It is typically grown as an ornamental, but is also harvested in China to make Xuan paper. The insignificant green flowers appear in spring and fall leaf color is yellow. The gray-brown bark exfoliates in dramatic fashion in patches and ribbons.

This tree prefers moist, well-drained loamy soil in full sun, but is tolerant of most soil types including gravely and sandy ones. It is drought tolerant when established. It can be used as a shade tree.

The slender shoots and leaves of an immature tree are clothed with small appressed hairs which soon fall away.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#shade tree#drought tolerant#fall interest#lumber#exfoliating bark#ornamental tree
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#shade tree#drought tolerant#fall interest#lumber#exfoliating bark#ornamental tree
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pteroceltis
    Species:
    tatarinowii
    Family:
    Cannabaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Valued as a good quality timber tree. The bark fiber is used to make Xuan paper, a soft and fine-textured paper thought suitable for conveying artistic expression.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Dimensions:
    Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 45 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Nut
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    1/2 to 3/4 inch winged, yellowish green to yellowish brown nut appears from August to October. The nut is borne on a slender stalk about 1/2 inch long.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Insignificant green flowers appear from March through May. The flowers are unisexual, the males in stalkless clusters, the females solitary in the leaf-axils.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Two to four inch, broadly ovate to oblong leaves with serrated margins. Medium to dark green leaves. Fall color is yellow. Four to six secondary veins on each side of midvein. The upper surface is harsh to the touch, with innumerable minute warts; the lower surface has tufts of down.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Bark Description:
    Dramatic grayish white to dark gray exfoliating bark in ribbons covers the mature tree.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Lenticels:
    Conspicuous
    Stem Description:
    Woody, brown stems with white lenticels. Winter buds ovoid.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Design Feature:
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought