Sinojackia xylocarpa
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- sy-no-JAK-ee-a zy-lo-KAR-puh
- Description
-
Jack Tree was discovered by Professor H. H. Hu in Nanking China in 1925, the only location where it is native. This area receives some protection, while a portion is vulnerable to loss due to habitat degradation.
Specimens can be found flourishing in arboretums and botanical gardens worldwide. It can be difficult if not impossible to find for a home garden.
Jack Tree is a flowering deciduous tree or large shrub native to eastern China. Plant in moist, well-drained, acidic, fertile soils in the full sun to partial shade. Once established these trees are resistant to drought. Protection from afternoon sun is recommended.
Pruning includes pinching to remove the stem tips from a young plant, which in turn will promote branching while avoiding severe pruning as the tree matures. Thinning by the removal of entire branches to the trunk. This will allow more light and air circulation through the branches and can help eliminate diseases.
Often confused with Sinojackia rehderiana. The size and shape of its fruits can help with identification. Sinojackia rehderiana has ovoid fruits, under 3/4" in length, while the fruits of Sinojackia xylocarpa are ellipsoid and larger.
Two cultivars of Sinojackia xylocarpa, 'Lagrima' and 'Linda Carol', were both developed in North Carolina.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Lagrima'
Its branches are fastigiate, they grow upwards, parallel to the trunk. - 'Linda Carol'
Weeping, spreading habit.
- 'Lagrima'
- 'Lagrima', 'Linda Carol'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Lagrima'
Its branches are fastigiate, they grow upwards, parallel to the trunk. - 'Linda Carol'
Weeping, spreading habit.
- 'Lagrima'
- 'Lagrima', 'Linda Carol'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sinojackia
- Species:
- xylocarpa
- Family:
- Styracaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Landscape
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern China
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Shade
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Woody egg shaped drupe 3/4" long ripen mid-summer through fall.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- 6 petals/rays
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- White star-shaped flowers with yellow centers appear from May to June in clusters of 3-5 on a cyme. They hang downward toward the ground. Flowers can have from 5 to 7 petals.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Dark green, glossy 3 1/2" long obovate to ellipitcal leaves with serrate margins. Yellow-brown fall color.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Heat
- Insect Pests
