Plant DetailShow Menu

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', 'Linda Carol'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#deciduous shrub#flowering tree#disease resistant#large shrub#deer resistant#glossy leaves#frost tolerant#flowers late spring#deciduous tree
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Lagrima'
    Its branches are fastigiate, they grow upwards, parallel to the trunk.
  • 'Linda Carol'
    Weeping, spreading habit.
'Lagrima', 'Linda Carol'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#deciduous shrub#flowering tree#disease resistant#large shrub#deer resistant#glossy leaves#frost tolerant#flowers late spring#deciduous tree
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
  • 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