Description

Leaves: Alternate; simple; two or more glands or bumps on petiole; deciduous.

Twigs/buds: Twigs medium texture; reddish brown; with prominent lenticels.  Buds scaly, red-brown like twig.

Flowers/fruit: Flowers perfect, fragrant, 1/2", white, in elongated, drooping bunches appearing in early May.  Fruit is a 1/4" to 1/3" diameter black drupe maturing in mid to late summer.

Bark: Grayish, greenish or dark brown; rough; has dark lenticels.

Wood: Black knot fungus often a problem; causes dark swellings on branches; little information available. 

General: Small to medium sized tree, depending on cultivar, native to Europe, Asia, and Japan.  Shade intolerant.  Weak wood and/or branch structure.  Thorns or spines that can be dangerous; use thornless varieties if possible.  Fruit and/or plant part can be nuisances; use fruitless varieties if possible.

Landscape Use: Black knot disease is a problem.  Various canopy and inflorescence sizes and foliage colors are available.  Zones 3(2?)-7.

Cultivars: 'Albertii', 'Berg', 'Colorata', var. commutata Dipp. 'Plena', 'Spaethii', Summer Glow®, 'Watereri'.

Characteristics