Description
Description: This is a tree that has something to offer almost the whole year round. In early spring before the leaves appear, it has a wealth of single white flowers. This profusion of white bloom commonly occurs at the same time the shad are spawning, hence the name Shadblow or Shadbush. It has red fruits early in summer, similar in size and shape to those of hawthorns; but unfortunately, these are taken quite rapidly by the birds and don’t have the ornamental value they would have if they stayed on longer. In the fall the tree gives brilliant yellow to red autumn coloration. In the winter the trees, when they attain some size, are quite desirable because of their prominent grayish bark. This tree can be found growing in extremely swampy areas as well as relatively dry hillsides and will adapt to a wide variety of soil types. It is also salt tolerant and can be planted quite close to the sea. This is an excellent plant to intersperse with pine and spruce in a large conifer border. Its flowers, leaves and rather gray trunk will give a different texture throughout the year to the green conifers without growing so fast and large as to overwhelm them.
