Japanese Raisin Tree (Hovenia dulcis)
Japanese Raisin Tree is a unique deciduous tree from East Asia valued for its unusual edible fruit stalks that taste remarkably like raisins when dried. This attractive ornamental reaches 30-50 feet tall with glossy, heart-shaped leaves and an elegant spreading form, providing beautiful shade and year-round structure. The small, inconspicuous flowers appear in late spring followed by distinctive fleshy fruit stalks (peduncles) that swell and become sweet and edible, tasting like a combination of raisins, pears, and dates. While the actual fruits are small and not particularly noteworthy, the thickened stalks are the true delicacy, eaten fresh when ripe or dried for concentrated sweetness. In traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, the fruits and seeds are used for their purported anti-intoxication and liver-protective properties. Japanese Raisin Tree is remarkably adaptable, thriving in various soil types with good drainage and full sun to partial shade, showing good drought tolerance once established. The tree produces attractive foliage, interesting bark, and reliable crops with minimal pest or disease issues. Hardy across USDA Zones 5-10, this conversation-starting tree combines ornamental beauty with unique edible qualities for adventurous fruit growers and collectors seeking unusual, low-maintenance additions to edible landscapes.
Japanese Raisin Tree (Hovenia dulcis)
Japanese Raisin Tree is a unique deciduous tree from East Asia valued for its unusual edible fruit stalks that taste remarkably like raisins when dried. This attractive ornamental reaches 30-50 feet tall with glossy, heart-shaped leaves and an elegant spreading form, providing beautiful shade and year-round structure. The small, inconspicuous flowers appear in late spring followed by distinctive fleshy fruit stalks (peduncles) that swell and become sweet and edible, tasting like a combination of raisins, pears, and dates. While the actual fruits are small and not particularly noteworthy, the thickened stalks are the true delicacy, eaten fresh when ripe or dried for concentrated sweetness. In traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, the fruits and seeds are used for their purported anti-intoxication and liver-protective properties. Japanese Raisin Tree is remarkably adaptable, thriving in various soil types with good drainage and full sun to partial shade, showing good drought tolerance once established. The tree produces attractive foliage, interesting bark, and reliable crops with minimal pest or disease issues. Hardy across USDA Zones 5-10, this conversation-starting tree combines ornamental beauty with unique edible qualities for adventurous fruit growers and collectors seeking unusual, low-maintenance additions to edible landscapes.
