Japanese Raisin Tree (Hovenia dulcis)

Japanese Raisin Tree aka Oriental Raisin Tree, Rasin Tree (Hovenia dulcis) is a beautiful hardy tree native to Japan, Eastern China and Korea, growing to altitudes of 6,000 feet in the Himalayas. Clusters of fragrant, showy, creamy white flowers in mid-summer are followed by reddish fruits with thick fleshy stems that are pleasantly aromatic and sweet. Dried they look and taste like raisins. An extract of the seeds and leaves have been used as a substitute for honey. Studies have shown the fruits to contain Quercertin, which helps the liver recover from alcohol. Mature leaf extracts have also been shown to have medicinal purposes. Large rounded tree to 35 feet tall makes a great shade tree or specimen. Good wildlife tee and hardy zones 6-8.