Age / Size: 1-0 / 18-24" · Height: 49-66 ft (15-20 m) · Spread: canopy up to 39 ft (12 m) wide Crown shape: Medium tree, dense pyramidal habit; leaves ovate, mitten-shaped or three-lobed on the same tree Light: Sun to partial shade · Soil: Well-drained sandy, acidic soils; adapts to others if well drained · Moisture: Drought tolerant once established; avoid wet clay where root rot occurs · Zones: not stated · Growth rate: Rapid, particularly from root sprouts — 4 ft in the first year and 15 ft in four years Flowers / fruit: Small yellow-green flowers in early to mid-spring; female trees bear blue drupes on red stalks; brilliant yellow-orange-red fall colour Wildlife & landscape: Swallowtail butterflies eat the leaves; native bees nest in dead hollow stems; fruit eaten by birds Native range: Southwestern Maine to central Michigan, southeastern Iowa to eastern Texas and Florida Cautions: All parts aromatic — scratched bark releases a spicy scent. Suckers repeatedly and forms thickets; remove suckers for a single trunk. Large taproot makes transplanting established trees difficult. Chlorosis in alkaline soils; highly susceptible to fire damage; laurel wilt. Sources: NC State Extension · Wikipedia

PICK-UP INSTRUCTIONS: All Tree Sale orders are to be picked up at Farmstead Flats (6338 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI 49002) - on April 16th, 2026 (9am-5pm) and/or April 17th, 2026 (9am-12pm)