Hovenia dulcis aka Japanese Raisintree

Hovenia dulcis is a deciduous tree in the buckthorn family. Gardeners know it as the Japanese or Chinese raisin tree. Its native range includes the Himalayas, China, and northern Indo-China. Other sources extend its range to Korea and Japan. It grows on plains, mountain slopes, and in secondary forest.

Garden trees reach about 30–40 feet (9–12 metres) tall. Their crowns spread about 20–26 feet (6–8 metres), sometimes wider. Some trees reach 50 feet (15 metres) in height. Young trees grow upright, then form a broad, open crown. Growth is moderate, though one source calls it fast. The bark has ridges and a gray to brown tone. Reddish-brown twigs carry pointed buds with fine hairs. The glossy leaves grow in an alternate pattern. Each simple leaf has a toothed edge and heart-shaped base. Some leaves have soft hairs beneath them. Fall color varies: leaves may turn yellow or drop green.

Small, scented flowers form loose clusters during early to midsummer. Their pale cream or greenish color draws little attention. Bees and other insects visit them. Trees may start flowering at three to four years old. After bloom, the flower stalks swell and become sweet. These fleshy stalks, not the true fruits, provide the raisin-like food. Frost can improve their sweet taste. People eat them fresh, cooked, or dried. The small true fruits hold three seeds. Seeds may fail to ripen in gardens. Extracts from seeds and young leaves serve as sweeteners.

Full sun suits this tree best, though it accepts partial shade. It favors rich sandy loam but grows in other soils. Give it moist soil that drains well. Soil pH can range from acid to alkaline. Shelter protects its brittle branches and guards against cold winds. Long, hot summers help new wood mature and support flowering. Soft shoots can suffer frost damage and develop coral spot. Sources list USDA zones 5–10 and UK hardiness H5.

The open crown gives light shade in gardens and larger spaces. Birds visit for the fruit, and fallen crops create litter. Its hard wood suits furniture making. Sources report few serious pests or diseases and no known hazards. Traditional medicine uses its fruit, seeds, and bark. These reports do not establish medical safety or benefit. It can escape gardens and crowd out native plants. Reports identify invasive populations in Texas and several South American countries.