Ziziphus jujuba aka Chinese Date

Ziziphus jujuba, or jujube, belongs to the buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae. It also goes by the name Chinese date. Kew places its native range in northern and eastern China and southern Korea. Some garden sources give a wider range reaching southeastern Europe. People in China have grown it for over 4,000 years. This tree loses its leaves each year. It can also grow as a large shrub.

Garden trees reach 15–30 feet [4.6–9.1 metres] tall. Their spread can reach 30 feet [9.1 metres]. Some accounts describe trees reaching 40 feet [12.2 metres]. The crown may be rounded, vase-shaped, or uneven. Branches droop, and brown twigs bend in a zigzag pattern. Straight or hooked spines grow along the twigs. Dark brown or gray bark forms scales, blocks, or grooves. The simple leaves grow in an alternate pattern. They have a glossy green surface and fine teeth. Three clear veins start at each leaf's base. Leaves may turn yellow before they fall.

Small, scented flowers appear from May to June. Their white to yellow-green petals draw little visual notice. They grow where the leaves meet the stems. Bees visit the flowers, and the tree attracts other wildlife. Its oval or round fruit is a drupe with a hard pit. Green fruit has an apple-like taste and texture. As it ripens, it turns brown-purple and grows wrinkled. The ripe fruit resembles a date. People eat the fruit fresh, dried, or cooked. They use it in bread, cakes, soups, and preserves. PFAF also lists the leaves as edible.

Give jujube full sun and soil that drains well. It accepts light shade, poor soil, and a broad pH range. Warm, fairly dry climates suit it well. Mature trees withstand drought, but steady moisture supports better growth. Avoid heavy soil that stays wet. Sources place its hardiness in USDA zones 6–9. Cool summers or short seasons can prevent fruit from ripening.

Gardeners grow jujube for fruit, shade, screens, and hedges. Its hard wood also serves for tools, fuel, and charcoal. Roots send up suckers, and fallen fruit can make litter. No major insect or disease problems are reported. Spines can make handling awkward. The plant has a history of use in Chinese medicine. PFAF warns people taking diabetes drugs to use caution. The evidence gives no general toxicity finding for people or pets.