Hardy rugged little Native American tree that will grow in most conditions except waterlogged soils and those that are highly alkaline. Deciduous in most of its range (zones 3-7) but will keep leaves in warm winters in zone 7. Aromatic leathery leaves are used as a substitute for bay leaf (hence the name) but it also makes it resistant to browsing by animals. Male and females trees with females producing clusters of small blue/gray berries that as well as being ornamental and a high energy food source for many birds during the winter months. Makes an excellent screen, it is very salt tolerant and is ideal for sandy soils, shore locations and roadsides. Fairly drought tolerant once established takes little care. Deep roots make it idea for soil conservation and stabilization. Does need special treatment and cold stratification before it will germinate.
The leaves are dark green and glossy up to 4 inches (10cm) long lance shaped and pointed at both ends but on occasion they can be more rounded at the tip. The margins are lightly serrated and they have a leathery texture and are covered in oil glands. When crushed the leaves emit a spice fragrance similar to bay leaf (hence the name).
Bayberry come in both male and female plants. The flowers of each are small and would be totally unnoticed if they did not appear before the leaves. The females are simple pale yellow to green spikes technically called catkins. They have no petals at all. The males are only slightly larger and slightly more conspicuous due to their brownish yellow coloring. Flowering is brief and can easily go unnoticed.
The fruits that follow on the female bushes are far more noticeable. While still small each berry being about 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3 to 8 mm) in diameter they are borne in fairly large clusters and are a bluish gray in color. The berries have a thick waxy coating giving them an interesting texture and slightly sticky nature if harvested. They are also very aromatic. Berries will persist on the bush all winter long and are an important food source for many forms of wildlife.
You will need
" A sheet of course sandpaper
" A sanding sponge course to medium course.
1. Place the sandpaper on a flat stable surface and put the seeds on it. Only use a few at a time, 5 -10 maximum.
2. Use the sanding sponge to rub against the seeds rub hard, the waxy coat is quite tough. You will need to move it around the sponge and the sandpaper as the wax will clog up the paper(s). Seeds appear to be about half the size they were before you started removing the wax.
3. Once the wax is removed, if you have more seeds do the next batch. Only process as many seeds as you intend to work with at one time. Leave the others alone as the waxy coat will keep them more viable. Place any unused seeds in the refridgerator and keep them there.
4. Place processed seeds in a small container. Boil some water. pour some into a different container and let it stand. You want to put the seeds into hot but not boiling water. If the water is too hot it will kill the seeds. We found the best way to test the water is to put your index finger in it. If you can hold it there for the slow count of 6 before removing it then its cool enough for the seeds.
5. Place the seeds in the water and agitate it. The objective is to remove the rest of the wax so the more you move them around the more likely it is to dissolve. Do this for about 15 minutes, then remove the seeds from the hot water.
6. Sources suggest that you soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. If you decide to do this then use warm to cool water do not leave them in hot water. We have not found this stage to be essential.
Once seeds have been de-waxed they need to be moist stratified for 60 days minimum, some sources suggest 90 days. We usually let ours sit for about 75 days. To determine the best stratification method for you see our Stratification instructions. These are included with all orders along with a detailed growing guide.
Once stratification is complete sow seeds in small individual pots or at most 2 seeds to a small pot. Sow about 1/4 inch (8mm) deep and keep moist. Use sterile seeding mix to keep mold and weeds to a minimum. Place in a cool area with light, not in warmth like regular seeds and do not place on a heat pad.
Seeds usually germinate in about 25 days but some can be stubborn and take longer. Do not discard pots for at least 9 months just keep outside in a semi shaded location and keep moist.
We do not recommend direct seeding of Bayberry due to the toughness of the wax coating it can take a long time to break down and for the seed to grow. By which time you most likely have forgotten you planted it and may pull it out as a weed. The waxy coating is very nutritious to small animals so the likelihood of it begin eaten is high.
It does not like alkaline soils. Does best in neutral to slightly acidic well drained soils and is tolerant of almost all other soil types. While it does not well on totally waterlogged soils it will tolerant some flooding and is sometimes used in rain gardens. It prefers moist to slightly peaty soils but will flourish on thin, shallow soils. Its native to sandy dunes, pine barrens, dry forests and slopes as well as bog and swamp margins.
While it needs some water it is fairly drought tolerant once its established and does well in almost any garden.
Does best in full sun and should be planted there in cooler zones (3-5b) from 6-7 it can tolerate a little shade. Will do best in sunny location sheltered from the winds where it can grow tall. In windy locations it may take on a more prostrate habit but its still useful to covering the soil.
Bayberry is best grown in groups and it makes an ideal screening plant especially in zone below 5a. If berries are desirable several trees should be planted as its impossible to determine the sex of the plant until it flowers. Trees usually flower in about their third for forth year from seed depending on their location. At this point some unwanted males can be removed.
Bayberry form symbiotic relationships with certain soil micro-organisms, which form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. While most is used by the Bayberry itself some is released into the soil for use by other plants.
Due to its leathery aromatic leaves Bayberry is deer resistant as well as other browsing animals. Under certain conditions it will sucker and may form sizable colonies. It is an excellent substitute for the invasive Japanese Barberry.
The dense foliage make it ideal for many bird species to nest in and if planted in groups make it even more attractive as the thick branches are ideal at reducing predators. If trees have many trunks and are low to the ground small rodents can also den beneath them for the same reasons.
The berries are an invaluable source of food to many birds. They are a very high energy food due to the wax and dozens of bird species rely on them for winter food.
Harvest leaves at any time after they have matured.
Both can be dried for later use.
The berries can be cooked and used but their is little edible flesh and the quality is poor.
The leaves can be used to make a very effective gray-green dye.