Cercocarpus betuloides
birchleaf mountain mahogany
Overview
Cercocarpus betuloides is an evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub or small tree in the rose family, growing 6-20 ft (1.8-6 m) tall with an upright, open framework of gray, smooth branches. The small wedge-shaped leaves are 0.5-1.25 in (1.5-3 cm) long, dark green and ribbed above with toothed tips and paler, hairy undersides, resembling birch foliage. In spring it bears small, petal-less flowers in the leaf axils, cream to greenish and cup-shaped, drawing little notice on their own. Each pollinated flower develops a single dry seed tipped with a curved, feathery plume 2-3 in (5-8 cm) long; in quantity these silvery, twisting tails cover the shrub and catch the light. It grows on dry slopes, in chaparral, and on canyon walls across California and the Southwest, on rocky, well-drained soils, and fixes nitrogen through root associations. The shrub is long-lived, slow-growing, and deeply rooted, withstanding heat, drought, and lean soil. Its open habit casts light shade rather than dense cover.
Native Range
Cercocarpus betuloides is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, centered in California and extending into Arizona, Oregon, and Baja California. It grows in chaparral, foothill woodland, and dry rocky slopes.Suggested Uses
Used in dry native and chaparral gardens, slope and bank plantings, and informal screens, spaced 6-10 ft (1.8-3 m) apart. Planted for erosion control and as browse and cover for wildlife on dry ground. Grown as a small specimen tree in low-water landscapes.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 20'
Width/Spread6' - 12'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Bloom Information
Small cream to greenish, petal-less flowers open in the leaf axils in spring, mainly March to May. The flowers are wind- and insect-pollinated and pass unnoticed by most observers. Their lasting interest comes afterward, as each seed extends a long, silvery, feathery tail through summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
cream to greenishFoliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun on dry, rocky, well-drained soils and tolerates heat, drought, and low fertility once established. Soil pH from 6.5 to 8.0 is acceptable. It needs no summer irrigation in its native range and can rot in wet, heavy soil or with frequent watering. Growth is slow, and plants take several years to reach size. The deep roots fix nitrogen and improve poor ground. Browsing deer and livestock graze the foliage, sometimes shaping the lower branches.Pruning
Prune in late winter to shape the shrub or raise it into a small single- or multi-trunk tree. The open habit needs little routine cutting. Old or crowded stems can be thinned at the base to renew the framework.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter