How big does a northern bayberry grow?

This rapidly-growing, small, evergreen native tree is capable of reaching a height of 25 feet with an equal spread but is usually seen in the 10 to 20-foot range. Sometimes used as a large shrubbery screen, Bayberry is ideal for use as a small tree, the lower limbs removed to reveal its picturesque form.

Is Northern bayberry toxic?

Warning: The wax from bayberry fruit is considered toxic and may be carcinogenic. The plant materials strong aroma made it attractive for use in the production of sealing wax and soaps (MBG, 2017).

Is bayberry a deciduous?

Myrica pensylvanica, commonly called bayberry, is a dense-branching deciduous shrub with a rounded habit which typically grows 6-10′ tall. A mostly dioecious shrub (male and female flowers appear in separate catkins on separate plants).

How big does a bayberry tree get?

Size & form: A semi-evergreen to deciduous shrub, it is typically 5 to 6 feet high and wide. It can reach 10 feet high. Its shape is upright to rounded with a spreading branch habit.

What do bayberries look like?

Bayberries are brilliantly colored, ranging from white to deep plum. They are approximately two centimeters in diameter and have a very knobby appearance. The small berry is made up of hundreds of tiny finger-like sections that are similar to the tiny vesicles in citrus fruits.

Is bayberry fast growing?

Pruning Bayberry Shrubs You do not need to prune bayberry shrubs often (if at all) since they are slow-growing. In fact, you should take care to avoid any pruning that would ruin the form.

Is bayberry poisonous to dogs?

The roots of the plant were used by Native American as an antidote for menstrual cramps however they can also be toxic if improperly prepared. Dogs that ingest a large amount of any part of the Baneberry plant should have immediate veterinary treatment.

What is bayberry good for?

The root bark and berries are used to make medicine. Despite safety concerns, some people take bayberry for head colds, painful and swollen intestines (colitis), diarrhea, and nausea. In large amounts, bayberry is used to cause vomiting. Some people also use it to stimulate the circulatory system.

Is northern bayberry Evergreen?

pensylvanica is an upright semi-evergreen shrub that often spreads by suckers to form colonies. Northern Bayberry is noted for its ornamental silver berries in winter, its winter salt spray tolerance, and its adaptability to urban stresses or wet sites.

What do Bayberries look like?

Do bayberry bushes have deep roots?

A small bayberry shrub with less than a 1-inch-diameter main stem can be moved bare root, but larger shrubs need soil attached to the root system. Dig a trench deep enough to get below the major roots, usually 15 to 24 inches deep. The trench is dug completely around the perimeter of the shrub.

What is the difference between barberry and bayberry?

As nouns the difference between barberry and bayberry is that barberry is any of the thorny shrubs of genus berberis , which bear yellow flowers and red or blue-black berries while bayberry is a plant in the genus myrica , a north american shrub with aromatic leather leaves and waxy berries.

Where can I find bayberry in North Carolina?

Native to NC marshes, forests, swamps, and fresh to brackish streams, Bayberry is useful in wetlands or restoration gardens, in wet or shady sites, or on a bank for erosion control.

Is the northern bayberry shrub a fire hazard?

This shrub is similar to northern bayberry (M. pennsylvanica), but is, by contrast, a southern heat-loving evergreen species. Fire Risk: These shrubs are considered to be potential fire hazards in some areas because the leaves, stems, and branches contain flammable aromatic compounds.

What are the fruits of the bayberry plant used for?

The fruits of this species have been used for many years to make bayberry candles, soaps, and sealing wax. This plant was also used to make medicine by Native Americans. Waxmyrtle provides excellent winter and extreme weather cover.

Where to plant Myrica cerifera dwarf bayberry?

Good selection for stream or pond margins where periodic flooding or drought may occur. Also attractive as a small tree with lower limbs removed. These shrubs are most often dioecious and require both male and female-flowering for good berry production. It fixes atmospheric nitrogen which helps it survive in poor soils.