Hovenia dulcis (also known as Japanese raisin tree or currant tree is an interesting deciduous tree from the Rhamnaceae family.

• Origin
  • Native to East Asia: eastern China, Korea, Japan and parts of the Himalayas (up to approx. 2000 m altitude).
  • Grows naturally in moist, shady mountain areas on sandy or loamy soils.
  • Used for centuries in traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese medicine
  • Later introduced as an ornamental tree in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil (there invasive in subtropical forests) and parts of Europe.
• Care / breeding
  • Size: Grows to a height of 6m and more but is often kept smaller in gardens.
  • Winter hardiness: Good winter hardiness (down to -15 to -25 °C at rest, can be grown outdoors in the Netherlands/Belgium, but prefers a continental climate with hot summers for good wood aging.
  • Plant position: Full sun to light shade; preferably sunny and sheltered (wind intolerant).
  • Soil: Well-drained, moderately moist; sandy-loam, loamy or fertile; tolerates dry periods moderately well, but not wet feet (no heavy clay or poorly drained soil).
  • Water: Water regularly in the first years and in case of drought; after that quite drought tolerant.
  • Power supply: Few requirements; Grows well in moderately to richly fertilized soil.
  • Pruning: Little needed; Prune form in dormancy (winter) if you want to keep it smaller.
  • Pests/diseases: Few problems; rarely affected by fungi or insects.
  • General: Low maintenance requirements; Grows with minimal care in temperate/subtropical climates.
• Usage
  • Edible: The fleshy stem (rachis) of the fruit becomes edible when ripe and swollen – tastes sweet, raisin-like (hence the name); raw food, drying like raisins, or processing in tea, wine, candy, jam.
  • Extracts: Seeds, young leaves and branches as a honey substitute or sugar substitute.