Dove tree

Up for a challenge. Dove tree (Davidia involucrata) is a medium-size tree from China. Mature dove trees are 30-40 feet in height and 20-30 feet in width. A young tree exhibits a pyramidal form and forms a rounded canopy at maturity. The coarsely textured 4 – 5 inch circular leaves are bright green with no significant fall color, dropping either pale green to brown.

In early May dove tree in bloom is an awesome sight to behold.  All attention is focused on the two uneven white bracts, one 7- inches long and 4- inches wide and a second shorter 4- inches long anf 2- inches wide bract. A slight breeze rustling past the two white bracts creates an illusion of dove wings aflutter, earning such pseudonyms like “handkerchief tree” and “ghost tree”. The true ¾- inch wide dome flowers are insignificant.

Ordinarily, you must wait ten or more years for dove tree to bloom the first time (and not every year). ‘Sonoma’ is a new cultivar which flowers reliably within 2 – 3 years after planting and does so annually.  As the tree ages, its scaly orange- brown bark offers minor winter interest.

Dove tree need to be properly sited in a moist well-drained loamy soil in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). Guard against extreme summer heat and winter cold blasts and irrigate during summer dry spells.  Disease and pest problems are as rare as dove trees.

 Dove tree may be purchased from specialty plant nurseries on the internet or from mail order.