The hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata) typically begins to produce fruit in late summer, usually in August or September.
hop tree
Ptelea trifoliata
The hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata) is a deciduous flowering species native to North America. It is a medium-sized tree with an average height of between 10 and 25 feet. Its grayish brown bark is ridged with scaly leaf markings and its foliage is made up of three leaflets, with the central leaflet being significantly larger than the other two. It has white flowers that bloom in early summer and are a major food source for area butterflies. The fruit of the hop tree is round and contains sticky seeds that birds use as a food source. It grows in a variety of environments, from dry fields to moist forests.
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Minimum
Propagation:
Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation,Root Division
Hardiness Zone:
4 - 9
Flowers:
Greenish white Flowers
Sun:
Full sun Partial sun Shade
Soil:
Sandy Loamy Clay Rocky
Fruits:
Fruits Ready In Fall
Edible:
Yes
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green,yellow
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Poisonous To Pets:
Yes
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Thorny:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata) should be watered regularly but not overly so. During the warmer months, aim to water the tree once every 7-10 days, making sure the soil is damp but not soggy. During the cooler months, you can reduce watering frequency to once in 3 weeks or so. The soil should not be allowed to dry out completely. It is important to water deeply, saturating the root zone, rather than sprinkling a minimal amount of water over the root zone. Check the soil for moisture regularly and provide more water when needed.
sunlight
The hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata) grows best in full sun or partial shade. It tolerates shade but will not grow as vigorously in these conditions. During the peak of summer, the hop tree should receive about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day, with some afternoon shade in extremely hot climates. During the cooler winter months, the plant requires less direct light, and some shading may be beneficial.
pruning
Pruning of the hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata) is best done in late winter or early spring. Pruning is important to promote healthy growth in the tree and should be done every couple of years. Pruning should be done selectively, removing crossing, broken, and dead branches. An overall crown thinning of 2-thirds of the tree's interior foliage should be done, but do not remove more than that as the hop tree is naturally dense. Avoid pruning the tree after August, as this may cause it to regrow new shoots which do not harden off before the winter. It is important to sterilize cutting tools with 1 part bleach to 9 parts water between cuts to reduce the risk of disease. After pruning is finished, make sure to check the remaining tree for weak spots in the canopy. This will ensure that the hop tree is well balanced and will reduce the risk of the tree over-stressing itself during a storm.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit
Starts Flowering
Hop tree typically starts flowering in April.
Harvest Fruit
The hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata) typically begins to produce fruit in late summer, usually in August or September.
