Harvesting of Zanthoxylum americanum fruits typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.
toothache tree
Zanthoxylum americanum
The toothache tree (Zanthoxylum americanum) is a deciduous shrub native to the eastern United States. It typically grows to between 3 and 6 meters tall, and features pinnate leaves with individual leaflets between 7-13 centimeters long. The tree has small, yellowish-green flowers which bloom in the spring, and produce a small, spiny fruit. The bark of the toothache tree, known as "prickly ash" contains anesthetic agents which can be used to relieve toothache pain, hence the tree's common name. This species is also widely used as a decorative plant, due to its attractive foliage.
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Air Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 7
Flowers:
Yellowish - green Flowers In Spring
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Fruits:
green,red,yellow Fruits Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Thorny:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
The toothache tree (Zanthoxylum americanum) typically does not need much water and does best with infrequent, deep watering. Water when the soil appears dry, about once every week to 10 days. However, during dry periods, you may need to water more frequently or even add a few inches of mulch to help retain soil moisture. The soil should always be moist but not waterlogged, so avoid over-watering. Give the tree an extra drink during hot summer days and during the first few weeks after planting.
sunlight
The toothache tree (Zanthoxylum americanum) grows in areas with full sun or partial shade, and should receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day if possible. Morning sun is best, and light dappled shade in the afternoon will reduce the risk of leaf burn. When the tree is grown in full sun, it needs extra water as the strong light encourages it to use up moisture quickly. This species of tree requires consistently moist, well-drained soils and is not tolerant of flooding or drought.
pruning
Toothache tree (Zanthoxylum americanum) requires light pruning in early spring. This will help promote bushiness and promote new growth. Pruning should be done lightly, removing only small branches or stems no more than 1-third of the current growth. If you need to remove a larger stem, cut it just above a node (the place where a branch meets the trunk). Remember, pruning too much can cause damage to the tree and reduce the amount of new growth. It is also important to sanitize pruning tools before using them on the toothache tree to avoid spreading any disease.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit
Starts Flowering
The toothache tree typically starts flowering in April.
Harvest Fruit
Harvesting of Zanthoxylum americanum fruits typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.
