The harvesting season for Zanthoxylum clava-herculis typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.
southern prickly-ash
Zanthoxylum clava-herculis
Southern Prickly-ash (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) is native to eastern North America and is a small deciduous tree with stiff branches. It is a member of the citrus family and as such its leaves have fragrant, citrus-like aroma when crushed. The bark of the tree is also aromatic and well as being covered in spines. It produces small clusters of yellow flowers in spring followed by red-purple fruits that are fragrant, but inedible to humans. Southern Prickly-ash has largely remained unused with the notable exception being the indigenous American people, some of whom used the bark and berries for medicinal purposes. It is a versatile ornamental tree which will tolerate most soils in a sunny position and makes an interesting focal point in gardens.
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
7 - 9
Flowers:
Greenish-yellow to white Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Fruits:
green,yellow Fruits Ready In Fall
Edible:
Yes
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Thorny:
Yes
Invasive:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Southern Prickly-Ash should be watered regularly, 1-2 times per week, using just enough water to keep the soil moist. During these watering sessions, water deeply to ensure that the entire root system receives adequate moisture. If the soil is dry to the touch it is time to water. In summer, the frequency may be increased slightly while in winter watering can be decreased. In general, southern prickly-ash plants prefer a lot of humidity and soil that is not allowed to completely dry out between watering sessions. Soil should be damp, but not soggy. Drainage is also important, so waterlogged soil should be avoided.
sunlight
Southern prickly-ash (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) generally does best in full sunlight. Plants will benefit from 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Too little sunlight may lead to stunted growth and decreased flowering, while too much may cause wilting and sunburn. If possible, it is best to position the southern prickly-ash plant in a location that receives morning sun and afternoon shade to help protect it from the intense summer heat. Southern prickly-ash will tolerate partial shade, but will not thrive and bloom as well as when grown in full sunlight.
pruning
Southern prickly-ash (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) should be pruned during the Summer when the plant is actively growing. Pruning should be done conservatively, only removing about 1-third of the existing growth. This will keep the plant healthy and promote new growth. Feel free to shape the plant however much you'd like, but be aware that you should not prune off more than 1-third. Proper pruning is a great way to ensure that your southern prickly-ash stays looking neat and healthy.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit
Starts Flowering
Southern prickly-ash typically starts flowering in April.
Harvest Fruit
The harvesting season for Zanthoxylum clava-herculis typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.
