Maclura Tricuspidata * Cudrania Tricuspidata * Chinese Che * Mandarin Melon Berry * 5 Seeds *

5 SEEDS A deciduous shrub or small tree with simple leaves and small flowers in summer followed by red, raspberry-like fruits in late fall that are edible and sweet and have flavors of mulberry, watermelon or figs. Maclura tricuspidata is widespread in China and Korea to 2200 m and makes a very cold hardy and robust ornamental for temperate climates. Family Moraceae Origin Native from the Shantung and Kiangson Provinces of China to the Nepalese sub-Himalayas USDA hardiness zones 5-6; also grows well into subtropical regions Uses Use fresh in fruit salad or eat out of hand Height 25 ft (7.6 m) to rarely 60 ft (18.3 m) Plant habit Broad, spreading bush or small tree; suckers are produced at the base of the plant; with age develops a spreading flattened top Trunk/bark/branches Immature wood thorny; bark ripples with deep furrows Pruning requirement Trees fruit on the current year’s wood; prune heavily in winter to encourage new growth for best fruit production Leaves Alternate; pale yellowish-green; trilobate; frequently unlobed Flowers Dioecious, male and female flowers on different plants, green, pea-sized Fruit Is an aggregate fruit; knotty; ripens to red or maroon-red; juicy, rich flesh; 3-6 small brown edible seeds Season July-Sept. Light requirement Will grow more vigorously and produce more fruit in full sun Soil tolerances Prefers sandy, mildly acidic soil, but will tolerate a wide range of soil types pH preference 6.0-6.5 Drought tolerance Tolerant Cold tolerance - 20°F (-28 °C) Plant spacing Grafted trees should be planted on 20 ft (6.1) centers