The Dove tree is a broadleaf deciduous tree that grows 20 to 60 feet in height with orange and brown bark and alternate simple leaves. It is a native of China, but is rare in cultivation even in China. Pyramidal in youth, it matures with a rounded; dense branching form. The tree flowers in early spring with two large, white bracts surrounding a flower and resembling a dove in shape. It is slow to begin flowering. Variable fall color ranges from undistinguished dull pastels to bright oranges and reds. The plant can be grown from seed, but it can take up to 10 years after planting for a tree to flower, and it may not regularly flower each year thereafter. The genus name honors Abbe Armand David (1826-1900), a French missionary in China who collected many plants and animals. The specific epithet refers to the ring of bracts surrounding the flowers. Plant in full sun to partial shade; the tree may appreciate afternoon shade in areas with hot summers. The Dove tree prefers moist, well-drained, organically rich soil and does not tolerate drying out in times of drought. In sites subject to heavy wind, the tree may need support or protection. Use as a specimen or shade tree or in an Asian theme garden. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
24-60 feet
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in. | Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Pyramidal; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Dentate; Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Toothed, broad oval, red-stalked, bright green leaves (3 to 6 inches long) are heart-shaped at the base.
Flower color
Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower size
> 6 inches
Flower detail
Flowers in April and May. Produces two large, white bracts surrounding red flowers and resembling a dove. It is slow to begin flowering. The oval-rounded white involucre bracts (one 3-4 inches long and the other 6-7 inches long) which subtend each flower cluster, flutter in the slightest breeze, like white doves sitting in the tree, hence the common name.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Cream/Tan
Fruit type
Nut
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit detail
Flowers are followed by round, greenish-brown fruits on 2 to 3 inch stems. Nuts contain 3 to 6 seeds.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Orange
Bark detail
Orange and brown bark, horizontally fissured.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
South Central China
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Nut
Landscape Use
Landscape theme
Asian Garden
Design feature
Flowering Tree; Shade Tree; Specimen
Garden tags
#deciduous #interesting flowers #interesting bark #flowering tree #shade tree #red flowers #white bracts #medium size tree #bracts