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Ziziphus jujuba

Ziziphus jujuba

Jujube, Chinese Red Date

synonym Ziziphus zizyphus

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Description

Ziziphus jujuba (Chinese jujube) belongs to the Rhamnaceae family and was already cultivated around 9000 BC. Because of this extremely long history of cultivation, it is difficult to determine the species’ exact place of origin. It is generally assumed that it occurs naturally in a region stretching from Lebanon to northern India and central China. The tree is also found in southeastern Europe. Due to its remarkable adaptability, Ziziphus jujuba is grown throughout many Asian countries, and with around four hundred known cultivars the edible fruits are widely produced commercially. The Chinese jujube becomes a small to medium sized, irregular and semi open tree about eight to ten meters tall and six meters wide.

The most striking feature of Ziziphus jujuba is its distinctive zigzag branching pattern, with one or two thorns at the base of each leaf. The dark gray brown bark is deeply and irregularly furrowed. The elongated, oval leaves emerge light green and turn glossy dark green in summer. As in Heptacodium miconioides the leaves have three prominent main veins. The leaf margins are serrated and the texture is rough. The species produces inconspicuous yellow flowers at the end of April and the beginning of May, usually in pairs or clusters of three. In autumn, fleshy edible drupes develop, turning from green to red and eventually black brown when ripe. At full maturity they become wrinkled like dates.

This beautiful and characterful plant has limited winter hardiness and is therefore best suited to sheltered sites and warm microclimates. Temperatures down to twelve degrees below zero are tolerated. Patios and protected gardens are ideal locations. The Chinese jujube is also used in food forests. For good fruit production, sufficient warmth and moisture are required. However, both cooler mountain climates and desert environments are no problem as long as there is adequate groundwater. Ziziphus jujuba grows well on all acidic to slightly calcareous soils that are well drained.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees characteristic trees fruit trees

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

park in containers roof garden large garden cemetery coastal area

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

food forest urban planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

rounded rounded

Crown structure

open open

Height

6 - 10 m

Width

5 - 9 m

Winter hardiness zone

8A - 11B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind tolerant to coastal wind

Soil

loess light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees humans

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Ziziphus jujuba? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
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Ziziphus jujuba characteristic
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Ziziphus jujuba characteristic
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Ziziphus jujuba multi-stem
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Ziziphus jujuba flowers
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Ziziphus jujuba leaves
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Ziziphus jujuba leaves
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Ziziphus jujuba leaves
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Ziziphus jujuba fruits
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Ziziphus jujuba fruits
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Ziziphus jujuba fruits
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Ziziphus jujuba fruits
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Ziziphus jujuba bark
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Ziziphus jujuba bark
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Ziziphus jujuba bark
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Ziziphus jujuba bark
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Ziziphus jujuba leaves
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Ziziphus jujuba twigs
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Ziziphus jujuba twigs

Flowers

Flowers

star-shaped small

Flower colour

yellow-green

Flowering period

May - June

Leaves

Leaf colour

green

Leaves

deciduous ovate lanceolate matt polished serrate

Autumn colour

pale yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

red-brown

Fruits

striking edible drupe

Bark

Bark colour

cream pink

Bark

deeply furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

grey-brown

Twigs

thorned

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
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m
OK
Width
m
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m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
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December
OK
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Autumn colour
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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