Handkerchief tree

The Handkerchief Tree is a beautiful and unusual specimen tree with vivid green heart-shaped leaves and showy white bracts in late spring and summer. Davidia involucrata likes sun or partial shade and moist fertile well-drained soil. The Davidia tree is fully hard but needs protection from strong winds.

Davidia involucrata is known by many names, Handkerchief tree, Dove or Ghost tree, all evoke a desire to plant this beautiful tree.  Grown in woodland conditions it also makes a magnificent specimen on a lawn or other points of interest in a garden.

Showy white bracts with black-eyed centres appear on mature trees from late spring into summer. Orange-brown peeling bark and insignificant green/purple berries in autumn. Providing moist fertile well-drained soil will encourage a healthy and fulfilling tree giving much pleasure. No regular pruning is necessary and the usual weed, mulch, and compost in spring are appreciated.