Georgia Wildlife Federation

Resources < Wildlife Habitats < Guide to Native Plants of Georgia for Wildlife < Symplocos tinctoria

Sweetleaf is a marvelous early spring tree that quite simply begs to be planted more often. It is a wonderful companion to other early-flowering trees like the Flowering Dogwood or Sparkleberry. Because it is somewhat lacking in fall color, other great companions with fall crimsons like Blackgum or Sourwood help keep the interest all year long. An important thing to remember is to prune in spring immediately after flowering to prevent removing next year’s flower buds.

In early spring, Sweetleaf decorates itself with small, creamy white spherical flower clusters that exude a wonderful perfume. It provides an important food source early in spring as insects are just waking up from other stages of their life cycles that allow them to survive winter. The white color and strong scent of the blooms help guide moths to them during the dark hours of the night. Other interesting aspects about this underused tree are that its leaves are sweet to the taste, and its roots are aromatic, similar to Sassafras.

Family: Symplocaceae (Sweetleaf)

Description: Sweetleaf is a deciduous shrub or small tree with upward curving branches. Bark is grayish green or brown, initially smooth but later develops warty lenticels and shallow splits. Leaves are alternate, simple, 2-6” long, oblong or elliptical, thick, shiny green above and yellow below, and taste sweet. Globular clusters of small flowers are monoecious, with white petals and numerous stamens. Fruits are dry drupes, ½” long, egg-shaped, orange-brown, and mature in late summer.

Size: 15 to 35 feet tall, and 10-20 feet wide

Habit: A deciduous shrub or small tree

Growth Rate: Moderate

Light: Full sun to full shade

Planting and Care: Sweetleaf grows best in a strongly acid and rich soil. For the former, apply sulfur or use fertilizers formulated for azaleas, or amend the soil with chopped pine needles. For the latter, amend the backfill with plenty of mulch (especially oak and pine leaves, which help acidify the soil) and compost. Do not prune the tree during fall or winter because Sweetleaf blooms on old growth rather than new growth.

Ornamental Value: The attraction to Sweetleaf comes in early spring right as the leaves are opening. The entire plant pops out in brilliant, puffy clusters of strongly scented blooms alongside other complementary early spring trees like the Flowering Dogwood. It also makes an excellent companion to Sparkleberry, Sassafras, Blackgum, and Sourwood.

Landscape Use: Use Sweetleaf as a specimen, grouping, understory tree, or row planting. It looks wonderful when several are planted under larger, mature trees like post, white, or swamp chestnut oaks, or longleaf pines. Its blooms are highly visible in open woods as well.

Wildlife Benefits: The foliage of Sweetleaf is eaten by the rare King’s Hairstreak butterfly. Butterflies like the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail also frequent the flowers for their nectar. The white color and strong scent of the blooms are also highly attractive to moths during the night. The seeds are eaten by the Phoebe, while mammals occasionally browse small specimens.

Native Habitat: Throughout the Atlantic Coastal Plain from Virginia south to Georgia and west to Texas. Favored habitats include sandhills, flatwoods, post oak woods, stable dunes, stream borders, and floodplains.