This large tree has a smooth greyish trunk with spreading branches that form a broad rounded crown. It has glossy dark green oblong leaves and the male and female flowers appear in clusters on different trees during spring followed by editable red fruit.

Hardiness zones 8 to 11

Myrica rubra Is naturally found in China and has naturalised in Japan, Korea and the Philippine Islands growing in forests on mountain slopes and in the adjoining valleys at an altitude of 100-1,500 m (328-4921 ft). 

It prefers an open to protected sunny to semi shaded position and grows in well drained organic rich to poor moist sandy to clay soil that is tending acidic with a pH 4.5-5.5 and is frost tolerant but drought tender.

Red Bayberry is grown for its editable fruit and its spreading crown. It is planted in parks and large gardens as a lawn specimen for shade or used in classical East Asian gardens. It is suitable for coastal and low-mountain regions and establishes in 3-5 years and is long lived. 

The tree is also grown commercially for its fruit with over 865,000 acres under cultivation in China. It can be consumed fresh or dried and is available in canes and is fermented into an alcoholic drink. The fruit is also used for medicinal purposes as it contains high concentrations of OPCs (oligomer ic proanthocyanidins) a strong antioxidant. ID 2701

Myrica (mi-REE-ka) rubra (ROO-bruh)

Myricaceae (MY-rik-AY-see-ee)