Diospyros mespiliformis | Jackal-berry tree for sale | Jakkalsbessie
The Jackal-berry tree is frost sensitive and marginally drought tolerant. It is a fast growing, evergreen tree with a wide spreading crown. The tree's simple, green-grey leaves cast a dense shade. Diospyros mespiliformis distinguishes male and female trees. Only the latter bear berry-like fruit. Jackal-berry's new growth has a red color, causing it to stand out in the veld in early spring. The species has a formidable tap root, and since it is a large tree, also a well developed secondary root system.
Some Gardening Ideas
It is an excellent choice for a large garden or park. In our experience Diospyros mespiliformis responds well to pruning and can be planted in a large container. Use this method if you want to plant it in a small garden.
Value to honeybees: Nectar, N0-3?; Pollen, P0-1?; Flowering months 9-3, (10-11). (See blog-post "The bee-value of South Africa's trees" for an explanation of codes)
For more information on mature Jackal-berry trees' size and shape, as well as its pot planting and bonsai potential click here
For more information on this species go to PlantZAfrica: Diospyros mespiliformis, Jackal-berry, Jakkalsbessie
Available in 50L and 100L. Contact Sandra for availability and price of trees in 450L.
Diospyros mespiliformis (Jackal-berry) in 50L for sale.
Recommended retail price-50L
Specifications:
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Height 1.8m+
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Trunk 20mm+
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Diameter 0.8m+
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Diospyrosmespiliformis (Jackal-berry) in 100L for sale.
Recommended retail price-100L
Specifications:
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Height 2.5m+
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Trunk 30mm+
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Diameter 1.2m+
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Jackal-berry tree mature size and shape
Please refer to image 1, which we recently took in the Kruger National Park. It shows the typical size and shape of the species. We estimate the height of this specimen at about 10m, and its crown diameter at about 8m. This example is still quite small, as the maximum size that Diospyros mespiliformis can grow to is about 25m.
Image 1
Image 2
Image 2 shows a "size and shape" icon, which we propose for Diospyros mespiliformis. We classify Jackal-berry's general shape (appearance) as "sherical", its trunk as "upright" and its primary branch structure as "irregular ascending". The size of the Jackal-berry tree icon, when measured against a 1.8m tall person, is about 15m high, with a 13m diameter. We estimate that this is a typical size and shape that one can expect a Jackal-berry to achieve in a garden setting with ideal soil and water availability, in about 30 years.
Can a Jackal-berry tree grow in a pot? Can it be trained as a bonsai?
Images 3 and 4, taken in the Kruger National Park, show what we refer to as African Bonsai Trees (#Africanbonsaitrees), in this case a Jackal-berry African Bonsai. The tree in image 3 remained small mainly due to restrained soil volume, as is evident from the fact that it is growing between huge rocks. The tree in image 4 was no doubt shaped by elephant activity. Antelope browsing, fire and drought are likely to also played their part. These examples are truly African. It is this rugged beauty, sculptured by nature, that we are capturing in our "African Bonsai Trees" brand.
Image 3
Image 4
We learn from the above images that Jackal-berry trees minituarize when their soil volume is restrained. They also survive severely inflicted damage. It follows that the species is a good candidate for growing in a pot and also as a bonsai.
Image 5 shows a jackle-berry tree in a pot that we are currently training into a Jackal-berry African Bonsai (#Jackalberryafricanbonsai). The African Bonsai Tree concept in this case, is to grow it into the iconic Jackal-berry size and shape, with tree height not exceeding 1.5m. We hope to achieve this limit on mature size by growing it in a 100L pot.
It follows that even if you have a very small garden, you can still enjoy the beauty of a Jackal-berry tree.
Image 5 to follow