Practical
Plants

Pterocarya fraxinifolia

Caucasian Wingnut

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Pterocarya genus in the family Juglandaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
30 m
Spread
20 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed[6][2]. No more details are given but the seed is very small and would be very fiddly to use[K].

Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Diaphoretic[12].

Product or use
Diaphoretic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bast from the bark is used for weaving hats etc[12]. Wood - soft, hard to split. Used for matches, shoes etc[10][11].

Product or use
Weaving
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
W. Asia - Iran and the Caucasus.
Habitat
Mixed woods near rivers in boggy or inundated places[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[13][4]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water[13] then cold stratify for 2 - 3 months[14][4]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year[8]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[4]. Cuttings of mature shoots, November in a frame. Only use vigorous shoots[4]. Layering. Division of suckers in the dormant season[5].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a sunny position in a rich strong loam with abundant moisture at the roots[3][7]. Grows well by water[3]. Succeeds in areas that do not experience prolonged winter temperatures below about -12°c[7], but young plants and the young shoots of older trees can be cut back by winter frosts[3]. A very ornamental tree[1], it fruits freely in Britain[3]. The leaves are sweetly resinous[9]. The deeply furrowed bark is aromatic[9]. Produces suckers profusely[14]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  6. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

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  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  9. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  10. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  11. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  12. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩1↩2

  14. Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

    ↩1↩2

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