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Birch-leaf Mountain-mahogany

Cercocarpus betuloides var. betuloides

tree View on Calscape

Care

Sun

part shade, full sun

Water

very low

Soil

Fast, Medium, Slow; adaptable. Tolerates serpentine soil..

Size

8–20ft tall , 10–12ft wide

Bloom

Jan-Dec

Foliage

Evergreen

Deer

Resistant

Native Range

Chaparral and oak woodlands of the Sierra Nevada foothills, Coast Ranges, and transverse ranges from 1000-6000 ft elevation, extending south to San Diego County.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your Mountain Mahogany in full sun or partial shade with fast to medium drainage - it's adaptable to most soil types, including poor or serpentine soils, so drainage matters more than fertility. Space it according to its mature size (8–20 feet tall) and your desired effect; it works well as a hedge or privacy screen and responds well to pruning if you need to keep it narrow. Plant in fall or winter to take advantage of the rainy season for establishment. Avoid planting in areas that stay wet, as this plant prefers drier conditions.

After Planting

Water weekly through your first summer, then reduce to once monthly (or less) once established - this is a very low-water plant and overwatering is the most common mistake. You can prune lightly or heavily depending on your needs; it responds well to both and can even be cut to the ground for rejuvenation. Year one focuses on root establishment; after that, this fast-growing shrub becomes increasingly drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance. It's evergreen and tolerates cold down to 20°F, so no special winter care is needed in the Bay Area.

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