Tree Categories: Flowering Trees and Ornamental Trees
Mature Tree Height: 20-40 feet tall | Mature Tree Width: 20-30 feet wide
Tree Growing Zones: Zone 6, Zone 7, and Zone 8
The Dove Tree (Davidia involucrata) is a medium-sized, highly ornamental flowering tree. It is known for a showy display of flowers before summer. Around May, small flowers with a dark reddish center and two large white bracts emerge and accompany the vivid green and heart shaped foliage. The tree in full bloom has a very unique look that resembles a bunch of white doves sitting in the tree. The leaves will sometimes lighten up in the fall to brighter shades of orange and red but are inconsistent from year to year. Exfoliating orange and cinnamon-brown bark provides adequate winter interest.
The Dove Tree is native to western China. Its distinctive look in full bloom makes it a highly sought after specimen tree, either in a yard or park. It also has an appealing rounded canopy that is more pyramidal when young but grows to a broad circular and oval shape as it matures. It does best in full to partial sun and prefers moist, well-drained soils.
