Black haw

shopping: two varieties

Black Haw Bark Cut & Sifted, Wild Crafted

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Black Haw Bark Powder, Wild Crafted

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Wholesale Black haw

Viburnum prunifolium

plant overview

black haw, sweet woodland shrub

Black haw, also called sweet haw, is a flowering shrub in the honeysuckle family that grows in woodlands and fields throughout much of North America. The bark, which contains astringent tannins, is used to make teas and tinctures, as well as infusions for topical use.

Clicking "learn more" next to each variety will take you to individual product pages for details.

01.
A Bit of Botany

a bit of botanical information about black haw

description
Black haw is a shrub or small tree of the Adoxaceae family, from 10 to about 20 feet in height, it has rather stout, spreading branches.

The smooth bright-green, finely toothed, broadly or roundish oval leaves are 1 to 3 inches long. The numerous stemless flower clusters are from 2 to 4 inches broad, composed of numerous creamy white flowers appearing from April to June.

The fruit, which is sweet and edible, is about half an inch long, bluish black, covered with a bloom, and ripens in early autumn. It contains a somewhat flattened stone.

The bark is reddish-brown, very rough on old stems. The branchlets are red at first, and then green, finally dark brown tinged with red. The winter buds are coated with rusty tomentum.

common names
& nomenclature
The name haw came about because the plant looks like a hawthorn (although hawthorn is unrelated and in a separate genus), black is in reference to the fruit color.

Also known as:
cramp bark, guelder rose, stagbush, american sloe, snowball tree, king's crown, high cranberry, red elder, rose elder, water elder, may rose, whitsun rose, dog rowan tree, silver bells, whitsun bosses, gaitre berries, blackhaw, black haw, blackhaw viburnum, sweet haw, sloe, and shonny

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for black haw

Black haw is native to northeastern North America, from Connecticut west to eastern Kansas, and south to Alabama and Texas.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing black haw

climate
Black haw occurs in dry woods and thickets and on rocky hillsides in sun to part shade. It can also handle a spot with more shade, though there may be less flowers and fruit.

soil
Black haw grows best in rich, moist, well-drained soil.

growing
You can propagate Viburnum prunifolium by germinating the seeds or taking cuttings from an existing shrub.

For growing from seed: seeds are best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Germination can be slow, sometimes taking more than 18 months. If the seed is harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it has fully ripened) and sown immediately in a cold frame, it should germinate in the spring. Stored seed will require 2 months warm then 3 months cold stratification and can still take 18 months to germinate.

Transplant the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame or greenhouse. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer of the following year.

For growing from cuttings: take cuttings of soft-wood, in early summer. Pot up into individual pots once they start to root and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. These cuttings can be difficult to overwinter, it is best to keep them in a greenhouse or cold frame until the following spring before planting them out.

Can also do layering of current seasons growth in July/August, takes 15 months.

harvesting
Branch bark of black haw may be collected in summer. The trunk bark should be collected in fall.

preserving
Dry the bark in the shade, cut into small pieces and store in a cool dry place.

for educational purposes only

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

please be advised:
Before making any changes to your diet you should always consult with your doctor,
especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have existing conditions.