Where is the Japanese pagoda tree (Sophora japonica) native to? When is the best time to plant it?

In China, the Japanese pagoda tree mainly exists in the form of street trees, and can provide a certain amount of Huaimi (pagoda tree flower buds) for use in the medical field. So where is the Japanese pagoda tree native to? When is the best time to plant it?

1. Where is the Japanese pagoda tree native to?

1. The native place of the Japanese pagoda tree

The Japanese pagoda tree is native to the northern region of China, with a wide native range. It is cultivated from the northeast southward to south China and southwest China, and is most common on the Loess Plateau and in north China. Well-known places include Jingchuan in Pingliang, Gansu; Wuzhong City, Ningxia; and Xuchang, Henan, among others. In addition, it is currently also found in small quantities in Japan and Korea.

The Japanese pagoda tree is the city tree of multiple administrative cities in provinces such as Beijing, Hebei, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Anhui, Liaoning, Shandong and Gansu. In addition, there are also large-scale planting bases for the Japanese pagoda tree in Guangxi, Chongqing, Shanxi, Hunan and other places, specifically producing Huaimi for the medical field.

2. The growing environment of the Japanese pagoda tree

The Japanese pagoda tree is cold-tolerant and likes sunlight. It is not tolerant of shade and dampness but is drought-resistant. The growing environment of the Japanese pagoda tree differs greatly from that of other trees. The Japanese pagoda tree is not very particular about soil selection, but it grows better in fertile, loose soil. Choosing suitable soil provides a good environment for the growth of the Japanese pagoda tree, and it will grow more healthily and thicker.

Therefore, the Japanese pagoda tree is roughly planted in the north. Its cold-resistant growth habit and its requirements for the growing environment are not very high.

2. When is the best time to plant the Japanese pagoda tree?

1. The planting time of the Japanese pagoda tree

The Japanese pagoda tree is best planted from March to April each year, and during planting, care should be taken to trim the root system, cut off rotten roots, and not leave side branches. Side branches will affect the growth of the main trunk and compete with the main trunk for the nutrients needed for growth. It should also be planted at once, and cannot be left overnight or frozen. Saplings that have been frozen will lose nutrients the next day, which is not good for the growth of the Japanese pagoda tree.

2. Selection of Japanese pagoda tree saplings

In addition, because the survival rate of the Japanese pagoda tree is relatively low, the selection of saplings is particularly important. Japanese pagoda tree saplings should be selected free of insects and diseases, with intact root systems and fresh, living saplings. They should also be pruned before cultivation, cut to the specified length before cultivation.

3. Planting methods for the Japanese pagoda tree

The survival rate of Japanese pagoda tree saplings must be ensured. If the survival rate is low, it will bring economic losses to the growers and increase the cost of planting. Therefore, experienced growers should be chosen.

As for the planting method, the Japanese pagoda tree should be planted in a hole dug right away, and the saplings must not be left overnight. There are also many techniques when covering with soil. When filling soil, the mature soil and the subsoil from the bottom layer should be separated. When covering, the mature soil should be placed first, and then the subsoil should be filled in. The positions of the soil must not be reversed, as the position of the soil also affects the growth of the Japanese pagoda tree.

Warm reminder: There are not many types of pests and diseases of the Japanese pagoda tree, but once it suffers from certain pests and diseases, it will seriously affect its growth and even lead to death. The main diseases include powdery mildew, nodular rust, and rot disease, and the main pests include the pagoda tree looper and the pagoda tree aphid. They often eat all the leaves, further causing the Japanese pagoda tree to weaken and even die, so prevention and control should be strengthened.