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Elaeocarpus dentatus,
Japanese Blueberry

This is a relatively new addition to the plant palette in the US. Full sun and a well-drained soil and good air circulation around the plant seems to promote good growth. The canopy probably will benefit from pruning yearly when the tree is young to develop a leader and to thin the canopy. Plant reaches about 40 feet. E. reticulatus has serrate foliage but is otherwise similar. Trees are tolerant of urban conditions and should perform well as street trees as long as they are irrigated regularly until well established.

Prune the tree so trunks and branches will not rub each other. Remove some secondary branches on main branches with included bark. This reduces the likelihood of the main branch splitting from the tree later when it has grown to become an important part of the landscape. Locate the tree properly, taking into account the ultimate size, since the tree looks best if it is not pruned to control size. The tree can enhance any landscape with its delightful spring flush of foliage. It can be the centerpiece of your landscape if properly located

Healthy plants respond nicely to reduction pruning which keeps plants small. This pruning technique presents a very formal or neat appearance to the surrounding landscape. Many reduction cuts on branches one-half to three-quarters inch diameter are made at the edge of the canopy every other year. Few if any interior branches are removed. Trees grow slightly larger each year but remain much smaller than they would without pruning. Appropriately performed, few people would recognize that the trees were pruned.