Hippophae rhamnoides

Sea-buckthorn

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
6m 3
11m 5
3m, exceptionally 14m 7

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres: 4-8m wide 2

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: Low (19 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.: Dense

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Early (Apr to Nov 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Moderate 9 to high 8

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree: Fruiting declines rapidly after 10-12 years 17

Management & Systems

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability: Hard pruning is tolerated 8

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Minimal, requires high light levels 12

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Heavy pruning every year to encourage fruiting 6

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Late winter 3

Hippophae rhamnoides/ Svdmolen/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: Fruits for juice and preserves 9

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp: Limited dimensions but used for turnery 9

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: –

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: Medicinal products from oils and fruits 9

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: Fruiting begins after 3-5 years 7

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: Unknown

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Low – shallow roots and low canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: Yes 11

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): Relatively low
Medium-term (40 years): Very low
Long-term (60 years): Very low

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Native, but possibly only in eastern England 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups:
Likely high
Source of food and shelter 6

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: Mar-Apr 1

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Low (wind pollinated 6)

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: None known

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability:
Suckering 9
Listed as an invasive species (Schedule 9) in Scotland and NI 1

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Low
Generally disease-free 14
May be susceptible to honey fungus 2

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Low
Generally pest-free 214

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer: Likely low