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America's forestry movement actually started in Ohio with the creation of the American
Forestry Association in Cincinnati in 1875.
Division of Forestry
2045 Morse Rd.
Building H1.
Columbus, OH 43229
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Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium A deciduous shrub or tree from the Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae) | | | | | | | | | | |
3-9 |
10' |
15' |
slow to medium |
full sun
part shade |
round headed |
moist, well-drained soils of rich or average composition, of alkaline, neutral, or acidic pH | |  Blackhaw is perhaps the most widely distributed Viburnum in Ohio, as it is found throughout the state, ranging from shady mesic woodlands to open dry fields. It encompasses most of the Eastern United States in its broader distribution. Blackhaw has plump floral buds on arching branches in winter, white flowers in mid-spring, glossy foliage in summer, and combination of colorful foliage and fruits in autumn make it a native shrub with four-season appeal. Its common name comes from the final color (black) of its elliptical fruits in late autumn, coupled with the densely twiggy nature of its canopy resembling that of Hawthorns. Blackhaw slowly reaches 15 feet tall by 10 feet wide when found in the open, and if limbed up into tree form, may reach 20 feet tall by 15 feet wide. As a member of the Honeysuckle Family, it is related to the Honeysuckles, Elderberries, Weigelas, and the multitude of other Viburnums.
Planting Requirements - Blackhaw prefers moist, well-drained soils of rich or average composition, of alkaline, neutral, or acidic pH. It tolerates dry soils very well, and thrives in full sun to full shade (as a native understory or woodland edge shrub). It is found in zones 3 to 9. Potential Problems - Blackhaw has no serious disease or pest problems, except for occasional cases of powdery mildew in late summer. | | Leaf Identification Features  Blackhaw has leaves that emerge bronzed in early spring. The opposite, smooth, moderately shiny leaves are elliptical to ovate, with short tips. Also occuring at the base of the new growth are a pair of blue-green auricles, small miniature leaves that often fall away, but that sometimes persist into autumn. |  Fall color occurs later than with many other shrubs, and ranges from chartreuse and clear yellow to beautiful shades of orange, red, crimson, and burgandy. | | | Other Identification Features 
Blackhaw has white flowers that emerge in mid spring. As one of the more common native, shade-tolerant shrubs that occurs in the open woodlands or forest edges of Ohio, its white flowers stand out as the foliage of overhead trees begins to cast significant shade. | 
The perfect flowers give rise to clusters of light green, elliptical fruits in summer. These mature in late summer and autumn and go through a sequence of colors from lime to yellow to pink to blue to black, often consumed by birds and other wildlife but when persistent, shriveled like raisins by late autumn. | 
Flowers arise in spring from the plump floral buds that formed the previous summer, and are a good identification feature for this shrub in winter. | 
Young shoots of Blackhaw are straight and vigorously growing. As the slow-growing Blackhaw ages, its brown mature bark becomes broken into square blocks that give this shrub the appearance of Flowering Dogwood, with respect to its bark. Blackhaw, especially if limbed up, can take on the appearance of a small ornamental tree that is noted for its flowers, fruits, fall color, and winter form. | | |
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