Small wax tree (hawthorn nail)

Small deciduous trees of Oleaceae, genus.

The flowering period of the small wax tree is in March, April and May, and now it is in the flowering period, white and dazzling, full of flowers, with a little fragrance. The growth height can reach 2 meters, the branches stretch freely, the bark is gray and slippery, and the branches are leafy and dense. The branches are soft and slender, full of flowers along the branches, very beautiful. When the weather is clear, it will attract bees to collect honey.

Small wax trees are also called mosquito flowers and spikes. Its florets are really as small and numerous as mosquitoes. There are many kinds of small wax, with oval, round and obovate leaves, 3-7 cm long, thin leathery leaves and short fluff. In September, flowers bear samara, red to purple, which is the food of birds.

It is a subtropical tree species and likes warm and humid climate. It is mostly distributed in the south of the Yangtze River, and is common in mountain sparse forests or roadsides. Like light, slightly tolerant to shade, not cold-resistant, it will grow poorly in barren and arid areas and severe saline-alkali land. Strong germination, easy transplantation and survival, can be planted in rows as a shelter forest, and developed roots can reduce soil erosion.

Lush foliage, beautiful trunk, pruning and shaping resistance. Small wax is gradually made into bonsai, without flowers and leaves, with flowers and fruits. It is constantly seen in urban roads and parks and has become a common tree species for greening. Resistant to harmful gases such as sulfur dioxide, and can detect the content of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere.

Small wax absorbs a lot of water, so we should pay attention to keep the soil moist. Too dry will cause fallen leaves and even dead branches, especially in hot summer, so we should water it sooner or later.