PLANT OF THE MONTH: Wafer Ash
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ptelea trifoliata L.
FAMILY: Rutaceae
Other Common Names: Common Hop Tree, Quinine Tree
Type: Shrub or small tree.
Natural Habitat: dry rocky upland sites; gravelly places
Growth: Typically a multi trunked shrub, it may become a tree to 15-20 feet with a broad crown.
Slow to moderate growth rate
Deer Resistance: mid to high since the leaves and twigs are said to be bitter.
Wildlife: Wafer ash is a food and shelter plant for wildlife. It is the host for the sundog, the larvae of
the Giant swallowtail butterfly (Papilio cresphontes).
Flowers: Flowers are ½ inch across, greenish-white with 4 to 5 narrow petals, appearing in late
spring, for about 2 weeks. They have a citrus odor and attract many kinds of pollinating insects.
Fruit: The fruits are flat, circular and papery wafer-like samaras. They occur in drooping clusters, are
retained well into winter and wave in the wind with an audible rattle. The fruits were once used as a
substitute for hops in beer brewing, earning the common name.
Leaves: Arranged alternately, the leaf type is trifoliate.
Water Requirements: high drought tolerance
Soil Requirements: very adaptable but does need to be well drained.
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS: Space plants 12-15 feet apart. Dig a hole at least two times wider than,
but the same depth as the root ball in the nursery container. Sides of the hole should be irregular, not smooth.
Remove plant from container, taking care to support the root ball. Loosen exterior roots gently with your
fingers. If the plant is root-bound and cannot be loosened by hand, the outer roots may be cut in several places.
Lift the plant by the root ball and place into the hole. Backfill hole, using soil that was dug out.. Do not add
any soil to the top of the root ball. Gently firm the soil with your hands, but do not tamp it down. Place 3-4
inches of mulch over the bare soil around, but not touching the base of the plant.
WATERING INSTRUCTIONS: Water deeply after planting to settle soil around roots. Then every 7-10
days, as needed, during the first growing season. Before watering, check for soil moisture at a depth of an inch
or two at the edge of the root ball. Skip a watering after a rainfall of ½ to 1 inch. Maintain this watering
schedule until the first fall. Reduce watering during the cool fall and winter months. In a “normal” year, no
watering may be necessary during the fall and winter, but during a dry period, monthly watering may be
needed. Second Spring and thereafter: Water monthly only during periods of drought. Once established,
natives will survive with little supplemental irrigation.
OPERATION NICE! TIP: This is a durable plant for use in light shade as an understory tree. The
clusters of greenish white flowers are fragrant & the bark, leaves and twigs have a citrus scent when
crushed, though some may be unpleasant. Since it is a valuable host tree to native pollinators and the
bark of the root has been used medicinally, this is a plant that should be studied, preserved,
propagated and included in landscape plans throughout Texas.
Care Instructions are provided by the Native Plant Society of Texas- Boerne Chapter. Our meetings begin at
7:00 pm on the first Tuesday, September-June at the Cibolo Nature Center Auditorium. Our meetings are free
and open to the public and include social time starting at 6:30 pm. Please visit our website
www.npsot.org/boerne for other suggested NICE! Plants of the Month.