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| ## american cranberrybush {#american-cranberrybush .Title-Header}     |
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| *Viburnum opulus* L. var. *americanum* Ait.                           |
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| Plant Symbol = VIOPA2                                                 |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.2916666666666665in" height="3.4375in"}

Herman, D.E. et al. 1996

North Dakota Tree Handbook

@ PLANTS

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

*Viburnum opulus* L.ssp. *trilobum* (Marsh.) Clausen, *Viburnum
trilobum* Marsh.,highbush cranberry

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Wildlife*: American cranberrybush is a good wildlife food and cover
plant for small mammals and birds. Twigs are eaten by deer, moose and
beaver. Fruits are a staple winter food for ruffed grouse and are eaten
sparingly by pheasants and at least five species of songbirds. Humans
find the fruit tart but edible and excellent as a preserve or sauce.

*Erosion Control*: The shrub is useful as a medium tall hedge or border
for screening or a windbreak.

*Landscaping*: It is an attractive flowering landscape plant for use in
odd areas or in group plantings around homes and farm ponds. The fruit
is a bright red which increases its ornamental value. Combined, its
characteristics make it useful as a dual purpose food plant and
ornamental.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*Viburnum trilobum* Marsh., American cranberrybush is an erect native
shrub, averaging in height from 6 to 10 feet, occasionally taller on
good sites. The plants are multi-stemmed but do not form thickets by
spreading. They are dense shrubs because of close branching. The leaves
are opposite, 3-lobed maple-like leaves and from 2 to 5 inches long. In
the fall the leaves become scarlet. The creamy-white flowers, which
appear in late May and early June, measure 3 to 4 inches across. Each
bloom is composed of an outer ring of large sterile flowers and an inner
ring of tiny fertile ones. The fruit, which ripens in September and
October, resembles the true cranberry in size and color but is more
translucent when ripe. Fruit hangs on the branches all winter.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

American cranberrybush is adapted throughout the Northeast, although
distribution is widely scattered throughout much of its range. It is
found growing in well-drained, imperfectly drained, and poorly drained,
but not droughty soils. Soil pH is not critical, but for best results
soil should be reasonably fertile.

American cranberrybush is distributed throughout the northern states.
For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Establish hedges or block plantings by using bare root or container
grown stock. Plant 2 year old nursery seedlings. If planting your own
seed, it takes 2 years for them to germinate.

When establishing a planting, prepare a good bed by plowing a few
furrows, or by removing at least 4 square feet of sod for each plant.
For the first 2 years, either cultivate, weed, or mulch with straw, hay,
or sawdust to control competition. During the early years of
establishment remove all competing vegetation.

As a wildlife border along the edge of woods, plant the American
cranberrybush one or two rows between the open fields and the trees.
Space each plant 5 or 6 feet apart. As a hedge where a medium-tall
screen is desired, plant 2 rows 2 feet apart with staggered spacing or 1
row with 1 foot spacing**.** In an odd area or group planting around a
pond, plant in the center or behind low growing shrubs. Full growth of
the shrub requires 5 to 10 years.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

This plant has no serious pests.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

'Compactum', 'Andrews', 'Hahs', and 'Wentworth.' Plants are available at
commercial hardwood nurseries.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060818 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060818-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*