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| ## BAYBERRY                                                           |
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| ***Morella pensylvanica* (Mirbel)**                                   |
|                                                                       |
| **Kartesz, comb. nov. ined.**                                         |
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| plant symbol = MOPE6                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS New York State Office

![Color image of Bayberry (Morella
pensylvanica)](media/image4.jpeg){width="3.1251968503937007in"
height="2.072834645669291in"}

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

Myrica pensylvanica *Mirbel*

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

Colonies of this salt spray tolerant shrub provide excellent secondary
stabilization and cover to the back dune areas of the mid-Atlantic
coastline. Bayberry is used effectively in hedges, wildlife borders, and
on road banks. Because some leaves remain on the plant throughout most
of the winter months, it provides year-round shelter for game and
non-game animals alike. The berries provide a key energy source for
swallows migrating south along the mid-Atlantic coast. These fruit are
retained on the plant well into winter above any accumulated snow,
making them readily available for bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse,
ring-necked pheasant and numerous songbirds to consume.

The highly scented fruit of bayberry was a source of wax for early
settlers in America. This scent is still used in candle making. The
aromatic fruit laden branches, bare of leaves, have often been utilized
for residential decoration in fall and winter.

##### 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}

Bayberry is an upright shrub, which is typically 5 to 8 feet in height,
except on sand dunes and poor quality sites. The species has male and
female plants. Flowers occur in early spring and are not showy. Female
plants produce numerous small, blue-grey, waxy round fruit in the fall.

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

Bayberry is a native of the eastern coastal zone. Although adapted to a
variety of soil conditions, it performs best on light textured soils. It
naturally spreads to bare soil areas of sandy soils, but not into sod or
cultivated sites. As one travels south in bayberry's native range (south
of Delaware) its dominance is given up to another species, wax myrtle
(*Myrica* *cerifera*). This species is similar in appearance, but has
smaller fruit and narrower elongated leaves.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

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

Due to bayberry's intolerance to competing vegetation, other vegetative
cover must be removed or controlled prior to planting. One or two year
old nursery grown bare-root or containerized seedling stock should be
used for all purposes. Mulching around newly established seedlings aids
in moisture retention and weed control. To assure seed production, both
male and female plants must be established in close proximity to one
another. Unfortunately seedling sex can not be determined before
maturity, so several seedlings should be planted in the same area. Plant
one or two rows for borders and hedges, at two to four foot spacings.
For roadside plantings, establish at three foot spacings. Fertilization
on most sites is not necessary, and often will promote non-target
species.

Seedlings are easily produced on raised beds in fall, planted once the
soil temperature has gone below 40 degrees F. Using a maximum of 4 grams
of pure live seed (PLS) per square foot of bed, will produce adequate
numbers of quality seedlings.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Bayberry is a natural selection for conservation plantings and for
landscaping on coastal sands. Though not a legume, it does \"fix\"
nitrogen and is an important constituent for revegetation efforts. In
conservation plantings, this shrub does best where it is allowed to
spread naturally by root suckers and where sand is accumulated. The
nitrogen that becomes available over time will encourage other
vegetation- generally a good thing unless invasive species show up.
Shade from taller vegetation will not be tolerated by bayberry and the
stand will be reduced.

In landscape plantings, bayberry should be allowed to grow naturally
with minimal pruning. Attempts to confine it or shape it will usually
reduce its vigor and may eventually lead to problems. Disease and
insects are not usually severe pests, especially where grown with other
back dune vegetation.

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

Only one cultivar of bayberry has been developed: 'Wildwood' (NJ and
NC). This cultivar was developed and released by the Cape May PMC in
1992. It is the product of open crossing of four native selections of
the mid-Atlantic region. Foundation seed and breeders stock plants can
be obtained by nurseries from the Cape May PMC, in Cape May Court House,
NJ. Planting stock of 'Wildwood' and common bayberry can be obtained
through numerous native plant nurseries.

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

*John Dickerson*, Northeast Plant Materials Specialist

USDA NRCS New York State Office

Syracuse, New York

##### 

##### 05Feb2002 JLK {#feb2002-jlk .Header-4}