California Mountain Mahogany Plant Care

California Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Cercocarpus genus. California Mountain Mahogany is also known as Mountain Mahogany, Birchleaf Mountain Mahogany.

California Mountain Mahogany displays a small tree or large shrub growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. California Mountain Mahogany produces small, inconspicuous flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted California Mountain Mahogany every 10–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

California Mountain Mahogany thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cercocarpus betuloides tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. California Mountain Mahogany prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for California Mountain Mahogany to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed California Mountain Mahogany every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

California Mountain Mahogany is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

California Mountain Mahogany can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune California Mountain Mahogany while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

California Mountain Mahogany is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

California Mountain Mahogany can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mountain mahogany plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

California Mountain Mahogany is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

California Mountain Mahogany grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow California Mountain Mahogany as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.