Paucident Mountain Mahogany Plant Care

Cercocarpus paucidentatus Britton

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Cercocarpus breviflorus, commonly known as desert mountain mahogany or hairy mountain mahogany, is a species of plant in the rose family, native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs🍎Fruit & Berries
Water

Every 10–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Paucident Mountain Mahogany?

Plant Paucident Mountain Mahogany in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young tree every 10–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Paucident Mountain Mahogany Native To?

Native range2 countries

What Is the Paucident Mountain Mahogany?

Paucident Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus paucidentatus) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Cercocarpus genus. Paucident Mountain Mahogany is native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Paucident Mountain Mahogany is also known as Apache Plume.

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

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Paucident Mountain Mahogany?

Water a young or newly planted Paucident 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 10–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Paucident Mountain Mahogany Need?

Paucident Mountain Mahogany thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Paucident Mountain Mahogany Prefer?

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

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Paucident Mountain Mahogany?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Paucident Mountain Mahogany?

Feed Paucident 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.

Fertilizing

Every 8 months

During the growing season

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

Where Should You Plant a Paucident Mountain Mahogany?

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.

Paucident 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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Paucident Mountain Mahogany?

Paucident 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.

How Do You Prune a Paucident Mountain Mahogany?

Prune Paucident 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.

How Do You Care for a Paucident Mountain Mahogany in Winter?

Paucident 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.

How Do You Propagate a Paucident Mountain Mahogany?

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

Is the Paucident Mountain Mahogany Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Paucident Mountain Mahogany, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

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

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Paucident Mountain Mahogany?

Paucident 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Paucident Mountain Mahogany Need?

Paucident Mountain Mahogany grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Paucident Mountain Mahogany is native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. In cooler regions, grow Paucident Mountain Mahogany as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Paucident Mountain Mahogany is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Cercocarpus genus — compare its care with other Cercocarpus species on PlantoScan.

Cercocarpus is part of the Rosaceae plant family — browse all Rosaceae genera and species.

Paucident Mountain Mahogany thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Cercocarpus paucidentatus Britton, family Rosaceae (first published in Trans. New York Acad. Sci. 14: 31 (1894)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Paucident Mountain Mahogany, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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