About the Silverbell
:
The Carolina Silverbell tree, Halesia
carolina, also known as Mountain Silverbell,
Snowdrop tree, and Oppossum Wood, is common and
reaches its greatest size in the southern
Appalachian Mountains where it is called
mountain silverbell. This attractive shrub, or
small tree, grows in moist soils along streams
in the understory of hardwood forests. It has a
moderate growth rate and lives about 100 years.
Place in full sun to partial shade.
This deciduous tree has soft wood and it is
close-grained and a favorite wood for crafts.
The white bell-shaped flowers and small size
make it a desirable tree for landscaping. The
seeds are eaten by squirrels and the flowers
provide honey for bees. Fall color is chartreuse
to yellow-brown. Silverbell trees exhibit
pendulous bell-shaped white flowers in spring.
