Trees With Berries That Stain the Pavement

Camphor Tree

• The camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) is a large rounded, densely canopied evergreen and a member of the Lauraceae family. Reaching 70 feet in height, often with a broader spread, the tree has thin glossy green leaves giving off a camphor scent when crushed. Tiny yellow flowers bloom before the profusion of round black berries. The small berries are fleshy and will stain the pavement, driveway and cars. While messy, the berries are attractive to wildlife, however, the tree is not native to North America.

Common Hackberry

• Native to the United States, the common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is a tough, adaptable tree tolerant of city conditions. The irregular vase-shaped tree reaches 40-60 feet in height. Native Americans used the small round purple berries to flavor food. Birds and other wildlife enjoy the date-flavored berries that stain the pavement.

Tropical Umbrella Plant

• The tropical umbrella plant (Schefflera actinophylla) is also known as the octopus tree. Native to the Australian rain forest, the tree is naturally a tropical evergreen. The tropical umbrella plant has shiny green leaves that are palm-like and grow in long stalks. Slow-growing at about a foot per year, the tree's dark green leaves produce a great deal of oxygen that cleans polluted air. The tree, however, does produce berries that will stain the pavement. The umbrella plant can be toxic to cats and dogs.

Phellodendron Amurense

• Phellodendron amurense, also known as the Amur corktree, is native to Asia. Reaching 30-50 feet in height, the broad and spreading evergreen tree has a furrowed, ridged bark that develops into corklike patterns on the trunk. Leaves and fruit have an aromatic smell when crushed. Abundant black berries are produced by the female tree and attract wildlife. The berries continue to grow long after the leaves have fallen. The berries will stain the pavement and driveway.

Mulberry

• The mulberry (Morus spp.) tree is a member of the Moraceae family. While there are three species of mulberry, white, black and red, it is the red mulberry, also known as the American mulberry, that is native to the eastern United States. Hardy and deciduous, the red mulberry tree can reach 70 feet in height. Botanically, the fruit is a collective fruit resembling a loganberry, and is not a single berry. The fruit does, however, provide a major source of food to wildlife in their native habitat. The tree should not be planted by a sidewalk; the fallen fruit will leave stains that can easily be tracked indoors.