Small yellow berries that grow on trees and shrubs can add a splash of color to garden landscapes. The fruits usually grow in clusters and look great against the dark green leaves. Wildlife is also drawn to these plants, and birds rely on them for food when other nutrients are scarce. These plants look great in any yard, whether you choose a tall shade tree or a small berry shrub. This article will talk about some of the most common trees and shrubs with small yellow berries and give you tips on how to tell them apart.
Why Add Trees with Yellow Berries to Your Landscape
Before diving into specific plant varieties let’s look at some of the benefits these trees and shrubs offer
-
Ornamental Value: The bright yellow berries create eye-catching focal points and add warm pops of color against winter backdrops. They bring excitement to the landscape during dull seasons.
-
Habitat for wildlife: Birds love the berries because they provide important nutrients when other foods are scarce. The fruits also attract pollinators during flowering.
-
Interest All Year: Many types bloom beautifully in the spring before producing leaves and berries in the summer and fall. Deciduous types add autumn color.
-
Low Maintenance: Most of them do well in a variety of conditions and don’t need much care once they’re established. Their resilience makes them easy additions to low-maintenance gardens.
How to Identify Trees with Yellow Berries
When identifying yellow-berried trees, look at the:
- Overall shape and size
- Bark texture and color
- Leaf shapes and arrangements
- Flower shape and color
- Berry shape, size, and abundance
Additionally, take note of the plant’s growth habit and optimal growing conditions. Understanding the plant’s characteristics will make identification much easier.
Common Types of Trees with Small Yellow Berries
Below are some of the most popular trees and shrubs that produce yellow berries:
Winterberry
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is a deciduous holly shrub with vibrant yellow berries persisting through winter. The small, round fruits appear in abundant clusters. The shrub reaches 6-8 feet tall and wide, with serrated, lance-shaped leaves. Native to North America, winterberry thrives in moist conditions. Its autumn berries and spring blooms add year-round interest.
Serviceberry
Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) is a multi-season beauty, with clusters of small yellow berries in fall. The medium-sized tree reaches 30 feet tall, with lightly serrated leaves. Flowers emerge before the leaves in spring, followed by sweet, edible berries in summer. Its yellow fall foliage provides additional seasonal interest.
Sea Buckthorn
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a hardy, thorny shrub reaching 5-13 feet tall. The deciduous plant has narrow, silvery-green leaves and thorns on its branches. Abundant clusters of small, translucent yellow berries appear in late summer. Sea buckthorn makes an excellent hedge or windbreak and thrives in coastal areas.
Golden Currant
Golden currant (Ribes aureum) is a medium-sized shrub reaching 5-10 feet tall. It produces hanging clusters of small, smooth, golden berries in summer. The rounded, translucent fruits have a sweet-tart flavor. Golden currant has maple-shaped leaves that emit a pleasing scent when crushed. The hardy shrub adapts well to various conditions.
Yellow Holly
Yellow holly (Ilex aquifolium ‘Bacciflava’) is an evergreen shrub or small tree that produces abundant clusters of small, round, golden berries. The leathery, spiny foliage remains attractive year-round. Its waxy yellow fruits contrast beautifully against the glossy green leaves. This variety thrives in partial shade and makes a superb accent plant.
Mountain Ash
Mountain ash (Sorbus species) refers to a group of small, deciduous trees that produce yellow berry-like pomes. Most mountain ashes are under 30 feet tall, with pinnately compound leaves and white spring blossoms. The small, round, yellow fruits grow in dense clusters, providing a vital food source for wildlife.
Caring for Yellow-Berried Trees and Shrubs
To keep your yellow-berried trees and shrubs healthy and vibrant:
-
Plant in suitable growing conditions and sunlight levels.
-
Water young plants regularly until their root systems establish. Then water during droughts.
-
Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
-
Prune deciduous varieties in late winter to improve fruiting and shape. Only prune evergreens to control growth.
-
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
-
Protect young plants from harsh weather and hungry wildlife.
By choosing the right planting site and providing minimal care, these resilient plants will thrive for years of beauty and interest. Adding a tree or shrub with small yellow berries is a simple way to boost your landscape’s aesthetic appeal while supporting local wildlife. A final tip: always double check that a plant is not invasive before planting. Focus on native species whenever possible.
What is the chinaberry tree?
The chinaberry tree, or Melia azedarach, is an ornamental tree that is now thought to be an invasive species in the US. It is also called the white cedar berry, the Indian lilac berry, and the Texas umbrella berry. All parts of the chinaberry tree can result in poisoning if ingested. The berries of chinaberry trees are round and start off green when immature but eventually turn yellow as they ripen. The berries are actually seed pods that contain 3–5 black seeds inside a stone pit. These berries are the most toxic part of the plant and ripe, yellow berries might be more harmful than unripe, green berries. Due to their bitter taste, the berries are rarely eaten in large amounts by one person.
How common is chinaberry poisoning?
Animals have been poisoned by chinaberry many times, but people in the US have rarely been seriously hurt by it. Symptoms can develop as soon as 1 hour after ingestion of any part of a chinaberry tree. However, in some cases, the onset of symptoms may be delayed by several hours. After chronic consumptions of parts of the plant, symptoms can be delayed by weeks. Most reports of large ingestions resulting in severe symptoms occurred in animals.
60 Different Kinds of Berries
FAQ
What tree has little yellow berries?
Heteromeles arbutifolia ‘Davis Gold’, also known as the Golden Berry Toyon, is a small tree that grows straight up and stays green all year. Its berries are yellow instead of the usual red Toyon berries.
Can you eat chinaberry tree berries?
All parts of the plant are poisonous to people, some animals, and mammals, like cats and dogs. The fruit is especially dangerous. Symptoms post-consumption include vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulty or paralysis. Cattle and some birds can eat the berries without harm.
What is a tree with a little yellow fruit?
The tree with little yellow fruit is likely a loquat tree (Eriobotrya japonica). Loquats are small, evergreen trees that produce clusters of sweet, juicy, yellow to orange fruits in the spring.
What are small yellow berries?
This berry is also known as the Cape gooseberry, the poha berry, the husk cherry, the pichu berry, the aguaymanto, the topotopo, the Inca berry, and the Peruvian groundcherry. Golden berries are native to the Andean Mountains in South America, and especially in the Peruvian and Chilean highlands.