Blueberry Tree

This average-sized fruit tree grows up to 16 feet (4.9 meters) tall and lives for up to 25 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 42 years old. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has a long and flexible, straight trunk covered in very thick, silky, light brown bark, and inside, the very light wood is yellow-brown.

The branches are short, rigid and upright and are covered with small bunches of large, long, narrow leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are green with amber tips.

In early spring, it produces a handful of giant, sky blue blossoms with perforated petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They fall easily and have an intensely strong scent that smells like fermented fruit.

In late summer it produces tiny, long, tapering fruit. The waxy olive skin is stretchy and inedible, and the very soft lilac flesh is sweet and spicy and powdery. The olive seeds are large and are located in the centre of the fruit.

The roots are shallow and grow straight down, and overall the tree is sturdy and difficult to uproot.

Forests of this species feature well-spaced trees, with the space between them filled with thick undergrowth.