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.