It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.
The leaves are astringent and vulnerary. A decoction is used to treat dysentery and a cream made from the leaves is used to heal wounds and chilblains. The bark is boiled in vinegar and then used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, hernias and toothache.