The word "hep tree" can be spelled with two different vowel sounds. In American English, it is often pronounced as "hep tree" with the short e sound /ɛ/ in the first syllable. However, in British English, it is commonly pronounced as "hip tree" with the long i sound /aɪ/ in the first syllable. The word itself refers to a tree with red berries that is believed to have medicinal properties. Its scientific name is Prunus serotina.