Brachychiton acerifolius - how does it grow for you?

[Daryl]

These are very popular garden trees in SE QLD...the spray of red flowers can be spectacular. But the tree is also an attractive plant when not flowering and has that 'tropical lushness' to it. Here is a larger one I saw today...

Interested in hearing how this grows in your area (if available?)

 

[Palmzilla]

It's very very easy to grow and super drought tolerant as well. 

[DoomsDave]

It's easy to grow in So-Cal, sometimes too well.

They used them as street trees here in La Habra, which in my opinion were not a wise choice; the big problem is they get much too fat in the trunk for a typical American one-meter (3 feet) wide "treelawn" between street and sidewalk. These are trees much better suited to parks and large estates. Their roots and fat trunks, combined with the fat trunks can make them look like gargantuan flaming elephants or octopi. Or, at least as often, with patched of flame.

The leaves are attractive, nice and deep green; I've seen them used as very (very) temporary potted plants.

Daryl, that specimen looks wonderfully proportioned, compared to the hippos I see around here. Do you have any pictures of trees in bloom? They look like Don King (boxing promoter) who dyed his hair bright florescent red, then grew to 1,000 times normal size.

[Hillizard]

On 4/23/2017, 5:41:29, Daryl said:

These are very popular garden trees in SE QLD...the spray of red flowers can be spectacular. But the tree is also an attractive plant when not flowering and has that 'tropical lushness' to it. Here is a larger one I saw today...

Interested in hearing how this grows in your area (if available?)

 

Great picture you posted!

But I had no idea they could grow to such proportions! I've never seen them that size here in California. In a few years I may have a problem in my backyard!  Below is a picture of my Brachychiton acerifolius (foreground) and B. discolor (background), just now leafing out after winter here (Sacramento, CA). No flowers yet...

[gilles06]

got one in my french garden! not as tall as tropical ones but i love it

Edited May 5, 2017 by gilles06

[Loxahatchee Adam]

Here is my Brachyciton acerifolius x bidwilii.   It has the larger bidwilii flowers on an acerifolius cluster/chain of flowers. 

 

 

[gilles06]

Adam, it looks great.

do you have any picture of the whole tree?

Salut

[Daryl]

Not really great examples of the Flower Riot that they can have, but these young ones are growing at the end of my street...

 

 

Tree in my old garden...

 

Here's a close up of the flowers of the tree in my old garden...grew this one from seed...

 

 

 

[Hillizard]

On 5/2/2017 at 4:06 PM, Hillizard said:

 Below is a picture of my Brachychiton acerifolius (foreground) and B. discolor (background), just now leafing out after winter here...

I noticed this week that my Brachychiton discolor is blooming sparsely this year for the first time. The flowers are high up and tucked in among the dense foliage... but that's progress. The tree has grown very quickly and is now around 25+ feet in height. The massive leaf drop in early spring is a chore, but the shade it provides more tender understory plants is worth it until the Butia and mule palm near it can take over 'shading duty.' Not sure if its blooming cycle here in the northern hemisphere isn't well timed with our seasons?