'Shady Lady' Black Olive

[fastfeat]

Does anyone here have experience propagating 'Shady Lady' black olive (Bucida buceras 'Shady Lady') from cuttings? This (probable) hybrid doesn't set seed, and is apparently propagated vegetatively, but I can't find any info.

I have access to basal suckers that might be easier than root than upper growth. Thanks.

[bubba]

Fastfeat, I do not know anything about the propagation of this tree but do know that it's branches become very spiny and it's fruit dropping's stain anything it touches. I would opt for 100 Austalian Pines over this tree any day.

[fastfeat]

Bubba--

I've never seen fruit on 'Shady Lady'; I was told that this was its chief advantage over the standard black olive. The tannin in the fruit of the regular black olive is responsible for the objectionable staining.

Thorns are present on this, but they are small. Plus, unlike regular black olive, this tree develops a very strong branch structure with very little pruning. This, on Okeechobee in RPB, is basically unpruned.

Ken.

[bubba]

Ken, I did not realize that it was a different variety. The tree I refer to as a "Black Olive"was widely planted in Palm Beach and West Palm Beach a number of years ago as a promising shade tree.As these trees grew and matured it was obvious that a mistake had been made. Together with their spiny limbs and stainey droppings, they really have a hagard ugly look. Even their trunks are ugly.Drive around and look at these older specimens and I think you will agree that there are other much better choices.