Looking for Tropical Tree Recommendations

[Peter]

Tim, Leon doesn't frequent Palm Talk; he is on BigLeaf from time to time however.

[ariscott]

Deplanchea is a good idea in theory Ari, but it is proving to be a tough grow here in Socal.

Sorry... I forgot that you grow them in Florida, not Cal...

Regards, Ari

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Acmena smithii Lily Pily are a baeutiful tree

http://www.metrotrees.com.au/treehandbook/...na-smithii.html

[epicure3]

Hey all

I am always going to pimp our local forest fever tree. Anthocleister grandiflora

Easy to grow and fast. Grows upright and makes an awesome canopy. Evergreen.

That almost looks like a Ficus Pseudopalma. I wouldn't even know where to pick up a Anthocleister grandiflora. Looks very cool, though.

[epicure3]

John, there are choices, but one of the limiting factors is trying to find something that will top out at 15-20'. I would say that Moreton Bay Chestnut is definitely too big; also, isn't Khaya Nyasica also a very large tree? Deplanchea is a good idea in theory Ari, but it is proving to be a tough grow here in Socal. I personally love Caesalpinias, both ferrea and peltophoroides, but they will get too large, although the ferrea seems to be a more upright tree. So, what's left? I'm a big fan of Tabebuias; impetiginosa will eventually get larger than 20' but could take awhile, especially if you held back the water(which they don't mind as they're very drought tolerant). There are some smaller Tabs, but they tend to be alot slower growing. One idea might be the cross between impetiginosa and chrysotricha-apricot flowers and they seem to be smaller than impetiginosa. Of course, it will probably be tough to find. I have a few small seedlings but they're a couple of years away from planting size. Another good possibility is Jacaranda jasminoides-the only caveat is that no one seems to know exactly how large it will become. I am guessing that it will top out at about 20' so it might be a really good choice. Much nice than a mimosifolia, as it has broader leaflets, doesn't seem to get ratty in the spring, and has fantastic deep purple flowers. Leon has them for $40 each-I'm growing this one, and there are several others here growing it as well. Len even flowered his in the first year. Stemmadenia littoralis is a small tree that would probably top out in Socal at around 12-15'-beautiful scented flowers and lush foliage. Ron is growing it in San Diego and loves it. You'll have trouble finding one of size however-again I've got some small seedlings but they're a couple of years away from planting. Perhaps a source in Florida would ship one here as they're easily found there. Trevesia palmata is an interesting tree that might work there-it's grown for it's foliage instead of it's flowers. Markhamia seems like it would be a good choice, although I don't know much about it personally. John Rees had a Markhamia at the Palm Society meeting(photos included). That's my 2 cents; no doubt there are other choices but that's all I can think of right now.

Thanks for the shoutout, Peter. Those are some interesting options. The Stemmadenia can be gotten here locally and I didn't even think about that. the flowers on that tree are beautiful and fragrant. That look good. I don't mind the tree natually getting bigger than the 20' as long as I can trim it without hurting it. That will be problematic, I suppose, in later years for sure. The Markhamia gets tall, but stays somewhat narrow and I could live with that. RSN has some Stemmadenia and I'm going to check with them.

[epicure3]

Tim, Leon doesn't frequent Palm Talk; he is on BigLeaf from time to time however.

What's the URL for that?

[mnorell]

If Michelias are too messy for you, then I assume what you want is not based on deciduous habit (since Michelia is an evergreen) but rather a large shrub/small tree with very small leaflets that will "disappear" when they hit the ground. You probably won't want Markhamias due to leaf-drop. Ditto all Erythrinas. Castanospermum is definitely too large for your space, and will also be messy. Tabebuias are deciduous, and they also drop a ton of flowers (a la Jacaranda) and it sounds like that might give you too much litter as well. May I suggest Senna surattensis (scrambled egg tree) or Peltophorum africanum. Both are showy, small trees, both should bloom even in San Diego's cool climate. You could also try one of the Schotias. I would also suggest Caesalpinia mexicana/yucatanensis but these can throw seeds a good distance and you will have volunteers all over, sounds like you want a very "neat" yard so I wouldn't suggest the latter.

[ariscott]

What about Mesua Ferrea?? Would that handle the cold?

Regards, Ari

Edited July 30, 2009 by ariscott

[epicure3]

If Michelias are too messy for you, then I assume what you want is not based on deciduous habit (since Michelia is an evergreen) but rather a large shrub/small tree with very small leaflets that will "disappear" when they hit the ground. You probably won't want Markhamias due to leaf-drop. Ditto all Erythrinas. Castanospermum is definitely too large for your space, and will also be messy. Tabebuias are deciduous, and they also drop a ton of flowers (a la Jacaranda) and it sounds like that might give you too much litter as well. May I suggest Senna surattensis (scrambled egg tree) or Peltophorum africanum. Both are showy, small trees, both should bloom even in San Diego's cool climate. You could also try one of the Schotias. I would also suggest Caesalpinia mexicana/yucatanensis but these can throw seeds a good distance and you will have volunteers all over, sounds like you want a very "neat" yard so I wouldn't suggest the latter.

Really, it's not the leaf drop that I dislike as the Michelia looks pretty lush all year even with the leaf drop. It's the fact that the leaves don't break down. They are members of the Magnolia family and the leaves just stick around. It is also the volume of leaves that the tree drops pretty much from March through July. I am tired of being out there every day picking up armfuls of leaves. Any tree that drops leaves that decompose easily are fine.

[Urban Rainforest]

John, I have Khaya Nyasica 5 gal., Psuedobombax Elipticum 5 gal., Peltophorum Dubium 15 gal. and Caesalpinia Ferrea 1 gal. all of which would work fine in your space. LMK if interested.

Stevo

[LJG]

Caesalpinia Ferrea is another great choice. It grows narrow and slow.

Side note - Castanospermum is not messy at all. Yes it gets big, but it is slow. It is REALLY slow when you cut back to secondary growing points.

I agree with you on Michelia. I use to have tons of Champaca trees. I ripped all of them out but one. The leaf drop is massive and the leaves do not break down well as stated. Markhamias drop, but break down and they do not drop in mass like Michelia.

[epicure3]

John, I have Khaya Nyasica 5 gal., Psuedobombax Elipticum 5 gal., Peltophorum Dubium 15 gal. and Caesalpinia Ferrea 1 gal. all of which would work fine in your space. LMK if interested.

Stevo

Sent you a PM, Steve.

[epicure3]

Decided to go with a Stemmadenia litorales. Thanks for all the input and ideas!!

[fastfeat]

Alberta magna is real pain to germinate. I am sitting on 100 seed and none will germinate. Leon said they were tough. Small plants are difficult too. I lost mine. From being stupid.

Also, where do you expect to find Alberta magna in SoCal?

Len--

Hawthorne Nursery on El Segundo, near LAX, used to have these in 5s (and 15's?). Been a couple of years since I saw them, but time moves kinda slowly there, so possibly still a few there if you poke around. They also have a growing grounds in Fallbrook; maybe they could bring one down from the LA site?

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=...Y6NHA5BOQEW6drQ

Edited July 31, 2009 by fastfeat

[epicure3]

Alberta magna is real pain to germinate. I am sitting on 100 seed and none will germinate. Leon said they were tough. Small plants are difficult too. I lost mine. From being stupid.

Also, where do you expect to find Alberta magna in SoCal?

Len--

Hawthorne Nursery on El Segundo, near LAX, used to have these in 5s (and 15's?). Been a couple of years since I saw them, but time moves kinda slowly there, so possibly still a few there if you poke around. They also have a growing grounds in Fallbrook; maybe they could bring one down from the LA site?

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=...Y6NHA5BOQEW6drQ

Thanks.

[fastfeat]

Alberta magna is real pain to germinate. I am sitting on 100 seed and none will germinate. Leon said they were tough. Small plants are difficult too. I lost mine. From being stupid.

Also, where do you expect to find Alberta magna in SoCal?

Len--

Hawthorne Nursery on El Segundo, near LAX, used to have these in 5s (and 15's?). Been a couple of years since I saw them, but time moves kinda slowly there, so possibly still a few there if you poke around. They also have a growing grounds in Fallbrook; maybe they could bring one down from the LA site?

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=...Y6NHA5BOQEW6drQ

Thanks.

Hawthorne Nursery is a rather small, family-run place with mainly "the basics," but they're really good "plant people." Be sure to check the "growing grounds" on the south side of El Segundo and go into the propagating houses (ignore the faded 'Do Not Enter' signs) too.

Plants I've gotten from them in the past include Rondeletia cordata, Carissa carandas, Vitex lucens.

Closed on Sundays, I believe.

[Than]

Is Markhamia Stipulata evergreen?

And that Khaya nyasica is such a stunner!!

[Than]

On 7/31/2009 at 6:10 AM, epicure3 said:

Decided to go with a Stemmadenia litorales. Thanks for all the input and ideas!!

how did that go?