Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree

[Palms1984]

I discovered this 20ft plus tall Golden Shower tree a couple of weeks in City Heights, San Diego, CA. It was just starting to bloom then.

Edited July 29, 2011 by Palms1984

[Palms1984]

These photos were taken on July 28, 2011.

[Palms1984]

A close up of the flowers.

[Palms1984]

Here's a pic of the trunk.

[fastfeat]

Good catch. Probably the biggest one I've seen in SoCal since the one in South Gate I saw years ago (now removed, formerly posted at this site.)

[Palms1984]

  On 7/29/2011 at 1:05 PM, fastfeat said:

Good catch. Probably the biggest one I've seen in SoCal since the one in South Gate I saw years ago (now removed, formerly posted at this site.)

I've seen the photo you've posted a while back. It's such a pity it was cut down!

I do know of trees growing at Disneyland. However, I haven't seen too many C. fistula growing here, although, I'm sure there must be a lot more growing around.

[LJG]

I grew two of these from small seedlings here. I planted one and gave one to Gary out in Escondido and he planted his also two years ago. His is flowering and started growing a few months ago. Mine in Vista is just now leafing out. In the right spot, these will be slow, but great trees here I think - as this one shows.

[MattyB]

So are these like Delonix where they wait until August to actually start growing?

[LJG]

  On 7/29/2011 at 4:38 PM, MattyB said:

So are these like Delonix where they wait until August to actually start growing?

Just a little faster to start the cycle then Delonix. Much faster the Colvillea.

[Palms1984]

  On 7/29/2011 at 4:38 PM, MattyB said:

So are these like Delonix where they wait until August to actually start growing?

Maybe Cassia fistula grows like Tabebuia heterophylla and looses its leaves before it blooms.

I took some pics of the Sherman Heights Delonix regia tree you discovered in (I think 2008). It's blooming now and has bloomed every year since you originally posted your pics. The Royal Poinciana on Commercial tree is blooming, also.

[BigFrond]

The leaves on mine are very nice right now. The only problem is that the plant died back about 40% every winter. Hopefully when it is larger, the two steps foward and one step back will be gone.

[Palms1984]

  On 8/3/2011 at 10:13 PM, BigFrond said:

The leaves on mine are very nice right now. The only problem is that the plant died back about 40% every winter. Hopefully when it is larger, the two steps foward and one step back will be gone.

Wow! That's a large percentage of die-back per year! Do you know why it's dying back so much?

[fastfeat]

  On 8/3/2011 at 10:13 PM, BigFrond said:

The only problem is that the plant died back about 40% every winter. Hopefully when it is larger, the two steps forward and one step back will be gone.

Indeed, this is usually the case. The Delonix regia at Fullerton Arboretum tree did this for first 5-6 years, then wood toughened-up, surviving even the very cold winter a couple of years back w/o dieback. Unfortunately, the Cassia fistula, planted in a low spot, has not been so lucky.

Edited August 5, 2011 by fastfeat

[BigFrond]

  On 8/5/2011 at 6:17 AM, Palms1984 said:

  On 8/3/2011 at 10:13 PM, BigFrond said:

The leaves on mine are very nice right now. The only problem is that the plant died back about 40% every winter. Hopefully when it is larger, the two steps foward and one step back will be gone.

Wow! That's a large percentage of die-back per year! Do you know why it's dying back so much?

I think my plant is small and I did not take care of it very much. It's in a 5 gal in a very windy location of the house. There are other plants to block out the wind during the winter but a lot of the wind gust just blasted through. Very lame of me though. I could just move the pot to the corner of the house to prevent the winter beating. Hmmmm... I will move the pot this weekend.

[Palms1984]

  On 8/5/2011 at 5:22 PM, BigFrond said:

  On 8/5/2011 at 6:17 AM, Palms1984 said:

  On 8/3/2011 at 10:13 PM, BigFrond said:

The leaves on mine are very nice right now. The only problem is that the plant died back about 40% every winter. Hopefully when it is larger, the two steps foward and one step back will be gone.

Wow! That's a large percentage of die-back per year! Do you know why it's dying back so much?

I think my plant is small and I did not take care of it very much. It's in a 5 gal in a very windy location of the house. There are other plants to block out the wind during the winter but a lot of the wind gust just blasted through. Very lame of me though. I could just move the pot to the corner of the house to prevent the winter beating. Hmmmm... I will move the pot this weekend.

I think many genera in the Fabaceae (Leguminsae) family tend to have tip die-back...I've even seen the very hardy Albizia julibrissin with tip die-back. However, I think it's more prevalent with trees in pots (my opinion - based on observations).

[fastfeat]

I've even seen the very hardy Albizia julibrissin with tip die-back.

Mimosa wilt usually the cause in SoCal.

[Tony Glendale]

Here is a tree in Glendale California. Not sure of the height but it's a good size. Are there casia fistula north of here?

[Stevetoad]

How big are the flowers?

[Tony Glendale]

They look to be about 1 to 1.4 ft long

[Palms1984]

  On 10/3/2011 at 3:47 AM, Tony Glendale said:

Here is a tree in Glendale California. Not sure of the height but it's a good size. Are there casia fistula north of here?

Very nice tree! There's a lot of seed pods on this tree. When was the photo taken?

[Tony Glendale]

I believe I took the photos last september. I jog by the tree a couple times a week. It's in bloom again this year but not as floriferous as last year. Probably the cool spring and summer. The tree drops the seed pods all over the sidewalk. It's a beautiful tree and just wondering if it grows north of here- maybe Santa Barbara or bay area. I planted a small one in my yard this spring.

[Palms1984]

  On 10/6/2011 at 2:02 PM, Tony Glendale said:

I believe I took the photos last september. I jog by the tree a couple times a week. It's in bloom again this year but not as floriferous as last year. Probably the cool spring and summer. The tree drops the seed pods all over the sidewalk. It's a beautiful tree and just wondering if it grows north of here- maybe Santa Barbara or bay area. I planted a small one in my yard this spring.

Thanks for the information! Have you germinated the seeds from this tree?

I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for many years, never saw a Cassia fistula growing there (not saying there's not one growing there, somewhere). I think it's not very likely, though, because it's a little too wet there in winter. I have seen large specimens of Cassia: multiglandulosa (fka: tomentosa), leptophylla, bicapsularis, glauca and a few other species.

[Tony Glendale]

I have collected seeds but forgot to plant them. I am also a bit impatient so I ordered a small tree from Florida. I am keeping my fingers crossed as the tree in the photo is just a mile or so away at a similar location to my home.

[Palms1984]

  On 10/6/2011 at 8:20 PM, Tony Glendale said:

I have collected seeds but forgot to plant them. I am also a bit impatient so I ordered a small tree from Florida. I am keeping my fingers crossed as the tree in the photo is just a mile or so away at a similar location to my home.

It would be very interesting to find out if the the seeds from your neighbor's tree would germinate. I would think your C. fistula would do well...as this tree looks very healthy. Do you know the age of your neighbor's tree?

[Tony Glendale]

Not sure how old the tree is although the house it's next to is of a late 80s vintage. If I ever see the owner I will ask.

[Peter]

Tony, are you growing any other Cassias? Here is my Cassia javanica 'agnes'. It's been in the ground for 2 winters with no discernible die back-seems very promising. And I know a couple of people are trialing C. bakeriana outside in Socal.

[Tony Glendale]

Hi Peter,

This is the only cassia I am trying currently but your photo might inspire me to try a few more. What area are you in? You look like your in a nice microclimate on a hill next to the structure. I tried a colvillia a few years ago without success but that might have been where I planted it (not enough sun).

Thanks

[Palms1984]

Tony:

My two cents on Colvillea racemosa. This tree must have a lot of heat, the hottest and sunniest spot in the yard...it requires the same type of conditions as Delonix regia to grow well. I've had one for 3 years...it does really well here in San Diego.

[Peter]

Hi Tony,

I've had a Colvillea in the ground for about 3 years now. It's been doing fine; it's really responded this year to deep waterings every 10 days or so. Mine is about 7' tall, but I know a friend in Thousand Oaks has one at about 15', and Gary's must be about 12' tall or so. I find them easier than Delonix regia which is marginal,especially for me in Woodland Hills. Heat is not my problem; it's the cold and my poor(but excellent draining) sandy soil. As for Cassias, I will try bakeriana as soon as I get my seedling up to a decent size. If you like yellow flowers, Caesalpinia peltophoroides looks like it's going to be one of the best trees for Socal. What other trees are you growing?

[Tony Glendale]

Your photo encouraged me to try again. I picked up a collvillea today at XOXO. I grow all sorts of stuff. I have ylang ylang that's been in the ground since spring 2010 but it's still only 2ft tall and lots of different types of fruit trees.

[Peter]

Tony, I"m not growing any fruit trees with the exception of a Mango 'timatayo' which I planted this year-we'll see how it fares over winter. I am growing many flowering trees-drop me a line if you ever want to come over to my side of the valley.

[Palms1984]

  On 10/8/2011 at 5:51 PM, Peter said:

Hi Tony,

I've had a Colvillea in the ground for about 3 years now. It's been doing fine; it's really responded this year to deep waterings every 10 days or so. Mine is about 7' tall, but I know a friend in Thousand Oaks has one at about 15', and Gary's must be about 12' tall or so. I find them easier than Delonix regia which is marginal,especially for me in Woodland Hills. Heat is not my problem; it's the cold and my poor(but excellent draining) sandy soil. As for Cassias, I will try bakeriana as soon as I get my seedling up to a decent size. If you like yellow flowers, Caesalpinia peltophoroides looks like it's going to be one of the best trees for Socal. What other trees are you growing?

Peter:

Your Colvillea racemosa looks terrific! I can't wait to see it blooming!

[Palms1984]

Peter:

My friend in Fallbrook has two Cassia bakeriana and he's had them for 4 years. According to him nothing appears to faze them at all(cool, wet, heat, dry soil). However, they haven't bloomed yet.

He's thinking they may have similar hardiness to Cassia leptophylla.

[Tony Glendale]

Thanks Paul that would be great to see your trees. I am in your area every couple of weeks running errands on the weekends.

[Peter]

That's great news Andy-let's hope we can bloom them here. I know in Florida it only takes a few years to get them up to blooming size.

[Palms1984]

  On 10/9/2011 at 11:24 PM, Peter said:

That's great news Andy-let's hope we can bloom them here. I know in Florida it only takes a few years to get them up to blooming size.

Hopefully when the weather gets back to normal (from the last two strange weather years)the exotic plants will grow and bloom better.