I'm not sure which species of Hura these are, most likely Hura polyandra. These are growing in my hometown, they went through 2011 and 2021 and they're still growing nicely. These have been becoming popular slowly, I still don't know where people get these from. I know they are native to Mexico but I have never seen them on sale. There are more trees in town but are not as impressive and old. I think these could grow well in South Texas if they do well here. They gain size pretty fast like if it were a tropical Ficus.

Locations:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xBJXPKgQX6wmMWuo8

https://maps.app.goo.gl/99u4HkwB8g9s2mMR9

10 hours ago, idontknowhatnametuse said:

I'm not sure which species of Hura these are, most likely Hura polyandra. These are growing in my hometown, they went through 2011 and 2021 and they're still growing nicely. These have been becoming popular slowly, I still don't know where people get these from. I know they are native to Mexico but I have never seen them on sale. There are more trees in town but are not as impressive and old. I think these could grow well in South Texas if they do well here. They gain size pretty fast like if it were a tropical Ficus.

Locations:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xBJXPKgQX6wmMWuo8

https://maps.app.goo.gl/99u4HkwB8g9s2mMR9

H. polyandra or crepitans would be the only two choices in the Genus, w/ poly having the wider distribution across Mex. between the two. ( H. crepitans = Caribbean Basin / southern Cen AM / Northern S. AM. )

Interesting tree regardless though i might be mindful of where they are planted ( Seeds are released quite violently, hence one of it's other names being " Dynamite Tree " )

YT short vid discussing it. Seed can be flung at a rate up to 160mph/ 240km/h

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZWGFQ-K67jc

Have seen specimens of these growing in Baja when street view touring ...and in Sonora, so i'd imagine surviving in S. TX. should be pretty easy.

24 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

H. polyandra or crepitans would be the only two choices in the Genus, w/ poly having the wider distribution across Mex. between the two. ( H. crepitans = Caribbean Basin / southern Cen AM / Northern S. AM. )

Interesting tree regardless though i might be mindful of where they are planted ( Seeds are released quite violently, hence one of it's other names being " Dynamite Tree " )

YT short vid discussing it. Seed can be flung at a rate up to 160mph/ 240km/h

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZWGFQ-K67jc

Have seen specimens of these growing in Baja when street view touring ...and in Sonora, so i'd imagine surviving in S. TX. should be pretty easy.

I remember collecting seed of one of these in the Yucatan peninsula back when I thought that this was a Ceiba or something from Bombacoideae, the pod that looks like a pumpkin didn't explode but it had been eaten and was non viable.

2 hours ago, idontknowhatnametuse said:

I remember collecting seed of one of these in the Yucatan peninsula back when I thought that this was a Ceiba or something from Bombacoideae, the pod that looks like a pumpkin didn't explode but it had been eaten and was non viable.

Can't remember how closely related Hura is to Manchaneel but like it, ..green fruits / seeds, and milky sap produces toxic compounds that can burn skin.

Could be one reason why you don't see them sold in nurseries there. Folks growing them may have obtained them by passing seed around / collecting off wild trees.

Wonder how Sterculia apetala ( Panama Tree ) would do there..

20 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Can't remember how closely related Hura is to Manchaneel but like it, ..green fruits / seeds, and milky sap produces toxic compounds that can burn skin.

Could be one reason why you don't see them sold in nurseries there. Folks growing them may have obtained them by passing seed around / collecting off wild trees.

Wonder how Sterculia apetala ( Panama Tree ) would do there..

Looks very tropical, I don't think it would grow well.