skip to main content

California Gardening

African Tulip Tree

16 years ago

Can anyone tell me what this means? We live in San Diego, 10 miles inland, and suffered from the frost this winter. Our biggest worry has been our African Tulip Tree. We are happy to report it is ALIVE. However, the buds are all on the trunk where major branches join. Each day, the growth seems to be going higher and higher on the trunk...almost to the top, but still nothing on the branches, although some branches are almost as thick as the trunk. I don't remember having buds in those areas or on the trunk in general last year. Has anyone seen this before? Are the branches just slow, are will be have an "armless" tree? I hope not! Thanks

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

fouquieria
16 years ago
I have two of these. The larger one suffered almost no damage and the other one is reacting similar to yours.

In the heat of summer, these trees do best with lots of water. As the new growth commences, I would start giving it lots of water. With the added moisture, they will start to recover fast.

-Ron-
calpat
16 years ago
From googling I found some pictures and it's indeed a very handsome tree. However, I could not find any care/growing instructions. What zone would this tree be happy in , any urls available for care and growing?
Related Discussions
Tree ID's
Q
Comments (5)
The tree was ID'd as a calabash on the tropical fruit forum. I looked up the Higurea and both look the same but I couldn't find if they actually were the same tree, just different names. The seeds are used to make a drink, the pulp is used as animal feed and like you mentioned the dried shells are used for making bowls and maracas.
...See More
Anyone growing African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata)?
Q
Comments (6)
I've read and heard of a few people trying them out here. They can definitely handle the heat, and the cold as well, but might need some protection in the first few winters. I've also heard that they are a bit brittle and the winds we get in the spring time will most likely snap a few branches. Would love to try one though. I know Shamus O'Leary sells them. Not sure if he still has some in stock. Contact him on facebook if you're interested in one.
...See More
African Tulip Tree
Q
Comments (8)
Hi Jerry, it started as just a split in the bark and then it got worse. The bark then pealed off. It is in a bed so no damage from a lawn mower or weed wacker, & my husband knows better then to damage my trees. lol The exposed wood now seem hard and I don't see any signs of lightning. I did the pruning and am carefull not to cut the colar or tear the bark. It almost seemed to grow too fast and split the bark. It grew to the 15ft in 2 years. But it was always strong and I never needed to stake it. Some of my other trees had marks in the bark from being staked too long and too tight. My mistake. I am still fighting the wasps with my sunshine tree and now this. :o(
...See More
One man's weed...
Q
Comments (23)
It is strange how a plant can get out of hand when it's not where god intended it to be. Funny how people struggle to keep treeferns alive and happy in their gardens, but in Hawaii they are invasive! Now these could be an exportable resource to the mainland. Both Cyathea cooperi (an Australian native) and the large fern Angiopteris evecta are problematic invasives. Both are also very desirable plants on the world market. I have heard that C. cooperi in particular is potentially replacing the native Cibotium species in some areas. Here's a link to the alien species of fern in Hawaii. PF Here is a link that might be useful: Alien Ferns in Hawaii
...See More
youreit
16 years ago
More info is linked below, Pat. It's rated as hardy in USDA zones 10-11 (Sunset zones 21-24, and Hawaii).

Brenda

Here is a link that might be useful: Spathodea campanulata

Related Stories

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: African Art and Midcentury Style in a Louisiana Home

Global mementos and classic modern furnishings come together in a couple’s one-of-a-kind home and artist’s studio-residence

PLANTING IDEAS Easygoing Tulip Ideas From a Grand California Garden

Gather up these ways to use tulips to make a spring garden of any size overflow with beauty

GARDENING GUIDES 3 Exotic Flowers From the South African Wild

By CYAN Horticulture

Add an enticing note to a garden border or patio container with these sophisticated and memorable African plants

HOLIDAYS Celebrating Kwanzaa: Honor African Heritage All Over the Home

By Nicole White Designs Interiors LLC

Bring the spirit of this weeklong celebration home by embracing its traditions and decorating with African-inspired pieces

DECORATING GUIDES Culture an African Look With Artifacts

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

A ceremonial headdress, a carved wood stool for a king ... African artifacts bring culture and significance to the home

CONTEMPORARY HOMES Houzz Tour: Curves and Angles Among South African Sand Dunes

By Mitchell Parker

Nature's forces, gifts and Bob Marley influenced this unusual home on a temperate coast

HOUSEPLANTS Aim High With This Tall African Houseplant

By creative jewish mom.com

Corn dracaena can give you a big splash of green with little fuss

FALL GARDENING 5 Native Early-Spring Bloomers to Plant This Fall

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Think beyond tulips and daffodils this year with plants that you and native pollinators will love

HOUSEPLANTS Get a Dash of the Rain Forest With Madagascar Dragon Tree

By creative jewish mom.com

This living decoration reaches up to 15 feet, has minimal needs and adapts to different light levels — just steer clear of fluoride

SPRING GARDENING 7 Spectacular and Practical Spring-Flowering Trees

Put on a beauteous show in the garden with a landscape tree awash in flowers — just do your homework first

Sponsored

More Discussions

pruning fig tree

2

Do you defoliate your roses?

18

Cercis occidentalis from seed collected today 2/14/24

4

What type of oak is this? zone 9b/10a SF East Bay

2

Is This baby Ivy…eating my shrubs…

1