It grows quickly when young and slows to a mature height of about 40’ under cultivation. The crown has an airy appearance with large, pinnate leaves, simular to sumac.
Leaves change color from pink or red to yellow/bronze, then to green. A second flush of leaves follows the first spring growth, so the tree can look a little bare in late spring. Like all plants with powerful medicinal attributes, Toona trees have a distinctive odor that can be quite pungent in close quarters.
A fast growing, deciduous tree, the Chinese mahogany cannot grow in shade but will tolerate any soil type as long as it is well-drained. In favourable conditions, it will grow to 20m (65ft).
As well as its attractive foliage, the tree produces sweetly-scented flowers in July. Cream in colour, they hang in pendulous clusters and are pollinated by insects.
It also bears fruits in the form of capsules containing winged seeds. These, along with the bark and root of the tree, are used in traditional Chinese medicine. (source: kew.org)
Genus - Toona
Species - Sinensis
Common name - Chinese Mahogany
Pre-Treatment - Not-required
Hardiness zones - 5 - 9
Height - 30'-50' / 9 - 15 m
Spread - 25'-30' / 7.60 - 9 m
Plant type - Medium Tree
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade
Growth rate - Fast
Soil PH - 6.1-7.8 (mildly acidic to mildly alkaline)
Soil type - Any soil type as long as it is well-drained
Water requirements - Average water needs. Water regularly, no overwatering
Care level - Easy
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Germination rate - 85%
Bloom season - Late Spring/Early Summer
Leaf / Flower color - Green / White / Near White
Useful Info | |
Germination | Optimum germination temperature is +25C. Soak the seeds for 24 hours in warm water. Either surface sow the seed and press firmly into soil, or spread the seeds over a towel until they germinate. Germination takes 6-14 days. When they’ve sprouted transplant them to a pot or outdoors with potting compost and water well. Keep moist but not soggy. Requires full sun to partial shade. Prefers rich, moist, well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5-8.0. |