Re: Idesia polycarpa

Irene Kuffel wrote:
> 
> Hello all,
> 
>    I was browsing through the new "Dirr's Trees and Shrubs for
>    Warm Climates" and came across this rather intriguing-looking
>    tree, idesia polycarpa ("Igiri Tree").
> 
>    It's from S.Japan, central/western China, so not mediterranean.
>    But, the description says it "Tolerates heat, drought, and
>    substandard soils" which _sounds_ like it would do well in
>    mediterranean regions.  It has attractive leaves and bark,
>    and a fruiting tree looks quite a knock-out covered with
>    panicles of red berries. Also, "Extremely fast growing as
>    a young tree. Easily grown from fresh planted seed."
> 
>    Given all that, I find it curious that this tree is not more
>    popular than it is - I have never (knowingly) seen this tree in
>    California. Have any of you any personal experience with this
>    tree? Are there any downsides? Is the "Easily grown from ..."
>    sentence a warning that it is invasive? Does anyone know if
>    there any sources for this in California?
> 
Irene 
This is quite well known here where it is usually called the "Wonder
Tree". Apart from the berries it has very hadsome deciduous foliage
turning yellow before falling.

Its distribution is limited by climate as it does not stand very heavy
frosts and is happiest in a temperate to warm temperate climate.(Climate
zones 6-10)
An old, but still very authoritative, account says " An idea climate
resembling the native habitat  is one with well-defined seasons, a hot
summer, dry autumn and reasonable freedom from heavy frosts (and strong
winds). I have seen them occasionally around my home area, but they are
not too often planted just here because of our frequent gales.

The main problem with heavy frosts or winds or with a lot of pruning is
that the trees if damaged are  very prone to attack by wound fungi or
bacteria.

Although the account you quote suggests it is tolerent of adverse soil
conditions  Botanica recommends "moderately fertile moist but
well-drained acid soils".

The trees are dioecious, so to get berries you will need to accomodate
at least one male besides your female plant(s). They are usually here
sold in grafted pairs, but can also be grown from cuttings. (My very old
account gives a natty way of distinguishing the sex in young seed-grown
trees, if seed is all one can get).

The berries are very handsome as they hang through winter on the bare
branches and birds do not touch them, so provided you cut off the old
bunches in spring before they finally fall they are unlkely to spread
around.

Sorry I can't help with a Californian source.

Moira

-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ.     Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index