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California Gardening

Brachychiton - Flame tree in CA?

slowjane CA/ Sunset 21

10 years ago

Hi All -

We've just moved to a new house with a backyard about 25x20 - and there is a small volunteer brachychiton - about 4 ' having grown from about 2 ' a couple months ago - wondering if anyone has any experience with this tree in SoCal? We are on the northeast side of Los Angeles. My gardener/arborist friend got really excited about it - so then I was thinking of keeping it - but will it bloom here? And will it drop its leaves? Also, how quickly will it grow and is it way too big for us (probably?)

thanks much for any thoughts!!
slowjane

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Comments (6)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
10 years ago
Do you know what species? They are here and there in Southern California, and yes they bloom, though it may be some number of years before a seedling starts to do that. Depending on species they may be briefly decidious, or partially deciduous.
slowjane CA/ Sunset 21
Original Author
10 years ago
I'm not sure - the arborist who visited said it was acerifolius - but i haven't been able to find a picture that matched. Do you recognize these leaves?
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hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
10 years ago
Brachychiton all right, but I don't know them enough to ID the species. B. rupestris my favorite. Suggest you plant it at least 30' from you house.
slowjane CA/ Sunset 21
Original Author
10 years ago
ah okay then it is definitely too close. do you know if they transplant well at all? i read they might - perhaps i could dig it up and give it away....
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
10 years ago
It's just a baby. It should be transplantable.
slowjane CA/ Sunset 21
Original Author
10 years ago
thanks hoovb!

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