Spathodea campanulata - African Tulip Tree Flower Bud

Mine was completely knocked over by Cyclone Yasi ... flat to the ground despite being around 15 feet tall. We've had to cut it right back to a stump, but it's still lying on its side and won't stand up. It's sprouting new growth already though ... not sure what to do about it!

Bernieh:

So sorry to hear about your African Tulip tree! :>(

They can be weak trees. In S. Florida when they are hit by hurricanes (cyclones)...many times the huge African Tulips trees explode in the hurricane-force winds (I've read).

Many times if the tree is cut to the ground it'll come back with better branch structure. I would think it'll grow very quickly there...as it's a very fast growing tree. I've seen them grow to 20ft/6.1m in less than 3 years here.

Maybe it'll grow back stronger this time. I would actually hate to lose it altogether as it makes such a great display every year when it's blooming. It will of course take a little while to get back to its former glory if we decide to keep it.

Bernieh:

Do African Tulip trees sell for cheap there?

Actually you can't buy them in the nurseries here any more as it's a Class 3 declared pest plant in Queensland. Luckily this area is not classed as an environmentally significant spot on the map of Queensland, so I'm allowed to keep it in my garden. Because of the poor conditions here, it will never grow as huge as it does in other areas of our state anyway.

Bernieh:

Then you can just a find a seedling tree along the roadside. lol! :>)

I do know they're considered weed trees in many wet tropical areas. In Hawai'i and Florida they're considered weed trees.

These tree have naturalized to a very limited extent in some areas of San Diego, however, it's way too dry for them to be a problem weed tree here.

There's always little seedlings underneath this tree after the blooming season, but then they die off during the dry season we get, so I'm pretty sure there's not much chance of this tree taking over the bushland around here.

Now the Poinciana ... that's a different story. You should see how many have sprung up in the bushland ever since we moved in over ten years ago. I have seedlings springing up everywhere around the property all the time! Give it a another generation or two and they will probably naturalize in the bush here.

Bernieh:

If you allowed the a seedling to grow it should become large pretty fast (of course, if it's given water). :>)

Yes, Delonix regia (Royal Poinciana) is extremely drought tolerant. They also don't need very fertile soil.

I wish Delonix regia would naturalize here in San Diego! :>)