Description

Bottle Tree Kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus) is a large, evergreen tree native to Australia. It can reach 50’ tall and 30’ wide but has been planted and maintained in residential gardens to stay in the 20-30' height range. It is a very ornamental tree that has interestingly shaped leaves and clusters of white flowers that develop into seed pots that rattle in the wind. If this tree is selected for a small garden, it will require regular pruning and shaping to keep it to a desired size. The seed pots can also create a mess under the tree, so it is best to plant this tree in a location that can absorb the droppings. Once this tree is established, it requires very little water, so it is a great choice for drought-tolerant gardens. When it reaches a more mature size, leave the pruning to a licensed arborist to keep it looking and performing at its best. This tree should be planted at least five feet away from any hardscape areas, 10 feet from structures such as houses and buildings, and not near any powerlines. Shrubs and perennials should be planted about three feet away from this tree. It should be irrigated for about 45 minutes once a week when using most in-line drip irrigation systems.