Firmiana simplex SEEDS tetrapanax hardy palm tree Chinese Parasol seed

LATIN NAME: FIRMIANA SIMPLEX

COMMON NAME: Chinese Parasol Tree

The Chinese parasol tree palms the tall, stately, deciduous tree with the smooth, green, polished bark on the young trunks and the huge, palmately lobed leaves that spread like the open hands, the small, greenish-yellow flowers opening in the loose, branching clusters through the early summer, the curious, boat-shaped fruit clusters following, each fruit splitting open to show the pea-like seeds along the edges. The tree grows fast into the upright, elegant form, and it stands the warm weather and the city air well. It likes the sun, and the deep, moist, well-drained soil.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

The smooth, green bark of the Chinese parasol tree holds a long place in the research on the ornamental shade trees of the mallow family, and the simplex species appears in the studies of the trunk development and the boat-shaped fruits. The work looks at the way the green bark polishes with the age, the great palmate leaves, and the seed biology. The botanists note the curious fruit clusters, and the growers of the ornamental shade trees keep the species in their catalogues.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

In the warm garden, the courtyard and the avenue, the Chinese parasol tree palms the courtyard with the great green leaves. The green, polished trunk stands clean and stately, the bark has served the traditional paper-making and the fibre for the ages, the seeds serve the traditional oils, and the tree gives the deep, cool shade. It thrives in the deep, moist, well-drained, sunny ground. Stately, green-trunked and palm-leaved.

To grow the Chinese Parasol Tree from seed, sow the fresh seeds into the moist, gritty mix of the warm pot in the spring, then cover them lightly, keep the tray in the warm, bright spot and water gently, and the seedlings come up without rushing.

Keep the tray warm and gently watered, and pot the seedlings on as they grow. The palm-like leaves come within the season or two. Plant the young trees in the sunny, deep ground, and the palm-like leaves will spread over the years.

Firmiana simplex is a very interesting tree growing to 30 or 40 feet tall. The trunk is green when young and with age turns a light gray color. I was very interested in this plant when I first saw it years ago in a friends garden. I am normally not interested in trees but this had huge leaves in the shape of dinosaur foot prints around 1 foot wide or more and the trunks were bright green. I found it was hardy in zone 6 and even zone 5 if protected. I figured I had to find it as it would make a great addition to my garden. It has taken sometime be I was able to hunt down seeds and have small plants potted up in 4 1/2 inch pots. They are well rooted but still only a 4 to 6 inches tall now. It may take a few years but once in the ground it should grow fast and large.

Plants are in 4 1/2 inch pots

Foliage: Large green divided leaves

Flower: white flowers

Height: 30 to 40 feet

Situation: Full sun to part shade