Brachychiton acerifolius

The flowers of the Brachycchiton acerifolius are red

Image sourced from Wikimedia/Bidgee

El Brachychiton acerifolius it is a tree that is cultivated for its beauty. During the spring clusters of small but numerous flowers of a red color that is impossible to ignore sprout from its branches, and furthermore, to this magnificent characteristic we have to add that it is a plant whose crown is always kept with leaves, it only loses a part of its them in winter.

I do not recommend it to have it in pots, since as I am going to tell you now, it is a relatively large species, but in a garden it will look great.

What is the origin and characteristics of the Brachychiton acerifolius?

The leaves of Brachychiton acerifolius are lobed

Image sourced from Wikimedia/VortBot

It is a semi-evergreen tree native to Australia popularly known as the illawarra fire tree. It grows up to 15 meters at a good pace, developing a dense crown formed by lobed and glabrous leaves. Some of these fall in the dry season if the climate is tropical or subtropical, or in winter if it is temperate.

In spring is when you will see its flowers bloom, which are scarlet-red in color, and shaped like little bells. Its fruits are wide, dark brown, and dry. They measure about 10 centimeters long by 1 centimeter in diameter, and contain yellow seeds suitable for human consumption.

What uses is it given?

The Brachychiton acerifolius is a large tree

Image sourced from Flickr/John

As I said, it is a tree used, above all, as an ornamental. It is a plant that if planted as an isolated specimen will greatly embellish the gardenespecially when in bloom. Plus, it provides a pretty nice shade. The only thing you have to keep in mind is that it must be at a distance of at least five meters from pipes and paved floors.

Likewise, it must be said that in its place of origin, the Australian aborigines consume their seeds once they have roasted them.

What are the care that must be given to the fire tree?

The fire tree is a very beautiful tree

Image sourced from Flickr/Tatters ✾

El Brachychiton acerifolius is a plant that grows in direct sun. It is well adapted to living in a wide variety of climates, from tropical to temperate, as long as the minimum temperatures are not too low.

If we talk about soil, it must be fertile and have a good water drainage capacity.. It does not like waterlogging, but on the other hand, it resists drought. For this reason, the irrigation frequency will have to be moderate; Moreover, if 400-500mm of precipitation falls in your area per year, you can stop watering it (or do it more and more spaced) from the second year it is planted in the garden.

During the spring and until the end of the summer you can add a little organic fertilizer from time to time. In this way, you will make it grow with better health.

Otherwise, say that resists up to -7ºC.


8 comments, leave yours

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  1.   Grace Cravero said

    What trees are suitable for income to rural properties???

    1.    todoarboles said

      Hello Graciela.

      What kind of benefits do you want to get from trees? That is, do you want them to be just decorative, or do you need some shade? Would you like them to bear edible fruit?

      On the blog you can find tree files, especially ornamental ones (I have fruit trees pending). But if you have any questions, ask 🙂

      Regards!

  2.   Yamile Agulleiro said

    Hello! I am asking you because I want to put a medium-sized tree that provides shade, that is perennial and that its roots are not very invasive because I want to place it in a 4 x 4 square of grass that can be seen from the entire patio and the house and that is between the pool and barbecue.

    1.    todoarboles said

      Hi Yamile.

      In order to help you I need more information. How is the climate in your area? Is there frost? Does it rain frequently or on the contrary is it a dry climate?

      There are many small perennial trees, for example citrus (orange, lemon, mandarin, etc.). Also the laurel (Laurus nobilis).

      Greetings.

      1.    Isabella said

        Hello. I am very excited because I just bought this tree.

        I wanted to ask: is there any chance that it could be infested by some kind of bug and how to prevent it? I ask this question because I had a plant, I don't remember the name, that became infested with little white bugs smaller than ants and the plant ended up dying. I wouldn't want that to happen to my tree. I appreciate his help.

        1.    Monica Sanchez said

          Hi Isabella.

          Do not worry. I have had three specimens for several years now and I think I have never seen them with pests.

          In any case, for prevention you can treat it with diatomaceous earth every spring. It is a natural insecticide that kills the eggs and larvae of many insects and parasites (it even kills fleas, with that I tell you everything). It is not toxic to pets or humans.

          Greetings.

  3.   Arthur said

    Good afternoon Monica,

    we planted this tree 8 years ago and we still haven't managed to get it to flower, I don't know what we can do to achieve it, sometimes I've thought if they gave us a pig in a poke and it's not that Brachychiton, we live in Mallorca, so the weather is pulling to benign.

    Thanks for your help.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Arturo

      Have you paid it? It may need a little compost, mulch or manure.
      By the way, I'm also in Mallorca 🙂

      Greetings.