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Tree Project.

Styrax – Snowbell Tree.

Styrax consists of about 130 species of plants that can either be thought of as large shrubs, or small trees, and they can be Evergreen, or Deciduous. They mostly originate from the warmer parts of the World in the Northern Hemisphere throughout Eastern Asia, but can also be found as far away as South America.
There are 2 main Species of general interest that are readily available and those are Styrax Hemsleyanus, or ‘The Hemsley Snowbell,’ which is native to China, and Styrax Japonicus, or the ‘Japanese Snowbell,’ that comes from Japan and Korea.
Both are quite hardy here in the UK and do not grow very fast, but will grow into medium sized trees of some 8-12 metres in 20-50 years. The “Snowbell’s” branches grow horizontally and have a spreading habit giving the tree a sort of elongated mushroom shape.
Styrax are generally pest and disease free, but need shelter from cold, or drying winds and they will not stand drought needing fairly moist, but well drained soil. Having said that they are fairly easy to grow and make a lovely addition to the right garden, partly because of their size and partly due to their pretty and sweet smelling, white, flowers. On deciduous plants, the Leaves also put on a show of colour by turning shades of Yellow, or Red, in Autumn. The Flowers hang in racemes and show over a three-week spell either in Spring, or Autumn, depending on the variety.
After the Flowers come a non poisonous Fruit that looks a little like an Olive. These come in abundance in October producing many seeds that can be propagated, but to germinate they need a double period of dormancy, or Stratification. Propagation can also be done by taking softwood cuttings in the Summer months.

Stryrax Trees can be pruned, but it is best to do this in late Winter, or early Spring, before the Buds burst and fresh growth starts.


 

 

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