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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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