LandscapeMarch 2014

L-34

Published by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in co-operation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the Director/Dean, Cooperative Extension Service/CTAHR, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96822. Copyright 2011, University of Hawai‘i. For reproduction and use permission, contact the CTAHR Office of Communication Services, ocs@ctahr.hawaii.edu, 808-956-7036. The university is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution providing programs and services to the people of Hawai‘i without regard to race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual orientation, or status as a covered veteran. Find CTAHR publications at www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/freepubs.

Expanding Tree Diversity in Hawai‘i’s Landscapes: Pride-of-Bolivia, Rosewood, Tipuana tipu

Richard CrileyDepartment of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences

This fast-growing relative of the monkeypod tree can reach 60+ feet in height by up to 80 feet in diameter

as a flat- to round-crowned specimen. Thus, it is more suitable for parks and hotel grounds than single-family residences. In Hawai‘i it is semi-deciduous, but in cooler climates, it defoliates in winter. Establishes rapidly with heavy watering but is somewhat drought tolerant once established.

Recommended Use in Landscapes • Public open space or courtyard• Shade or street tree (wide planting zone)• Parks, schools, hotel grounds

Distribution • Native to Bolivia, southern Brazil, and Argentina Propagation Techniques • Primarily from seed

Cultural Requirements and Tolerance • Prefers full sun• Moderate drought tolerance and low salt tolerance• Prefers well-drained, nutrient-rich soil, but tolerant of

wide range of soil types with the exception of alkaline• Thoroughly mulch and fertilize yearly• As with monkeypod, pruning required early on to

establish main scaffold branches

Flower and Fruit Characteristics • Showy panicles with yellow to slightly orange flowers

produced in mid-summer• Winged seeds up to 3 inches long

UH–CTAHR Expanding Tree Diversity in Hawai‘i’s Landscapes: Pride-of-Bolivia L-34 — Mar. 2014

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Leaf Characteristics • Pinnately compound with 11–21 pairs of blue-green

to greyish, oval to oblong leaflets• The thin-textured leaflets are up to 1½ inches long by

about ½ inch wide.• Leaves borne alternately on stems

Advantages for Use in Landscapes • Forms widespread, dense, flat-topped canopy• Fast growing• Showy, colorful flowers• HPWRA score of 0• Possible alternative to monkeypod

Disadvantages for Use in Landscapes • Potentially aggressive root system• Seed production is prolific.• Heavy pruning and watering produce lanky growth

that destroys the natural canopy shape.