I love this plant, but I would NOT recommend planting it. Let me explain: Kalopanax septemlobus, or castor aralia, is the only large tre...Read Moree in the Araliaceae family, eventually getting up to 80+ feet tall! It has attractive large (1 foot wide sometimes!) leaves that vary in shape from maple-like to Fatsia-like, on chunky upright stems with impressive, vicious, thorns. The flower umbels on mature specimens can be two feet wide, and are a sight to behold when the whole tree is blooming. These eventually give way to countless small black berries, which are the big PROBLEM. Birds love these berries, and will eat them in huge quantities, spreading them through their poop wherever they go. A single mature tree can lead to hundreds of seedlings in at least a one mile radius. A handful of specimens at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston have lead to an epidemic of these plants throughout the entire city. So, I would recommend, if you want to grow this plant, cutting it back to about 4 or 5 feet each year and growing it as a large shrub. By cutting it back, you cause the plant to send up many stems, to grow larger leaves, and you prevent the plant from ever flowering and producing seeds. I've seen a couple of specimens maintained like this, and they really make people ask "What is that!?". The leaves of this species are also edible cooked, and are grown commercially in South Korea for this purpose - they've even selected a thornless variety. Variegated plants are occasionally available in Japan but haven't made their way into Western horticulture.
This is a very attractive, unique tree which provides a tropical feel but is winter hardy. It is attractive throughout the year with lush...Read More foliage and an interresting winter appearance to the twigs and bark. In the landscape it makes a great specimen tree adding an unusual touch of the tropics to northern gardens.
I live in Boston near the Arnold Arboretum, where this tree produces tremendous numbers of seedlings.
I have observed thi...Read Mores tree spreading rapidly into the surrounding neighborhoods and several miles into the suburbs beyond. It produces vast quantities of seeds which are effectively distributed by birds. Its behavior has been so alarming that, despite its rarity, it has become a plant of concern to many organizations concerned with the preservation of natural areas.
This tree is very thorny. Many people are reluctant to weed out the seedlings because they're so formidably armed.
Three of these have popped up in my yard uninvited, and it looks like they germinated over a two-year period. I've seen a couple of other...Read Mores around the neighborhood, too. It's definitely an interesting-looking tree, but I'm wondering if it might be one of the next great invaders.
I planted three seeds that I got from Smiths Pond in Lyndonville, NY from a mature and lovely tree which is beside the pond and near Plat...Read Moreton Rd. All three seeds have thrived in my Yard on State St in Medina, with one of them planted between curb and sidewalk so that all can enjoy the beauty of the rather sweet gum-like leaves. All are over 6 ft tall, with one being slightly over 15 ft tall since planting in 2001. The stout thorns make them rather interesting to look upon. I was first introduced to this tree when stationed in Seoul, South Korea in 1995, and saw the trees growing wild on Namsan Mountain.
Bought a little plant last year and it died to the ground. It came back this year. But I gave it a positive because I think it'll becom...Read Moree one of my favorite trees. I love the large leaves it has and also the thorns that cover the stem.
This tree is not grown commonly in the Syracuse area. Two specimens at Pass Arboretum reputed to be the only K pictus in the city. Both...Read More have been severely damaged from storms.
Foliage very unusual and ornamental.
Staff at the Arnold Arboretum, Boston have complained that it is a nuisance. Thorns on naturalized 'volunteers' make removal difficult.
Plus and minus.
I'll try to find pictures of the foliage.
I love this plant, but I would NOT recommend planting it. Let me explain: Kalopanax septemlobus, or castor aralia, is the only large tre...Read More
This is a very attractive, unique tree which provides a tropical feel but is winter hardy. It is attractive throughout the year with lush...Read More
I live in Boston near the Arnold Arboretum, where this tree produces tremendous numbers of seedlings.
I have observed thi...Read More
Hi all
I recieved my seeds today that i orderd from the USA. I live in the UK and need some help with germination of the s...Read More
Three of these have popped up in my yard uninvited, and it looks like they germinated over a two-year period. I've seen a couple of other...Read More
I planted three seeds that I got from Smiths Pond in Lyndonville, NY from a mature and lovely tree which is beside the pond and near Plat...Read More
Bought a little plant last year and it died to the ground. It came back this year. But I gave it a positive because I think it'll becom...Read More
This tree is not grown commonly in the Syracuse area. Two specimens at Pass Arboretum reputed to be the only K pictus in the city. Both...Read More