Tag: Caesalpinia Ferrea

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Leopard Tree in May

I have to highlight this special tree – my Leopard Tree (caesalpinnea ferrea). I have to stand in awe sometimes when I walk out on my front deck and see the Leopard Tree going through it’s next seasonal change. (previous post on the leaves here) It literally changes from week to week. The bark is now maturing and the beautiful colours are coming through. This is the reason it is called a Leopard Tree because of its spotted bark. It is also known as a Brazilian Ironwood Tree.

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This is such a beautiful tree and when full grown will give us a beautiful canopy – can’t wait! I can see the difference in size and shape between the two trees I have – the one in the background is obviously younger. It is also a different shape and colour. The bark has not yet matured and it’s cycle is so different to the one in the grass feature. For instance, it flowered and sprouted new leaves 2-3 months behind the other tree. It gets the same water and feeding time as the other Leopard Tree. Hmmm… maybe we need to give it more love!

Oh look – today the bark is curling and peeling!! I believe this shows the age of the tree, by the colour of the bark.

Enjoy your garden. As you can see, I have lots of cleaning up to do this week xxxxx

 

 

 

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Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Trees

Leopard Tree in bloom

It is such a wonder to watch my Leopard Tree develop. It has so many different “seasons” and this can happen all in a week!! Last week I stood on my front porch and could see the lime green leaves – so delicate and they were all open. I spotted something yellow on top and sure enough – there were flowers!! Very strange time to flower, but, hey! I’m not complaining! I needed something new for GBBD for March. So they start flowering at the end of summer and I will monitor how long they will bloom.

[one_half]Love the changing greens of this tree[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Light green when the leaves are open[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Delicate lovely yellow flowers[/one_half]

[one_half_last]I just love this foliage![/one_half_last]

Check this out – 1 week later:

Now this week I see a totally different tree! Take a look at all the new leaves – this was just after a tiny bit of rain we had this week. Funny, the two Leopard Trees are about 2 weeks apart in “age” the one tree is shooting new leaves and the other not yet a flower…so I am waiting for that one to bloom. I guess the one in the Grass Patch gets a wee bit more attention. And I have dedicated this tree to my late mother and she does love to dress up!

[one_half]All these new leaves shooting out[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The one in the grass patch gets more water[/one_half_last]

Brand new leaves only 1 week old.

[one_half]Difficult to capture true essence of the tree[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Full of new leaves and a few flowers[/one_half_last]

Now you know why I am so fond of these trees. The best part is their bark so the next post I do I will focus on this.

Happy gardening xxxx

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Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Trees

The big Leopard Tree planting!

Bringing in the trees

Hi Chris, I know you are dying to see the beautiful trees I bought and that arrived this week! They are Leopard Trees or another name is Brazilian Ironwood (Caesalpinia Ferrea). They prefer full sun and are tender to frost. It is deciduous and waterwise (yeay!). One of the most attractive trees, its grey bark peels off to reveal dark brown underneath. Red foliage emerges in Spring which matures to fine, attractive, acacia-like green leaves which provide dappled shade. Bearing clusters of yellow flowers in summer.  They are also relatively fast growing. 

I totally LOVE my new trees!  So now you can see the whole sequence of events! Even the arduous digging. We have such hard clay soil that you need a buzzdozer or a pick axe and muscles like Schwazzenager to get through. It was so tough to do this, and I needed the help of my hubby but even this was not enough. We had to take days to add water to soften the area. It nearly didn’t happen when my hubby said, “That’s it – just add more water and make it a pond. Bring the koi!!!” But we managed – just, just! You will see – I’m smiling for the camera but I was just exhausted!! I could hardly believe that I had the endurance to keep going. We had to dig a hole 1.1m x 1.1m x .7m for a 250 litre tree which stood 3.5m high! I even surprized myself. I guess it is all the bending in the garden for 6 years! Builds a strong back!

Ok here are the photos! Enjoy!! xxxxxx

[one_half]Hard work this hole digging!The BIG hole[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Using a Koevoet to break the ground!Backbreaking![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Trees SA Arrive!Trees SA arrive as promised![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Bringing in the treesBring in the Trees![/one_half_last]

[one_half]My first tree!My first Tree![/one_half]

[one_half_last]My second Tree!My second Tree![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Adding the stakes!Adding the stakes![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Isn't she beautiful?She’s a beauty![/one_half_last]

I wish to say thank you to Trees SA for the great experience. The staff were on time, professional, speedy and efficient – as well as friendly. I highly recommend Trees SA! I’m going to post a special review for Trees SA so stay posted!

So Chris, so when are you coming to visit so we can have a “dop onder die bome”!! 🙂

Flickr Photo Gallery of the Big Leopard Tree Planting …