Wheel Tree Trochodendron aralioides
- Phonetic Spelling
- tro-koh-DEN-dron a-ray-lee-OH-id-eez
- Description
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Trochodendron aralioide or Wheel Tree is an evergreen tree or shrub from Asia and the only surviving species in the genus. It grows 10-20 feet tall and wide and taller if pruned as a tree. In its native habitat it can grow to a height of up to 60 feet with a trunk diameter of up to 16 feet. In cultivation, its size will be much smaller, especially in cool climates. It will grow in full sun in a variety of soil types, however will preform at its best when grown in a loam based soil in dappled shade.
Its name is derived from Greek words, trochos means wheel, while dendron mean tree. When it is flowering, numerous stamens spread out like spokes in a wheel.
In the wild, it can begin life as a growth on the trunk of a Japanese cedar and grow in a shrubby form for several years.
The leathery glossy leaves are in whorls around the terminal bud giving it an umbrella-like appearance. Spring flowers are greenish star-shaped flowers in clusters. The growth rate is slow.
It will grow in full sun but does best with some afternoon shade or even dappled shade. Grow in moist fertile well-drained loams and give it protection from winds. It will tolerate some flooding but not drought.
Wheel Tree may be difficult to find for sale but could be used as a specimen shrub, understory tree or a tree for light shade.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease issues. Protect from strong winds. Once it is established, it is quite difficult to relocate. Many years may pass before flowering takes place.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Trochodendron
- Species:
- aralioides
- Family:
- Trochodendraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan, Korea, Taiwan
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Horizontal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Follicle
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a woody star-shaped capsule composed of 4-11 follicles up to 3/4". Seeds will form after the flowers have bloomed.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The small flowers have no petals or sepals. Separate male and female flowers. Male flowers are purple and female greenish flowers on erect racemes up to 5" in late spring with follicles in clusters. Each raceme can contain 10 to 20 flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Textured leaves are up to 6 inches long and 2 to 2-3/4 inches wide, ovate to elliptical with crenate margins. They are leathery and glossy and grow in clusters or whorls around the terminal bud with much of the branch bare. Dark green leaves with paler undersides. Fall color can be bronze with reddish highlights.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Bark Description:
- The aromatic bark lacks vessels, looking more like a conifer than a broadleaf tree.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Understory Tree
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil