Silk Tree {Albizia julibrissin} Exotic Ornamental | Bonsai | 30 Pre-Stratified seeds
The Silk Tree is a fast-growing, small to medium size, deciduous tree.
It typically is found along roadsides, grasslands, vacant lots,
clearings, or flood plain areas. The tree has a broad crown and may
have single or multiple trunks. Its height typically ranges from 10-50
feet and width spread 20-50 feet. In 2006 a Silk Tree was found that
measured 64 feet high and had a width spread of 80.4 feet. The tree
tolerates summer heat, and its flowers prefer full sun. The limbs of
the tree are weak and may be damaged by strong winds, snow, and ice.
It is a short-lived tree with an average life span is 30 years. The
leaves are fern-like in appearance and are very sensitive. The
leaflets will close when touched and at nighttime. It blooms from May
to July. The fragrant flowers appear to be pompom-like clusters of
silky pink threads and measure about 1.5 inches long. Bees,
butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to this flowering tree.
The fruits are flattened legumes and contain 5 to 16 seeds. The fruits
first appear in June and typically mature from August to September.
The seeds are easily dispersed by the wind, water, or by animals.