Brachychiton rupestris (Queensland Bottle Tree)

Named for its unusual trunk, Brachychiton rupestris (Queensland Bottle Tree) is a picturesque tree with a heavily swollen trunk resembling a rounded bottle. Narrow and straight in youth, the trunk becomes bottle shaped with age as it stores water. It can reach 3 to 10 ft. in diameter (1-3 m) at breast height. The formation of the unique bottle shape is not visible until the tree is about 5 to 8 years old. Trees in their native habitat are typically leafless between September and December, dropping their leaves before the flowering period. The canopy will also thin out during a drought. The leaves are small narrow-dissected palmate on young specimens, broadening and turning simple on mature trees. Panicles of 10–30 creamy-yellow flowers with red markings appear from September to November in the tree’s native range. They give way to woody boat-shaped follicles containing 4 to 12 seeds covered by a hairy coating. Noted for its ornamental features, Queensland Bottle Tree also provides wind protection and shade. Hardy to 15-20°F (-6 to -9°C), the tree can tolerate a variety of climates and soil types. Native to Australia, Queensland Bottle Tree is a striking and adaptable tree, worth considering in the larger landscape.

• Grows up to 20-40 ft. tall (6-12 m) and 20-30 ft. wide (6-9 m).
• Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun with moderate to little irrigation. Drought tolerant.
• Feed the trees once a year with balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in the spring.
• No serious disease or pest issues.
• Propagate by seed. Wear gloves when collecting the seed as the exterior of the seeds have irritating hairs. When grown from seed, the tree may take up to 20 years to flower.
• Mature specimens transplant easily, and can withstand intervals of up to 3 months between digging and replanting without suffering.
• Native to Queensland, Australia.