Polyscias murrayi - Pencil Cedar (forum)

Craig starts with ...
Polyscias murrayi - Pencil Cedar

Hi, I recently purchased 5 of the above trees as well as a great little Walking Stick Palm and was amazed at the speed in which I recieved the delivery. The next morning. I wanted these trees to replace the dreaded cocos palms. However I have since found out that these are not suitable for a suburban block and are quite weak stemmed and only last about seven years. Apparently there is another Bass Wood tree that grows to about 8 metres at a rate of 2 metres per year. Is this true and where can I find it?

Time: 27th June 2007 12:43am

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Kath says...
I had not heard of the pencil cedar as being weak stemmed but I guess they could be top heavy. They live for a lot longer than seven years and are beautiful trees, perfect for establishing a rainforest under. The bass wood is the same species and has a similar growth habit to the pencil cedar also called the celeywood or the silver bass wood is Polyscias elegans, or there is the northern relative Polyscias australiana - the ivory basswood, this is a smaller tree 3-8 meters, we have some of these in stock.

Time: 27th June 2007 2:16pm

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About the Author Kath
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Craig says...
Thanks Kath. How long do these last as I only have a small back yard and want to establish Balinese style garden but don't want the hassle of having to remove a massive or very tall tree in 10 years

Time: 29th June 2007 9:49pm

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Kath says...
Craig I am not exactly sure to be honest with you. They are all pioneer rainforest trees which means they will not live hundreds of years like a rosewood or a teak tree but they will live a lot longer than a wattle tree. The native tamarind Diploglottis australis is a good tree for urban backyards, it has the largest leaves of any of our native rainforest trees and grows in a similar fashion to the polyscias in that it makes a tall single trunk to canopy height before it branches. It makes an excellent urban tree as it can be cut off at ground level when it has reached the desired height and it will shoot again from the base, in this way it can be kept at a managable height and its dramatic foliage can be enjoyed. I think though by doing this it will not grow large enough to produce its delicious tart fruit.

Time: 3rd July 2007 1:37pm

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About the Author Kath
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