Forgotten Trees - Overlooked Species from Texas, Mexico, and Afghanistan

September 20, 2003

Ficus afghanista Fall is the time to plant woody plants in the South. The combination of cooler temperatures and moisture triggers young trees to grow new roots, whereas spring planting does not give most woody plants enough time to establish a root system before the onslaught of hot dry weather. This is particularly relevant in our part of the world because the combination of excessive summer heat and drought induces dormancy which is not unlike cold dormancy - the result of shorter days and cooling temperatures.

Ulmus crassifolia Since drought is always a possibility, and in Texas it is a constant reality, we decided to promote some of our favorite rain conservative trees. Our first tree, Ulmus crassifolia (shown at left), affectionately called ‘Cedar elm’ in the Texas Hill Country where I grew up, is the defiant custodian of dry river banks and open pastures. I consider it to be one of the most durable and fast growing trees for hot, dry areas. Its silhouette more closely resembles cumulous clouds on a spring day than the typical vase-shape associated with most elm species.

Also native to the Texas Hill Country and tough as nails is the Texas redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis). Everyone is familiar with the floral display of the redbud, but most do not know of the added beauty of the Texas variety. It is noteworthy because of the shiny black-green leaves whose heavy substance is a response to the drying winds that constantly march across our state. Its stouter form and richer colored flowers add to its distinction.

The droughts that have plagued our area over the years have underlined the importance of provenance. This is especially true when dealing with species that range over a wide area. For example, in the last few years many drought sensitive clones of Pinus taeda have perished. So when you buy your trees you should search out drought-tolerant strains, especially if your area is subject to climatic extremes. Otherwise in the future you will be paying an arborist to take down that tree leaning over your house. We are offering a strain of drought-resistant Loblolly pines from Central Texas as well as a limited number of grafted dwarf Loblolly pines. This dwarf form was promoted by JC Raulston about 15 years ago but was never made commercially available due to its difficulty to graft. It makes the most beautiful pine you have ever seen – dense and compact. While we grow most plants for their beauty, there are those that we love for the benefits that they offer as hosts. Help increase the dwindling spice bush swallow tail population by adding American spice bush Lindera benzoin to your woodland garden. Some plants are not only beautiful but useful too and this one meets that criterion. Make a difference – diversify!

Mexico has been a refuge for plants and animals that have fled from the glaciers. Once they receded however, the climate dried and only strategically positioned mountains and valleys remained suitable for the moisture loving plants that dominated at that time. Magnolia tamaulipana (shown above in the title of this article), an evergreen magnolia from northern Mexico that is closely related to Magnolia grandiflora is one of those remnant plants. We offered it 8 years ago and now have many customer accounts that can testify to its hardiness. It is differentiated by its narrow upright growth form and green-backed leaves. Check out more of these unusual trees and shrubs from Mexico, China and Texas. Just click the Browse Plants tab, and click on Trees and Shrubs. A whole new world will open up just with the click of a mouse!

The Exchange of Ideas and Seeds

New plants come to us in many ways. We risk our lives to collect and then still have to fight the red tape of an ever-expanding government in order to import them. Then there are those that we really love: the seeds (such as Ficus afghanistanica, shown at left) that arrive unannounced in the mail from a customer. We don’t care how or why they got here, we are just thankful for the opportunity to do as people have done for generations – share ideas and seeds.

Let’s briefly reflect on how plants have been introduced and what we see is an interesting pattern. It’s no coincidence that the swelling appreciation of Japanese art and culture after World War II was the result of middle-class Americans coming into contact with the people of Japan. We could also infer that the orchid boom after the Vietnam War was the result of those Americans serving in the armed forces seeing them growing in the jungles of Vietnam. When they returned home, they concentrated on earning a living and raising their families. Later with retirement ahead, many recalled the jewels they saw in the jungles and started growing orchids. With the intimate experience that comes from seeing a different place for an extended period of time comes the desire to bring some of those life experiences home. Such will also be the case with the current military engagement.

This summer we were given seeds of a tree that came from Iran. The packet was labeled Ficus sycomorus – a tree native to tropical Africa into the Middle East but it had proven cold hardy to 8 degrees above zero with no damage in the southeastern U.S. This was funny because gardening encyclopedias listed it as a tropical tree. This contradiction did not surprise me because most books on horticulture are recapitulations of European text – there everything could be listed as tropical. Time passed, and the seedling grew like weeds. Then we got a correspondence from our new friend in which he said that the tree was actually Ficus afghanistanica. The seeds had come from Northern Iran where it grew into a large tree. Northern Iran and Afghanistan get cold which explains its hardiness. He also confirmed that the fruits are edible, tasting like figs.

What other new plants await their arrival into U.S. horticulture? Mark my words and watch where the plants are coming from!

As always keep growing,

Carl Schoenfeld, Owner, Yucca Do Nursery