Morning Raindrops

Morning Raindrops

Photo taken of the tree in my front garden/yard Gold Coast 2008

Pride of Bolivia, Tipuana tipu is a fast growing, winter deciduous shade tree. The winged seeds look like they might belong to the maple family, but the pinnate foliage gives away its true allegiance – it’s a legume. The seeds are produced abundantly and will produce almost 100 per cent germination. That’s the final hint about the true nature of Tipuana. They have only been widely available in Australia since the 1970s and already they’re regarded as a weed of national significance.

The long arching growth shows just how fast this tree can grow in a single season. Given access to good water, the trees will reach 30 metres, and the avenue of trees that Gardening Australia filmed in Brisbane is no more than 10 or 15 years old.

It’s rare that you get a chance to talk about a tree that can be grown pretty much anywhere across Australia. This tree is certainly adaptable. It can tolerate saline soils, is tolerant of frost once it’s established, and temperatures of minus 4 are no problem at all. These trees cope with drought and are adaptable to different seasons. The roots will search out water wherever they can find it, so it’s an aggressive rooting tree. Watch if you’ve got leaky taps or sewage lines, the Tipuana will tap into them. So don’t plant them. But if you have got one already, they make extremely good timber. Australia is better off without the Tipuana tipu.

Morning Raindrops belongs to the following groups:

Yellow Gallery, All About Flowers, All Around the Styles, Beige is death!, Blooming Trees - 2 per day, Fabulous Flowers, First Things, Rain Drops & Water Art - Fresh Water Only! and Who are YOU to Judge? Available for sale as

Greeting Cards and Matted Prints