Woody > Trochodendron > Trochodendron aralioides > Trochodendron aralioides
Trochodendron aralioides
Wheel Tree
Origin: Trochodendron aralioides is found in Japan, Kyushu, Shikoku, Ryukyu Island, and Taiwan.
Mike's
Opinion
"
A tree that will provide year-round interest. This specimen produces intriguing, bright green flowers in the spring and summer months; however, its beautiful autumn colour and interesting leaf arrangement provides it with beauty when winter arrives. This low maintenance evergreen thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade and is relatively hardy when it comes to soil types.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Tochodenreaceae |
| Genus |
| Trochodendron |
| Species |
| aralioides |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 6b - 9a |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 6a - 8a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H4 - H6 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| (-21) - (-4) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| (-5) - 25 |
| Height |
| 3 - 6 m |
| Spread |
| 3 - 4.5 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| A wide spreading tree or shrub with smooth brown bark and beautiful, rich, green foliage that is arranged in a whorl pattern. |
| Landscape |
| Trochodendron aralioides is quite low maintenance in the garden and can be used as an accent tree but can also withstand container planting. This tree also provides habitat and food for certain insects and animals, and if pruned properly can be used as a garden screen. |
| Cultivation |
| This tree requires a soil pH of 7 - 12 and prefers moist well-drained soils. It will thrive in full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. Trochodendron aralioides requires protection from extreme cold temperatures and drying winds. |
| Shape |
| Trochodendron aralioides begins as a fairly round shrub and matures into a pyramidal, irregularly shaped tree. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| Lanceolate shaped leaves arranged in a compound, whorled position. Trochodendron aralioides produce bright green flowers that resemble a clownfish anemone. |
| Pests |
| Trochodendron aralioides are relatively pest free, however it may be affected by aphids and scale. |
| Habitat |
| Trochodendron aralioides is commonly found in humid, mid-altitude forests of Central Taiwan and lowlands of Northern Taiwan. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Smooth, beige-brown bark with little to no texture. The bark on this tree lacks vessels, causing its appearance to resemble a conifer rather than a broadleaf. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Flower buds appear waxy, scaly, and grow in a terminal position. They have a navette shape and are 2.5 cm in length and width. Trochodendron aralioides have flower buds that exhibit deep purple tips and a light pink base. |
| Leaf Description |
| The leaves exhibit a compound and whorled arrangement, characterized by a lancelot shaped leaf measuring up to 15 cm in length. They have a serrated leaf margin and show pinnate venation. These leaves will hold a beautiful, rich, green colour up until the autumn season where they will display an array of deep reds and purple tones. The leaves are positioned close to the terminal bud, leaving most of the branch exposed. |
| Flower Description |
| Trochodendron aralioides produce apetalous, bisexual flowers that grow to be 1.9 cm wide. These flowers exhibit a bright green-yellow colour and bloom as erect racemes that grow to be 12.7 cm tall. Each racemen contains 10 - 20 flowers that will later produce pale green seed capsules. Trochodendron aralioides will begin to flower in late spring, usually between April and June. |
| Fruit Description |
| The fruit produced by Trochodendron aralioides is a woody, green, star shaped seed capsule. This capsule exhibits a bright green tone at the beginning of its life cycle but will mature into a light to dark brown colour. This fruit can grow to be 2.5 cm in size and will begin to form seeds after the flowers have bloomed. These seed capsules can be found near the terminal bud and can be used for plant propagation. |
| Colour Description |
| Bark is often a beige-brown colour throughout the lifespan of Trochodendron aralioides. The leaves can be identified by their rich green colour turning into a mix of deep reds and purples in the autumn months. The young seed pods will exhibit a light green tone before they reach full maturity where they fade to a light brown colour. The flowers will maintain their bright green tone throughout the growing season and the flower pod can be identified by its dark purple tips and light pink base. |
| Texture Description |
| Trochodendron aralioides is a fine textured plant. Their leaves are best described as feeling smooth or waxy. The bark will also remain fairly smooth throughout the lifespan of the tree. The texture of this tree stays the same throughout all growing seasons. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, Washington, United States of America. United States National Arboretum, Washington, D.C, United States of America. |
| Propagation |
| Trochodendron aralioides is fairly easy to propagate, either by seed or cuttings. Seed propagations need to be done by autumn and kept in a cold case until the next growing season. To propagate by seed you will first need to find a viable seed located in one of the seed pods. Once you have acquired this seed, simply place it in a pot and lightly cover with soil, ensure you keep it moist. Propagation by cutting needs to be done in the late months of summer. You will want to locate a semi-ripe cutting from the specimen and place it in a rooting hormone of choice. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| Today, Trochodendron aralioides can be used to help prevent corrosion of mild steel. In 2022 researchers collected samples of Trochodendron aralioides, washed them, dried them, and then turned them into a powder. This powder was then mixed with multiple acidic solutions to test its ability to inhibit corrosion. Researchers concluded that this compound can be used to inhibit mild steel corrosion. Some chose to practise medicine with the root bark of this tree which has been used to help treat Malaria, high blood pressure, and toothaches. |
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