Introduction: Chorisia speciosa is a rounded, deciduous tree with widespreading
branches which are green when young and
covered with spines, often becoming grey and
sometimes losing their coarse, sharp spines.
Young trees can have a columnar or upright form.
The spiny trunk is unusually thick and remains green
even on older trees. Chorisia speciosa or Floss-Silk tree can reach 50 feet
in height with an equal or greater spread, and grows
rapidly the first few years, then more slowly.
Specifics: Scientific name: Chorisia speciosa
Pronunciation: koe-RIZZ-ee-uh spee-see-OH-suh
Common name(s): Floss-Silk Tree
Family: Bombacaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 9B through 11
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in the highway; shade tree; specimen; residential street tree
Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range
Pronunciation: koe-RIZZ-ee-uh spee-see-OH-suh
Common name(s): Floss-Silk Tree
Family: Bombacaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 9B through 11
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in the highway; shade tree; specimen; residential street tree
Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range
Description: Height: 35 to 50 feet
Spread: 40 to 55 feet
Crown uniformity: irregular outline or silhouette
Crown shape: round; pyramidal; upright
Crown density: moderate
Growth rate: fast
Texture: coarse
Spread: 40 to 55 feet
Crown uniformity: irregular outline or silhouette
Crown shape: round; pyramidal; upright
Crown density: moderate
Growth rate: fast
Texture: coarse
Foliage: Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: palmately compound
Leaflet margin: serrate
Leaflet shape: elliptic (oval)
Leaflet venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaflet blade length: 4 to 8 inches; 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall leaf characteristic: not showy
Leaf type: palmately compound
Leaflet margin: serrate
Leaflet shape: elliptic (oval)
Leaflet venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaflet blade length: 4 to 8 inches; 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall leaf characteristic: not showy
Trunk and Branches: Trunk/bark/branches: bark is thin and easily
damaged from mechanical impact; grow mostly upright
and will not droop; should be grown with a single
leader; thorns are present on the trunk or branches;
very showy trunk
Pruning requirement: requires pruning to develop strong structure
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: green
Current year twig thickness: medium
Pruning requirement: requires pruning to develop strong structure
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: green
Current year twig thickness: medium
Flower: Flower color: pink; white
Flower characteristics: fall flowering; very showy; winter flowering
The large, showy, pink and white, five-petaled flowers, which somewhat resemble narrow-petaled hibiscus, are produced in small clusters in fall and winter (usually October) when the tree is nearly bare. The fruits are large, eight-inch-long, pear-shaped, woody capsules, filled with silky, white, kapok-like floss and pea-like seeds.
Flower characteristics: fall flowering; very showy; winter flowering
The large, showy, pink and white, five-petaled flowers, which somewhat resemble narrow-petaled hibiscus, are produced in small clusters in fall and winter (usually October) when the tree is nearly bare. The fruits are large, eight-inch-long, pear-shaped, woody capsules, filled with silky, white, kapok-like floss and pea-like seeds.
Culture: Light requirement: tree grows in full sun
Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic; occasionally wet; alkaline; well-drained
Drought tolerance: high
Aerosol salt tolerance: low
Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic; occasionally wet; alkaline; well-drained
Drought tolerance: high
Aerosol salt tolerance: low
Pruning: Prune the tree to be sure that only one central
trunk develops when the tree is young. The central
leader becomes less vigorous in middle age, allowing
lateral limbs to develop into the main structure of the
tree producing a spreading form.
In Depth: An excellent specimen tree for parks, parking lots,
and other large landscapes, Floss-Silk tree is
spectacular when in bloom, producing an outstanding
show of flower color in the fall. Large roots often form at
the base of the trunk just beneath the soil, so be
careful not to plant the tree too close to sidewalks or
pavement. Fifteen feet from curbs, driveways and
sidewalks should be adequate.
Some Floss-Silk trees maintain a relatively narrow crown with one straight trunk while others are wide-spreading, particularly on older specimens. Floss from the seeds was used for stuffing pillows and thin strips of the bark have been used to make rope.
Some Floss-Silk trees maintain a relatively narrow crown with one straight trunk while others are wide-spreading, particularly on older specimens. Floss from the seeds was used for stuffing pillows and thin strips of the bark have been used to make rope.

