Polyalthia longifolia

[Peter]

I've heard recently that this tree might have a bit of cold tolerance. Is anyone out there growing it in less than zone10? Here's a photo from a nursery in Australia:

[Eric in Orlando]

They are hardy in zone 10 and probably the warmest parts of 9b, at least in FL.

We have one about 7ft tall and it has been thru low 30s with no damage. I found it at a local Home Depot a few years ago of all places.

[Peter]

Thanks Eric,

I was hoping you were growing it. What's the rate of growth? And I think I'd have a heart attack if I found that at my local HD.

[RedRabbit]

On 3/19/2009 at 6:07 PM, Peter said:

I've heard recently that this tree might have a bit of cold tolerance. Is anyone out there growing it in less than zone10? Here's a photo from a nursery in Australia:

 

On 3/20/2009 at 8:36 AM, Eric in Orlando said:

They are hardy in zone 10 and probably the warmest parts of 9b, at least in FL.

 

We have one about 7ft tall and it has been thru low 30s with no damage. I found it at a local Home Depot a few years ago of all places.

 

These seem to be hardy to at least 9b. 2-3 are in Carrollwood Village Park and took minimal damage after this winter’s freeze (guessing 27-28f with frost, fully exposed). Nearby foxtails took more damage so it seems reasonable to conclude they’re at least hardier than foxtails.

 

[Xenon]

Didn't seem bothered by a few freezes in the upper 20s over a 20 year span but 23F last year froze it to the ground. The coconut of course is gone. Brownsville, TX

 

[RedRabbit]

8 minutes ago, Xenon said:

Didn't seem bothered by a few freezes in the upper 20s over a 20 year span but 23F last year froze it to the ground. The coconut of course is gone. Brownsville, TX

 

That’s great info. You said they froze to the ground, but they survived that?

[richtrav]

I think they are, they froze to the ground in 2011 but came back, and most things that froze to the ground in 2011 are also coming back from 2021. Some of the oldest ones down here are at the Hudson House hotel on Ed Carey Street in Harlingen. They also had a very nice gooseberry tree (Phyllanthus emblica) and some Cordia myxa in the back parking lot which I know are coming back, they are a lot easier to see from the road.

[Merlyn]

@Xenon do you know if the Polyalthia grew back from the burn-to-the-ground at 23F?  I was thinking about this tree for my SW corner, but I had a 4-5 hour low of around 25-26F in that corner at the end of January.  Most years only hit 27-30F for one or two nights, so it seems they'd be only somewhat damaged at those temps.

[richtrav]

The ones in Harlingen that froze to the ground in 2011 froze to the ground again in 2021 but are coming back, they’ll be back to about half their original height in a few months. 25-26 could damage them if it lasts any time at all, in 2011 the minimum was only 28 but it was a very long freeze. 

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Good information.  These are in fact Polyalthia longifolia pendula.

 

 

With the regular species Polyalthia longifolia, holding it branches horizontally, it is not that noteworthy.