Ceiba is a principally tropical genus of around 20 large trees. Most occur in rainforests and sport the magnificent buttress roots rainforest trees are known for. The most famous species, C. pentandra is known as the kapok tree, and was the subject of one of my favorite childhood books. Its cotton-like fluff was an important commodity during World War II due to its use in life-preservers, and is still used to stuff various products today.
Despite its importance worldwide, the kapok tree, along with most of its tropical relatives, are not cold-hardy enough to grow in Northern California, though I've heard there may be a few sickly specimens in Southern California.
Luckily, a few species have a more subtropical distribution, and can be grown in Sacramento. The hardiest species to my knowledge, and the only one I've seen locally, is C. speciosa, the silk floss tree. Formerly known as Chorisia speciosa, it was moved into the genus Ceiba for reasons that are probably not relevant to this guide. Because the horticulture industry hates changing names, you will still find it under the old name most of the time.
Almost everything about this tree is eye-catching. When young, the bark is bright green, and usually covered in thick, conical spikes that resemble barnacles or tiny volcanoes. The flowers are bright pink and delicate, with an undulating margin that grants it an exotic appearance. With age, the trunk can become swollen, likely a strategy to store water.
This tree seems to be hardy enough for our area, having reportedly survived lows of 18 degrees. For some reason, I have only seen a few and none look to be thriving. The tree is quite drought tolerant, so our dry weather should not be a problem. It is said to prefer well-draining soil so it's possible our wet winter clay is the issue. Planting a few in areas with sandier soil would definitely be a good test.
C. insignis, the white silk floss tree, is another species that is supposedly hardy enough to grow here, though I'm not sure I've ever seen one.
In any case, this a beautiful and interesting genus, certainly worth trialing for those who don't mind a slight chance of failure and where the thorns won't upset anyone.
Despite its importance worldwide, the kapok tree, along with most of its tropical relatives, are not cold-hardy enough to grow in Northern California, though I've heard there may be a few sickly specimens in Southern California.
Luckily, a few species have a more subtropical distribution, and can be grown in Sacramento. The hardiest species to my knowledge, and the only one I've seen locally, is C. speciosa, the silk floss tree. Formerly known as Chorisia speciosa, it was moved into the genus Ceiba for reasons that are probably not relevant to this guide. Because the horticulture industry hates changing names, you will still find it under the old name most of the time.
Almost everything about this tree is eye-catching. When young, the bark is bright green, and usually covered in thick, conical spikes that resemble barnacles or tiny volcanoes. The flowers are bright pink and delicate, with an undulating margin that grants it an exotic appearance. With age, the trunk can become swollen, likely a strategy to store water.
This tree seems to be hardy enough for our area, having reportedly survived lows of 18 degrees. For some reason, I have only seen a few and none look to be thriving. The tree is quite drought tolerant, so our dry weather should not be a problem. It is said to prefer well-draining soil so it's possible our wet winter clay is the issue. Planting a few in areas with sandier soil would definitely be a good test.
C. insignis, the white silk floss tree, is another species that is supposedly hardy enough to grow here, though I'm not sure I've ever seen one.
In any case, this a beautiful and interesting genus, certainly worth trialing for those who don't mind a slight chance of failure and where the thorns won't upset anyone.