Ironwood tree ∗ The 10 best care and planting tips (Parrotia)

origin

Parrotia persica describes the Ironwood treealso known as parrotia. Its natural home is in the Middle East, where it prefers to grow in low-lying forests with moist conditions. The suffix persica indicates its distribution area in Persia, which corresponds to today's Iran. Here the tree grows in the northern part. Other areas exist southwest of the Caspian Sea. The ironwood tree is the only species within the genus Parrotia that belongs to the witch hazel family.

In Europe, the wood is a popular ornamental plant in public parks. It was here that its triumphal march began in 1846. The parrotia, named after the German doctor Friedrich W. Parrot was named.

growth

The ironwood tree grows mostly shrub-like with several trunks. Some specimens develop a main stem that branches close to the ground and develops a crown. Tree-shaped parrotia are remarkably low. The species develops a root system that creeps shallowly under the surface of the earth.

As a summer green wood, the parrotia sheds its leaves in autumn. The wood has reached a low annual growth after many years of growth heights between ten and twelve meters. Due to the slow growth, a very hard and dense wood structure develops, which makes the wood a valuable building material.

The very smooth bark, which is olive green in color, is typical of the woody plants. In winter the bark becomes increasingly cracked and flakes off in small scales. This creates different colored sections, which, like the plane trees, are distributed over the trunk like a puzzle. The young twigs have bark covered with star hair. They strive upwards in an arch so that the crown usually appears funnel-shaped. With increasing age, it develops a broad, expansive shape.

blossom

Parrotia bloom before the leaves appear. Eight to ten individual flowers crowd together in a terminal inflorescence that appears like a head. The inflorescences are surrounded by dark brown bracts. The flowers can be hermaphroditic or purely masculine.

They have no strikingly colored petals and between five and seven inconspicuous sepals. These are colored green and taper to a brownish tip. The red anthers hanging down from long stamens are striking. The flowering period of the ironwood trees begins in January, when the winter was particularly mild. The flowers show up by March at the latest.

What makes the flowers so unique:

• Adaptation to wind pollination
• do not develop nectar
• Trees save energy by not developing petals

fruit

After the flowering period, inconspicuous capsule fruits emerge on the hermaphrodite flowers. They can develop two to four valves that contain numerous shiny light brown seeds. The fruits open up explosively along pre-formed structures and eject the elongated to elliptical seeds, which spread with the wind and rain.

leaves

Ironwood trees develop alternate leaves, the leaf blades of which are obovate. Their shape appears slightly asymmetrical. Above the middle of the leaf, the edge is covered with curved teeth. The leaf base is rounded or slightly heart-shaped. The short-stalked leaves grow between six and ten centimeters long and are hairy on the top and bottom.

From a distance the leaves are reminiscent of the foliage of the European beech. When they sprout fresh, they have a reddish tint. The leaves turn dark green with age. Ironwood trees are attractive because of their aesthetic autumn color. Shortly before winter, the trees shine in bright yellow and orange tones with reddish nuances or in bordeaux red.

use

The crown of the ironwood trees appears ornamental and expansive. Because of this growth form, the parrotia is perfect for standing alone in parks and gardens. The species is well suited for medium-sized gardens as it grows slowly and does not take up too much space. In old age the tree grows to the size of a large pear tree.

As High trunk Cultivated specimens are popular avenue trees on streets and park paths. Its popularity was due to its attractive autumn color. In New Zealand, the flowering season moves to December. Here the inflorescences are a popular Christmas decoration.

bonsai

Parrotia are suitable as bonsai. They are shaped by cutting measures and can be brought into various shapes. The style of the freely upright tree shape is preferred. To do this, you have to prune the tree regularly in the first few years. The ironwood tree tolerates radical pruning. You can remove all side branches from the main stem except for one leafy shoot. After a year, many side shoots have formed on the main trunk, which can then be further shaped.

Tips for designing an ironwood tree bonsai:

• fresh shoots should be wired
• Once the desired shape has been achieved, the bonsai is planted in a bowl
• Put bonsai outdoors in summer

Is ironwood tree poisonous?

Parrotia persica is considered non-toxic. There are no known symptoms of intoxication. You can safely plant the tree in gardens where there are children or pets.

Which location is suitable?

The adaptable ironwood tree can cope with different types of soil. It grows in both moderately dry and moist locations. The species tolerates heat waves. The autumn colors shine particularly intensely in fully sunny locations. You can also plant the parrotia in partially shaded places. Locations exposed to the wind cause problems for the wood.

What soil does the plant need?

The parrotia prefers a weakly acidic one Clay soil with a permeable structure. Prevent waterlogging in the earth, as the excessive moisture promotes rot processes in the root area. Heavy clay soils should be loosened up with sand. A humus-rich substrate provides ideal growth conditions. The pH of the soil is a maximum of 7. If your soil has a higher value, you should work special fertilizers or peat into the substrate.

Multiplication

An easy method of propagation is the lowering of shoots growing close to the ground. Bend the twigs to the ground and scratch the upper part of the shoot crosswise. The branch is fixed to the ground at this point with a stone so that the incised surface has permanent contact with the substrate. The point protrudes from under the stone.

The formation of roots requires patience. After two years, the shoot has developed enough roots so that it can be separated from the mother plant. Plant the sinker in the desired location.

sowing

You can cut off the fruit clusters before the capsule fruits have cracked. Store the shoots in a tall container and place it in a warm and sunny place. Here the fruits continue to ripen until the capsules pop open and the seeds are released.

Sprinkle the seeds on a damp one Growing substrate(€ 12.99 at Amazon *) and cover the jar with a transparent film. The seeds germinate under optimal conditions after three weeks at the earliest and eight weeks at the latest. It can take up to ten years for the plants propagated by seedlings to flower for the first time. The autumn color of these plants can be very different. Note that this method of propagation does not produce true offspring. The young plants develop other combinations of the traits inherited from their parent plants.

Cuttings

Cut off shoots between six and eight inches just below a leaf knot. The lower half of the cutting is defoliated. Dip the interface in a bowl of willow water. The growth hormones from the willow branches stimulate the formation of roots.

How to make willow water:

• Cut annual shoots into small pieces
• Place the leaves and shoot pieces in a large bowl
• Pour boiling water over them
• Let it draw covered for 24 hours

The cuttings are placed in a growing container with a sand-peat mixture. Moisten the substrate and place a glass over the planter. You can also put the pots in a greenhouse that is in a bright spot with temperatures between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius. It takes between two and four weeks for the cuttings to form their first roots.

Ironwood tree in a pot

Due to the slow growth, young ironwood trees are suitable for container cultivation. Choose a large container with as wide a diameter as possible, as the trees have shallow roots in the substrate. A drainage hole in the pot ensures that the water drains off. Pour excess water off the coaster so that the moisture does not build up in the substrate. A mixture of loamy earth and sand is suitable as a substrate. If the plants get too small for the container, they should be planted in the garden.

balcony

As a young plant in a pot, the ironwood tree spends the year outdoors. As a container plant, it beautifies sunny balconies and terraces that offer a sheltered location. In winter you can leave the tree outside. Make sure you have appropriate winter protection for the bucket. So that the root ball does not freeze, you should wrap the pot generously with plastic wrap and place it on a Styrofoam plate(€ 47.69 at Amazon *) or put a piece of wood.

Watering the ironwood tree

Ironwood trees have a moderate need for water. They only need to be watered during prolonged periods of drought. If you cultivate your plant in the tub, ironwood trees enjoy regular watering

Fertilize the ironwood tree properly

In the spring, give the plant a fertilizer with compost that you work into the soil. An additional supply of nutrients is not necessary for outdoor trees. Potted plants should be given a mineral fertilizer every four weeks. The supply takes place until September. Then the wood goes into hibernation and does not need any further fertilization until spring.

Properly cut ironwood tree

The protruding crown of the parrotia rarely needs to be cut back if a few branches disturb the picture. Choose a cool day between March and April after the flowers have wilted. Use a sharp one for the cut Secateurswhose blades have been thoroughly cleaned.

In order to avoid unsightly cuts and stumps, you should proceed with the pruning measures with caution. Avoid radical cutting back into the old wood. The tree sprouts even after radical pruning. However, this measure destroys the aesthetic form.
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Overwinter

Adult specimens that are well rooted can tolerate temperatures down to -20 degrees Celsius. Additional protective measures are recommended in particularly harsh winter months. Wrap the trunk and crown with mats made of reed or jute ribbon. They act as an insulating layer from the freezing cold. Cover the root area with Coconut mats(€ 14.23 at Amazon *) and spread leaves and brushwood on the mat.

Young plants need winter protection in the first few years even at lower minus temperatures. Do not use nitrogenous fertilizers from July, as these prevent the wood from ripening and the branches are susceptible to frost damage.

How do I transplant properly?

You should already pay attention to the height of the parrotia when planting, because it is difficult to transplant mature trees later. With this measure, the shallow root loses numerous roots and can no longer adequately supply the mighty crown at the new location. Overly damaged trees often die after being transplanted.

Pests

The black weevil occasionally attacks ironwood trees. The pest feeds on the leaf mass and lays its eggs on the substrate. The larvae damage the fine roots. Nematodes, which are administered via the irrigation water, fight the larvae. Beetles should be collected regularly at dusk. A nematode trap has proven itself for pest control.

Fungal attack

If dry leaves cannot be traced back to incorrect care measures or suboptimal site conditions, a settlement of spores can be the cause.

Verticillium wilt

Wilting leaves indicate an infestation by Verticillium fungi, which is causing young trees to die. Older trees can often fight the fungal disease on their own. It is not uncommon for chronic infections to occur afterwards, in which shoots die off. Generously remove infected parts of the plant and dispose of them with household waste.

Phytophthora

The fungi within this genus are responsible for root rot. If the disease has spread, the tree can die. Waterlogging promotes the spread of spores. The fungal infestation cannot be actively combated. Infested trees should be removed to prevent the spores from spreading further.

sorts

• Vanessa: Splendid autumn colors with yellow, orange, red, pink and purple hues. Yellow capitula with red stamens. Height between eight and twelve meters.
• Persian Spire: Narrow stature, aspiring. Shoots purple, leaves dark green with a purple edge in summer. Yellow, orange and purple in autumn. Growth height up to 250 centimeters.
• Bella: Leaves shoot wine-red, leaves green, turning deep red in autumn. Grows between eight and ten feet tall.