This Kapok tree was planted four years ago. At that time, its thorns were pretty tiny. In my neck of the woods, Kapoks bloom in the August heat. It's one of the few blooming plants we have that time of year. I was hoping for blooms this year - but we are going to have to move this tree to another location so I guess I'll have to wait another year or two before I see those silky pink flowers. Ah, progress. As I've read about Kapok trees online, the one thing all the sites mention is its
smooth trunk! Only one site (
St. John USVI Beach Guide) mentioned thorns on the trunks and said that they drop off with age. I have watched one particular tree like this in Harlingen for 25 years and it still has thorns. With no leaves or flowers to flaunt right now, these thorns are the main event!
This pecan sits outside our farm office door. I just love the big flakey pieces of bark it has. Leaves or no leaves, it's a real beauty!
The bareness of crepe myrtles in winter just accentuates the beauty of its bark!
This Kapok tree was planted four years ago. At that time, its thorns were pretty tiny. In my neck of the woods, Kapoks bloom in the August heat. It's one of the few blooming plants we have that time of year. I was hoping for blooms this year - but we are going to have to move this tree to another location so I guess I'll have to wait another year or two before I see those silky pink flowers. Ah, progress. As I've read about Kapok trees online, the one thing all the sites mention is its smooth trunk! Only one site (St. John USVI Beach Guide) mentioned thorns on the trunks and said that they drop off with age. I have watched one particular tree like this in Harlingen for 25 years and it still has thorns. With no leaves or flowers to flaunt right now, these thorns are the main event!
This pecan sits outside our farm office door. I just love the big flakey pieces of bark it has. Leaves or no leaves, it's a real beauty!
The bareness of crepe myrtles in winter just accentuates the beauty of its bark! 
7 comments:
Hi,
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment - it made me find your blog! You have such a nice blog - I really enjoyed your post for GBBD - I'm amazed at the blooms you get in your part of the world. That bougainvillea is so beautiful with its different shades of colour!
Have a great day - I'll be back! /Katarina
Very interesting about the Kapok tree. I read another post by a blogger about the Kapok tree also and realized I know them by another name. I've known the Kapok as the Silk Floss Tree. There is a very old one at Botanical Gardens here and it too still has it's torns.
Great piece about your Kapok tree. My first thought was how the heck are you going to move that monster? The thorns on roses are bad enough but the thorns on your Kapok look like lethal weapons! Katy
It would be great if you could share with us the process.
I too think Crepe Myrtles have a fascinating bark and trunk character. There is so much beauty right now in the browns and muted colors of winter. Thanks for visiting my blog today.
Oh, I'm so envious that you have a Kapok tree. I'm visiting down here in Florida and saw my very first Kapok. It is listed as one of the top 5 most beautiful trees in the world. Lucky you.
Hi Mary Beth,
It's fun to see what you're growing in far South Texas -thanks for leaving a comment on my blog so I could find yours.
There's a guy in Central Austin who has a kapok tree growing so I've seen the thorny trunks, too - but not the flowers... I hope you get the blooms once your tree is settled in!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Loved all your comments about my Kapok Tree!
Vanillalotus - I have been told that cloth can be made from the Kapoks blooms - I guess that's why it's also called the Silk Floss Tree.
KT - We have found its new home - just about 30 feet away . . . I am a bit fearful that it won't survive the move, but it's worth trying! I'll be sure to post pictures
Carolyn & Annie - although I think the Kapok trunk is so very interesting and attractive, it's blooms are what I really love! Hope you get to see one blooming!
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