Landscape March 2014 L-32

Expanding Tree Diversity in Hawai‘i’s Landscapes: Hispaniolan Rosy Trumpet Tree, Tabebuia berteroi

Richard Criley Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences

he Hispaniolan rosy trumpet tree is native to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, where it grows in aT variety of habitats. It reaches a height of 35+ feet with a columnar shape, reaching about 20 feet in canopy dia- meter at maturity. It is moderate in its growth rate and produces a dense, dark green crown.

Recommended Use in Landscapes • Shade tree • Narrow planting strips • Street tree • Residences

Distribution • Native to low-elevation (1100–1500 m broad-leaf forests on the island of Hispaniola (Haiti, Santo Domingo)

Propagation Techniques • Seed is short-lived; sow with shallow covering; rapid germination • Cuttings: matured terminal with 2500–3000 ppm rooting hormone • Root suckers: handle as with cuttings • Air-layering: choose upright, matured basal shoots

Cultural Requirements and Tolerance • Full to partial sun • Establishes well with well-drained, loose soils; toler- ates heavy soils • Prune to shape; remove narrow crotch branches

Published by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in co- operation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the Director/Dean, Cooperative Extension Service/CTAHR, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96822. Copyright 2011, University of Hawai‘i. For reproduction and use permission, contact the CTAHR Office of Communication Services, [email protected], 808-956-7036. The university is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution providing programs and services to the people of Hawai‘i without regard to race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual orientation, or status as a covered veteran. Find CTAHR publications at www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/freepubs. UH–CTAHR Expanding Tree Diversity in Hawai‘i’s Landscapes: Hispaniolan Rosy Trumpet Tree L-32 — Mar. 2014

Flower and Fruit Characteristics Disadvantages for Use in Landscapes • Flowers about 1 to 1¼ inches across by 1½ to 2 inches • Narrow branch crotch angles can split in strong winds. long • Some surface roots, but not aggressive • Pale magenta to white • Some twig dieback can be unsightly. • Few flowers per cluster • Fruit: narrow pod 3 to 6 inches long, covered with scaly hairs

Leaf Characteristics • Compound leaf with 3 to 5 leaflets • Leaflets to about 2½ inches long, smaller than the more common pink tecoma (T. heterophylla) • Upper surface: dull, dark green, leathery • Lower surface: whitish with many scales • Evergreen

Advantages for Use in Landscapes • In flower throughout the year • Not too messy in terms of leaf and fruit shedding • Compact habit • Few pests • HPWRA: -4

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