Beautiful blooms are what many people adore about the jacaranda tree.
With its delicate fern-like leaves and showy lavender blossoms, the jacaranda tree (Jacaranda mimosifolia) is a favorite decorative tree for areas with warm climates. Although resistant to many diseases and tolerant of dry conditions, the jacaranda tree does present some problems. Identifying these problems and taking care of them quickly will keep your tree healthy and your neighbors happy. Does this Spark an idea?
Flowers
While the flowers of a jacaranda tree are one of the tree's best features, these lavender blooms eventually fall off the tree. Not only are they messy to clean up, but the decaying flowers can stain wooden decks, concrete patios and a car's finish. Even if you don't mind the mess, your neighbor may expect you to pay for damages if his car needs to be re-finished because of your jacaranda. The flowers also create a slippery coating on sidewalks so they should be cleaned up regularly to prevent injury.
Size
That little sapling you purchased from the nursery will grow into a 30-foot tall tree with a 30-foot wide canopy. When planting your tree, make sure their is ample space for it to grow. Avoid planting the tree too close to your property line. The tree could overhang into a neighbor's yard or could damage privacy fences.
Pruning
Your jacaranda needs to be pruned regularly to clear out suckers and weak branches. Small sprouts that grow vertically from the branches should be removed as should any branches that grow larger than half the diameter of the trunk. As with other trees and shrubs, remove any dead or damaged limbs and any limbs that cross other limbs. This ensures healthy growth and good air flow. In windy conditions, a properly pruned jacaranda will be less likely to split.
Roots and Bark
The roots of young jacaranda are shallow. If a heavy wind storm hits, the tree could be uprooted. Even mature jacaranda don't have deep roots and these roots can push up sidewalks or lawns. The bark of jacaranda tress is quite thin. When working around the tree with power tools or lawn mowers, extra caution must be taken to avoid damaging the bark.
Watering
Although your jacaranda can tolerate hot and dry conditions, it is a tropical species that has shallow roots and therefore requires some water during the summer. During lengthy dry periods, give the trees roots a good soak once every one or two weeks. The tree should not need to be watered during winter.
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