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Toona sinensis (Chinese Mahogany) - This deciduous tree is known for its vertical stems bearing pink, almost florescent, new growth. The 1-2 foot long leaves with pointed oblong leaflets emerge in many tones of red, in good years bright pink, and then turn to green with age. It typically grows 15-20 feet tall but often is cut to the ground to maintain an interesting and colorful lower planting. On older wood the spring-blooming white flowers hang on long clusters below the foliage but we have not seen this happen on our older specimen planting. Plant in full sun to light shade and water regularly to occasionally. This plant is best cut to the ground every few years or trim down alternate stems to maintain size within the garden. This plant spreads by rhizomes so be prepared to dig runners to prevent spread or plant inside a root barrier. This plant is native to eastern and southeastern Asia, from North Korea south through most of eastern, central and southwestern China to Nepal, northeastern India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and western Indonesia. The name for the genus comes from the Indian common name for the plant but it has long been known in the horticultural trade as Cedrela sinensis with common names Chinese Mahogany, Chinese Toon, or Red Toon. In China the young leaves and shoots are used as a vegetable called Hsiang Chun Ya (Xiang Chun Ya ) and it is also known there as a "tree vegetable". It is related to a South American tree, Cedrela fissilis which we continue to grow. Another familiar plant in the Meliaceae family ithat is grown in California is the Chinaberry Tree (Melia azadarach).
The information about Toona sinensis that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.
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