Pseudocydonia sinensis

Is anybody growing this? What can you tell me about it?

Scott

I've had one for about 20 years. It died back annually for the first 15 or so of those years, but lately it's showing signs of wanting to be top-hardy. The fruits are HUGE!

Guy S.

Have you gotten a look at the mottled bark yet? What form does it seem to want to take?

Scott

I've got several 2 or 3 yr seedlings, grown from seed a friend sent. Too young for the exfoliating bark, but foliage is glossy green, and they've had good red/orange fall color, even as small seedlings. All are still single-trunked specimens, but I've seen photos of multi-trunked specimens that look similar to a well-managed crepe myrtle.

I've got a few that are fully hardy here in WI. As you can see, the bark is incredible. OK, OK, I ran across these while visiting the Virginia Arb, which is just outside of Winchester. I think most of you have seen these pics before, but maybe worth a second look. Would like to see some more of my vacation photos? Perhaps pics of the kids when they were small? ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/maackia/Woody%20Stuff/Deciduous%20Trees/HPIM1475.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/maackia/Woody%20Stuff/Deciduous%20Trees/HPIM1473.jpg

Yes, I was being facetious. No Pseudocydonia's growing here...or probably anywhere in Wisconsin for that matter.

That is certainly beautiful bark. I just got one of these from Arborvillage. Supposedly these can grow to 10m! So these have nice flowers, interesting fruit, incredible bark, and good fall color, sounds like another great ornamental tree nobodies ever heard of!

Scott

Late to the party...take a look at disease resistance before investing your fortune. These are prime fireblight bait.

It's a great ornamental that is hard to keep alive/thrifty in the heat/humidity of the Ohio River valley.

Maackia, great picture of the bark - we're exhibiting at the arboretum this weekend and we'll have to look for this one!

Vladimir Veitchii,

Too late, I already blew $15.00 on one. Darn that fireblight! The zoo has one in surprisingly dense shade. It's small, and it's growing kind of funny because of the shade, but I've never noticed fireblight on it before. I'll have to keep an eye on it. If I cross paths with Steve Foltz, I'll have to ask him. In the meantime, my $15.00 is gone, but I haven't yet allocated prime garden space to it. Maybe I'll hold it in a container for a while and observe.

scott

Or send it to someone you'd like to torture.

The prettiest plants I've had the pleasure of perusing were at the National Arboretum (1988). Made me go out and buy half a dozen big ones for Gainesway Farm from Shadow Nursery (TN). Winter 1994 killed what fireblight had already diminished.

For $15, knock yourself out.

Oooh, that bad, huh?

Scott

This is exactly why I like these forums. I had Pseudocydonia sinensis on my list of trees I wanted to plant. It lost out to some conifers and a Parrotia Persica Vanessa. Nowhere did I read propensity for fire blight or not being fully hardy here. I guess it will be permanently deleted from my list.

Thanks,

The Rookie