Introduction

Tall stewartia grows 20 to 25 feet in height in as many years though it has been known to reach 80 feet, its young pyramidal crown maturing into an open, multi-trunked form with somewhat horizontal branches. The 1.5- to 2.5-inch-long dark green leaves cast light shade below this deciduous tree, and cling well into the fall after changing to an attractive deep red. In June the small, white, cupped flowers appear, opening over a four-week period but are not particularly striking. The smooth cinnamon-brown bark is outstanding and help to make tall stewartia quite striking in the winter landscape.

General Information

Scientific name: Stewartia monadelpha

Pronunciation: stoo-AR-tee-uh mawn-uh-DELL-fuh

Common name(s): Tall stewartia

Family: Theaceae

USDA hardiness zones: 6B through 8B (Fig. 2)

Origin: not native to North America

Invasive potential: little invasive potential

Uses: specimen; deck or patio; street without sidewalk; container or planter; espalier; parking lot island 100-200 sq ft; parking lot island > 200 sq ft; sidewalk cutout (tree pit); tree lawn 3-4 feet wide; tree lawn 4-6 feet wide; tree lawn > 6 ft wide; highway median

Availability: not native to North America

Description

Height: 20 to 25 feet

Spread: 15 to 25 feet

Crown uniformity: symmetrical

Crown shape: pyramidal, vase

Crown density: open

Growth rate: slow

Texture: medium

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: serrate

Leaf shape: ovate, elliptic (oval)

Leaf venation: pinnate, brachidodrome

Leaf type and persistence: deciduous

Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches, 2 to 4 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: red

Fall characteristic: showy

Flower

Flower color: white/cream/gray

Flower characteristics: showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: oval, round

Fruit length: .5 to 1 inch

Fruit covering: dry or hard

Fruit color: unknown

Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; not showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches don't droop; very showy; can be trained to one trunk; thorns

Pruning requirement: little required

Breakage: resistant

Current year twig color: green, gray

Current year twig thickness: thin

Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun, partial sun, or partial shade

Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; well-drained

Drought tolerance: high

Aerosol salt tolerance: unknown

Other

Roots: not a problem

Winter interest: yes

Outstanding tree: yes

Ozone sensitivity: unknown

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: unknown

Pest resistance: free of serious pests and diseases

Use and Management

This tree can be used in much the same way as Japanese stewartia. It is unsurpassed as a specimen, but can also be included in a shrub border, planted near a patio or deck to show off the wonderful bark, or used as a multi-trunked street tree planted on 20-foot centers. Set it off as a specimen by placing it in a bed of low, evergreen ground cover.

Best when grown in partial shade in USDA hardiness zone 8b, tall stewartia can tolerate a full sun position if its roots can be shaded by ground cover, mulch or shrubbery. This may be the best Stewartia species for the deep south. Stewartia monadelpha is a native species well-suited for the deep south. Well-drained, acid to neutral soil is best.

Propagation is by seed or cuttings.

Pests and Diseases

No pests or diseases of major concern, and this tree should be grown and planted more often.