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Ant tree (Triplaris americana)
This fast growing big leaf tree is nature's symbiotic tree. Its common name is Ant Tree because ants live in the hollows of the branches and will defend the tree against grubs and other leaf eating pests and tree borers.
This tree grows extremely fast in soggy ground and will grow well in wet clayish soil.
The brilliant red flowers blossom profusely in winter without shedding any leaves. Therefore, this tree gives lots of shade in winter and summer. Good as a wind breaker against winter colds and the strong Westerlies.
The dull male flowers are nothing more than 6cm long brown dead–like twigs. So to avoid the disappointment of growing a seedling and after five years, discovering you have a male tree, get a grafted female tree. This will blossom around two and a half years.
Scientific Name
Triplaris americana L.
Common Names
ant tree, ant-tree, long John, long Jack, triplaris
Family
Polygonaceae
Origin
Native to Central America (i.e. Panama) and tropical South America (i.e. French Guiana, Guyana, Surinam, Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru).
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