By all accounts, the sausage tree is perhaps one of the most
unusual large trees in our area. There are not too many in Charlotte
County to begin with which is understandable in light of its large size and
gigantic dangling sausage-shaped fruit. You may have seen at least one in
Punta Gorda, and I saw one in Naples the other day which spurred my interest in
writing this article. Is there a sausage tree in your neighborhood?
The sausage tree is originally from tropical Africa where it
is widely used as a food source by many animals including giraffes, monkeys,
hippos, and bush pigs. Bats and nocturnal insect pollinators visit the
large flowers at night and large bees use them by day. Certain birds also
eat the seeds, and the leaves are fed on by elephants and certain
antelopes. Keep in mind however, that the fruit is toxic to humans.
The tree is highly ornamental and has been grown around the world in tropical
regions. With grey, smooth to peeling bark and pinnate evergreen leaves,
the sausage tree is a specimen worthy of a botanical garden collection.
The flowers are also very ornamental as they hang in clustered panicles.
These flowers, bell-like in shape, are reddish in color and over three
inches wide. It is the fruit of course that makes a sausage tree, a
sausage tree. Described as a “woody berry”, these sausage-like, over
two-foot long and fifteen pound fruits remind me of gigantic corn-dogs hanging
from long, stout stems. Unfortunately, the falling fruit is a hazard and
can drop on people and cars causing damage, so select your tree site carefully!
This large tree can grow upwards to fifty feet tall and wide
and is best grown in a hardiness zone of at least 10a unless you have
identified a warm micro-climate. Not a tree that would fit a normal
residential lot, consider this woody ornamental for more expansive sites with
plenty of room to grow this exceedingly unique tree. Maybe the sausage tree
is not your cup of tea, but it is still fascinating and a conversation
piece. So, perhaps just plan to visit your closest sausage tree in a
neighborhood near you! For more information on all types of exotic
ornamental trees, please call our Master Gardener volunteers on the Plant
Lifeline on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for
gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer.
Don't forget to visit our other County Plant Clinics in the area. Please
check this link for a complete list of site locations, dates and times - http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/Plant%20Clinics%20Schedule.pdf.
Resources:
National Gardening Association (2017) Sausage Tree (Kigelia
africana)
Wikipedia (2017) Kigelia
If you have any interest in trees do read it, I have nothing against trees I am nature friendly person, but this is beyond boring to me.
ReplyDeleteI have a large tree in my backyard. Can’t figure it’s age but it’s large. Was curious if fruit had any value. I live near sanibel causeway. The flowers do attract birds. Hopefully bats. Although I haven’t seen any. I’m looking to add bee hives behind house.
ReplyDeleteDoes the girth of the tree give an indication of the age of the tree?
ReplyDeleteThere is a large sausage tree with big fruit across the lane on Estero Island, Fort Myers Beach. While I don't think we have fruit bats to pollinate the tree, I read that our local red belly woodpeckers will handle the pollination.
ReplyDeleteI believe I have one in my yard, I was told it was over 200 years old. Not sure? But it’s a beautiful tree!
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The sausage tree is a fascinating exotic specimen – its giant sausage-shaped fruit, stunning red flowers, and tropical African origins make it a conversation piece. However, the falling fruit can be a hazard, so careful site selection is essential. For gardeners looking for some entertainment, plinko offers a nice break. Have you ever seen a sausage tree in person?
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