Davidia involucrata Standard rootball 3-3.5 m tall
Davidia involucrata Standard rootball 3-3.5 m tall
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Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrata) Standard Tree
Bring a remarkable flowering display to a spacious garden with the Handkerchief Tree, also known as the Dove Tree. Davidia involucrata is celebrated for its large white bracts, which hang beneath the branches around small flower heads in late spring, fluttering like pocket handkerchiefs in the breeze.
Supplied approximately 3–3.5 m tall as a standard tree with a rootball, this deciduous specimen creates a distinctive focal point. Its broad green leaves provide summer interest before developing autumn tones as the season changes.
Why choose a Handkerchief Tree?
- Unusual hanging white bracts create an eye-catching display once the tree reaches flowering maturity.
- Broad green foliage brings texture to mixed planting.
- Deciduous foliage adds seasonal autumn interest.
- Standard form provides a clear structural focal point.
- A characterful choice for larger gardens and landscape schemes.
Supplied size and flowering expectations
Supplied as a standard rootballed tree approximately 3–3.5 m tall. This is the supplied height, not its eventual mature size. Crown shape and branching vary naturally. Davidia can take many years to reach flowering maturity; supplied height alone does not guarantee flowering in the first season.
Position and growing conditions
Choose a sheltered position in sun or partial shade with fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Protect from strong, drying winds and allow generous room for the crown and roots to develop. Avoid persistently dry or waterlogged ground.
Planting and aftercare
Keep the rootball moist and protected before planting. Prepare a wide planting hole and position the root flare at soil level. Backfill carefully, water thoroughly and stake where needed to stabilise the rootball. Mulch around the base, keeping mulch away from the trunk, and water regularly during dry spells while establishing. Check tree ties as the trunk grows.
Low stock: 2 left
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Planting Instructions
Plant Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrata) in a sheltered position in sun or partial shade, with fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Allow generous room for its mature crown and roots. Plant rootballed stock during dormancy when the ground is neither frozen nor waterlogged. Keep the rootball moist and protected before planting.
Prepare a hole wider than the rootball, keeping the root flare at soil level. Support the rootball when moving the tree rather than lifting by the trunk. Remove synthetic wrapping and follow nursery guidance for any hessian or wire support without breaking up the rootball. Backfill carefully, water thoroughly and stake where needed to stabilise the roots. Mulch clear of the trunk, check ties regularly and water deeply during dry spells while establishing. Avoid strong drying winds and prolonged drought.
Size & Specification
Supplied as a standard Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrata), approximately 3–3.5 m tall, with a rootball. This describes the supplied height, not its eventual mature size. Allow space for a substantial deciduous tree.
Crown shape and branching vary naturally. Stem girth, clear-stem height and rootball dimensions are not specified; contact the nursery if these measurements are important. Davidia can take many years to reach flowering maturity, so supplied height does not guarantee flowers in the first season.
Delivery & Dispatch
This approximately 3–3.5 m standard Handkerchief Tree is supplied with a rootball. Please confirm dispatch timing, vehicle access and unloading arrangements with Stoneybrook Nursery before ordering. Rootball lifting and dispatch can be affected by weather and ground conditions.
Prepare the planting area before arrival where possible. Keep the rootball moist and protected from frost and drying winds, and plant promptly when conditions are suitable. Use appropriate handling equipment, supporting the rootball rather than lifting by the trunk.
Wildlife & Ecological Notes
As it matures, Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrata) provides canopy cover, shelter and perching places for birds. Its large white bracts surround the small flower heads; the bracts are modified leaves rather than flower petals.
Davidia is native to China, not the UK. Combine it with native trees, shrubs and flowering plants to provide a wider range of wildlife habitats and seasonal food sources. Fallen leaves can be composted or used to make leaf mould.