The silk tree, also known by the names sleeping tree or silk acacia, is native to Asia and Australia. In its homeland, the temperatures in winter do not fall as much as in the Central European climate. The silk tree is therefore only partially hardy in our latitudes.

Older silk trees tolerate mild winters

Up to what temperatures is the silk tree hardy?

The sleeping tree tolerates temperatures down to minus 15 degrees for a short time - at least if it is a few years older. Younger silk trees that have just been planted outside must therefore be protected from frost or overwintered in a bucket indoors.

In order for the silk tree to become hardy enough to withstand very cold temperatures, you must not plant it out too late in the year. You should keep young plants in pots for the first few years anyway.

As a location, choose a place where the sleeping tree is bright and sheltered from the wind. Places in front of walls or other trees are good, but you have to make sure you keep a sufficient distance.

Protect from frost outside in the first few years

Young silk trees need good frost protection in winter if planted outdoors. Cover the ground with a thick layer of mulch made from leaves, grass clippings or straw. This not only protects the soil from drying out, but also prevents the soil from freezing.

Wrap the trunk of the silk tree with garden fleece, jute or brushwood to protect it from frost.

Don't let it dry out, even in winter

In the first few years, the roots of young silk trees do not reach deep enough into the soil to provide themselves with moisture. This also applies to freshly planted older silk acacias.

You should therefore occasionally water the silk tree on frost-free days if the winter is very dry.

Overwinter silky acacia grown in tubs frost-free

Since the young silk trees are much less hardy than older plants, it is best to keep them in a bucket for the first few years. You can overwinter it in a cool, frost-free place.

Suitable places for wintering are

  • bright garden houses
  • unheated conservatories
  • corridor window
  • entrance areas

The temperatures at the winter location should not fall below five degrees. They must not be much warmer than ten degrees.

Get Seidenbaum into the house in time

If you grow the sleeping tree in a bucket on the terrace, bring it into the house in good time in autumn. At the latest when the temperatures have dropped to five to ten degrees, it is time to move.

After the winter, the silk tree in the bucket is slowly brought back to a warmer environment and accustomed to the new location by the hour.

tips

The leaves of the silk tree do not contain any toxins. The situation is different with the fruiting bodies and seeds of the sleeping acacia, which are classified as poisonous. The sleeping tree is therefore not well suited for families with children or pets.

Category:

Trees