Pride of Bolivia

Pride of Bolivia (Tipuana tipu) is the tree to choose when you want real shade in a hurry. It grows quickly to about 12m tall with a canopy roughly as wide, and through early summer it carries masses of yellow and orange flowers that bees work over. The trade off is space: that spread, and vigorous surface roots, mean it belongs well away from paving, pools and pipes.

Why you'll love it

• Shade in years, not decades. It is fast growing, so a bare lawn has usable cover far sooner than it would under a slower tree.
• A real flowering season. Yellow and orange blooms cover the canopy in early summer, then drift down as a carpet underneath.
• Tough once established. Drought, heat and wind tolerant, which suits open inland blocks and exposed coastal ones alike.
• Summer shade, winter sun. It is deciduous, so it shades the house through summer and lets winter light back in.

Where it works best

Shade tree for larger blocks. Lawns, paddocks and acreage suit it. Plan for a 12m canopy and keep at least that much clearance from the house.

Driveways and avenues. Space trees 8m to 10m apart for a continuous canopy along a long drive, and set the row back from the bitumen, because surface roots will lift it.

Feature planting. A single tree in open lawn shows the vase shaped frame and the flowering at their best.

Growing Pride of Bolivia in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and an open position with room overhead. It suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi-arid gardens. Light frost is the limit, so cold tableland and southern districts are a poor match, and young trees want protection through their first two winters.

Soil. It wants a soil that drains, and it repays a reasonable one. On heavy clay, plant on a raised mound with compost through a wide bed, and keep 75mm of mulch clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers while the roots go down, then taper off. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring is all it asks.

Pruning. Prune early to a single leader and well spaced limbs. The timber is brittle, so shorten long horizontal branches before storm season rather than leaving them to tear.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in 30L, 90L and 200L, all currently supplied to order. The 30L is a young tree with a formed leader, ready to train, while the 90L and 200L arrive with real height and trunk calliper already on them.

Trees are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Expect little visible growth in the first month while roots establish, then strong extension through the first full warm season. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Choosing a canopy tree for shade
• Compare fast growing shade trees
• Trees for driveways and avenues
• How to plan a driveway planting

Common questions

How far from the house should I plant it?

Allow at least 10m to 12m from buildings, paving, pools and service lines. The roots run near the surface and the canopy matches the height, so crowding it stores up problems.

Is it deciduous?

Yes. It drops its leaves in the cooler months and reshoots in spring, which is useful if you want winter sun on a north facing wall.

Will it survive frost?

Light frost only. Established trees shrug off the odd cold morning, but hard frosting inland and southern gardens will damage young growth.

Does it suit a suburban backyard?

Rarely. At 12m by 12m it overwhelms a standard block, and the surface roots compete with lawn and beds. Choose a smaller flowering tree instead.