Mast Tree Characteristics
When you’re looking for narrow, columnar evergreen trees to take the place of Italian Cypress in your landscape design, consider the Mast Tree from Palmco. Its characteristics make the tree a superb choice for color and screening.
Palmco serves the contiguous U.S. from our 600-acre farm in Bokeelia on Pine Island, Florida, providing a wide selection of FF-grade palms, top-quality bamboos, and spectacular ornamental plants.
We assist landscape contractors, architects and developers with everything they need to beautify a resort, golf course, commercial properties, residential estates and more, by providing large tree transplants and specimen trees throughout the country and worldwide.
Characteristics of the Mast Tree
The Mast Tree, or Polyalthia longifolia ‘Pendula,’ originated in the lowland rainforests of India and Sri Lanka and is also known as False Ashoka, Indian Mast Tree, Buddha Tree, and Indian Fir Tree.
The beautiful evergreen tree grows in a somewhat narrow, columnar shape to 30 to 45 feet in height and 4 to 5 feet in width at maturity. It is covered from top to bottom with graceful, glossy dark green pendulous leaves on drooping branches. The Mast Tree’s features include:
- Elegant vertical column-like form
- Evergreen ornamental foliage
- Suitable for narrow spaces
- Moderate growth rate
- Tolerates partial shade to direct sun
- Average watering requirements
- Easy to maintain
- Drought tolerant
- Salt tolerant
- No notable pest threats
Mast Trees are not very tolerant of cold weather (below 32° F), and are best suited to USDA Zones 10a to 11 and warmer areas of Zone 9b. Palmco does not recommend them for use north of coastal Hillsborough County on Florida’s west coast or Indian River County on the east coast.
Mast Tree Landscaping Ideas
Landscape designers throughout south Florida are enjoying the versatility of Mast Trees for a wide range of uses.
- Plant them when you need to make a big statement in a compact space. Since Mast Trees only grow to 4 or 5 feet wide, they can be placed in tight spots. They can be placed directly in the ground or in large containers.
- Mast Trees make attractive focal points and elegant entryway frames. Set them against tall buildings to soften their look, use them to conceal vertical drain-pipes, or place them around a swimming pool to add privacy.
- Instead of installing a privacy fence between homes, use Mast Trees as a privacy barrier. They don’t take up much more space than a wooden fence and make a much more attractive natural barrier.
- When landscaping a large yard or a park, use rows of multiple Mast Trees to form a tall hedge effect around large spaces.
- Create a windbreak to protect smaller plants from wind and excessive sun. Mast Trees offer protection in xeriscape gardens where drought-tolerant plants and trees are needed.
- Line pathways or avenues with rows of Mast Trees for a touch of elegance, setting them either close together to form a very tall hedge effect or 8 to 10 feet apart for more light and air circulation.
The Mast Tree has unique characteristics that make it a prime choice of savvy landscape designers. You’ll find them for sale wholesale at Palmco. Call us today at (239) 283-1329 to learn more.
