Mast Tree in the Landscape
Are you familiar with the Mast Tree? When your landscape design needs some vertical appeal, wholesale Mast Trees from Palmco are an ideal tropical substitute for Italian Cypress and other plants for lining avenues and driveways, creating privacy screens, reducing noise pollution, slowing the wind, and hiding unwanted views.
The Mast Tree or Polyalthia Longifolia
The beautiful Mast Tree, or Polyalthia longifolia ‘Pendula,’ is also called the False Ashoka because it is frequently mistaken for the sacred Indian Asoka or Ashoka tree (Saraca indica), which has similar foliage but is not related. Other names for the Mast Tree include Buddha Tree, Weeping Mast Tree and Indian Mast Tree.
The Mast Tree is native to India and Sri Lanka. It belongs to the Annonaceae family, one of the largest families of flowering tropical plants and trees. Better-known relatives include the Custard Apple or Wild Sweetsop (Annona reticulata), Soursop (Annona muricata), Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata), and Cherimoya (Annona cherimola).
In the days of sailing ships, the straight, flexible trunks of Mast Trees were used to build masts, hence the name. In India and Sri Lanka, they are commonly planted around temples (they appear on the grounds of the Taj Mahal), and the wood is mainly used today for decorative items and drum cylinders.
The Mast Tree will grow to 30 to 45 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide at maturity. It has dense layers of feathery, wavy-edged leaves that hang from drooping branches and cover the tree from top to bottom. The contrast of new, coppery brown leaves, older lime green leaves, and mature, glossy dark green leaves makes a spectacular show.
Once a year in spring or summer, star-like flowers blossom and last for two to three weeks. The flowers are pale green and blend inconspicuously with the leaves. Clusters of green fruit follow, ripening to purple or black. These features make the Mast Tree attractive to bees, butterflies and birds.
Landscaping with the Mast Tree
One of the Mast tree’s best attributes is its ability to form a solid wall of green while using just a small amount of ground space.
They are stunning when used to line avenues or driveways, as tall hedges, privacy screens, visual dividers, strong accents around large buildings, and as noise and wind barriers.
They 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. They can be placed in tight spots, and can be placed directly in the ground or in large containers.
When landscaping a large yard or a park, use rows of multiple Mast Trees to form a tall hedge effect around large spaces. Line pathways or avenues with rows of them for a touch of elegance.
Why Choose Palmco
Palmco serves all of Florida and the contiguous U.S., and provides a large selection of wholesale FF-grade palms, top-quality bamboos, and ornamental plants with different heights, shapes, textures and even colors. We pride ourselves on our environmentally conscious growing process and our reputation for exceptional customer service.
When you’re looking for narrow, columnar evergreen trees for your landscape design, contact Palmco about the wholesale Mast Tree. Give us a call at (239) 283-1329 to find out more about them.
