A relatively uncommon tree from China with large, exotic compound leaves that hang loosely on an open structure; a nice shade tree for its tropical yet unusually coarse appearance, although it tends to sucker; by far the hardiest of the mahogany family Chinese Toon is an open deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage. This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration; Chinese Toon features airy panicles of white flowers at the ends of the branches in late spring. It has dark green deciduous foliage which emerges brick red in spring. The narrow compound leaves do not develop any appreciable fall colour. The peeling brown bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape. Chinese Toon will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 40 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 6 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.
