Trees with lacy, fern-like leaves can add incredible beauty and visual interest to any landscape Their delicate, exotic foliage evokes images of lush tropical rainforests. If you’re looking to create a tropical oasis or just add some unique flair, consider incorporating one of these eye-catching large trees with elegant fern-like leaves.
An Overview of Large Trees With Ferny Leaves
Certain large tree species naturally develop leaves that closely resemble fern fronds Their foliage consists of small leaflets arranged along a central rib in an oblong, oval, or lance-like shape While not exactly like true ferns, the delicate texture and form of these large trees can make a dramatic statement.
Ferny-leaved trees range in mature size from 25 feet up to over 100 feet tall. They originate from diverse regions including Australia, Asia, Africa, South America, and Central America. Beyond gorgeous greenery, many produce fragrant blooms at certain times of year. Let’s explore some top picks for big trees with stunning ferny foliage.
10 Best Large Trees With Fern-Like Leaves
1. Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia)
Native to Brazil, the jacaranda is a fast-growing favorite reaching 50 to 100 feet tall. Its lush green bipinnate leaves look like giant fern fronds. Vibrant purple trumpet-shaped blooms in spring are stunning against the ferny foliage.
2. Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia)
This towering tree from Madagascar boasts enormous ferny leaves up to 2 feet long! Brilliant orange-red blooms provide jaw-dropping contrast against the bright green lacy leaves. Grows over 50 feet tall.
3. Fern-Leaved Wattle (Acacia filicifolia)
A fast-growing Australian native, this tree displays lovely lacy foliage and reaches up to 50 feet tall. Feathery leaves complement the sunny yellow puffball blooms in spring.
4. Rainbow Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta)
This giant eucalyptus from Indonesia and the Philippines grows over 200 feet tall! Its multicolored bark peels to reveal tones of green, orange, red, and purple for a rainbow effect.
5. Chinese Flame Tree (Koelreuteria bipinnata)
A versatile medium-sized tree growing 25 to 40 feet tall. Ferny leaves emerge reddish-pink before turning green. Clusters of yellow flowers in summer draw pollinators.
6. Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba)
This unique large deciduous tree grows over 50 feet tall. Delicate green leaves resemble its namesake fern. Spreading branches give it an open, irregular form.
7. Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)
A fast-growing tree reaching 30 to 40 feet at maturity. Its lacy leaves provide dappled shade. Long panicles of bright yellow blooms decorate the branches in summer.
8. Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
A hardy, fast-growing shade tree potentially reaching over 100 feet tall. Has extremely lacy, emerald-green leaves up to a foot long that turn golden in fall.
9. Fern Pine (Podocarpus gracilior)
This narrowly upright evergreen tree from Africa grows 40 to 50 feet tall. Elegant spiraling branches are adorned with slender, deep green leaves resembling miniature ferns.
10. Weeping Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis)
A medium-sized evergreen tree with gracefully arching branches bearing long, slender, willow-like leaves with a ferny look. Can reach up to 25 feet tall.
Key Care Tips for Large Ferny-Leaved Trees
When incorporating one of these exotic beauties in your own landscape, keep these care tips in mind:
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Most prefer warm climates and do best in USDA zones 8-11. Provide ample moisture.
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Select trees suited specifically to your regional climate. Avoid varieties that can’t tolerate winter frosts.
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Allow plenty of space for growth and air circulation to limit disease issues.
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Monitor for pests like scale, caterpillars, or aphids. Treat with organic methods as needed.
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Most won’t require extensive pruning once established. Simply remove dead branches when needed.
With their elegantly arching branches and delicate lacy foliage, large trees with ferny leaves create serious visual impact. They bring a taste of the tropics to warm climate gardens. Add one as a striking focal point or shady backdrop for your exotic oasis.
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Landscape uses for Japanese fern tree
- single yard specimen
- small shade tree near the patio or deck
- accent tree off the corner of the house
- in pairs flanking the entrance to a driveway
- backdrop for a flowerbed
GOOD SNOWBIRD PLANT? YES (in warmer regions)COMPANION PLANT SUGGESTIONS: Avoid planting directly underneath a young tree and keep lawn grass from growing too close to the trunk. Nearby plantings might include burfordii holly, variegated arboricola, Knock Out rose, African iris, and vinca.
Other trees you might like: Weeping Podocarpus, Kopsia
Five Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Tree Ferns – Dicksonia antarctica
FAQ
What tree has leaves that look like a fern?
Fagus sylvatica ‘Asplenifolia’ (Fern Leaved Beech) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.
What is the largest tree fern species?
Cyathea brownii is probably the largest tree fern species in the world. It is endemic to Norfolk Island, in the Pacific Ocean near Australia and New Zealand. It gets its name from the botanist Robert Brown (1773-1858). In natural habitat Cyathea brownii can reach up to 20 metres or more in height.
How to look after Tasmanian tree fern?
You can grow tree ferns in a large greenhouse or conservatory as long as they are shaded, humid and well ventilated. Avoid indoor temperatures greater than 32°C (90°F). You can stand young plants outside in the summer, but keep them out of direct sunlight. Top-dress container-grown plants or pot on annually in spring.
What is an invasive fern-like tree?
Commonly known as the mimosa tree or silk tree, Albizia julibrissin is an attractive yet invasive tree that is threatening Florida’s landscape. Originally from China, the mimosa tree has been a popular landscape tree in Florida for many years because of its fragrant pink flowers and feathery, fern-like foliage.
What tree looks like a fern?
Yet another tree that looks like a fern is the fern-leaf wattle tree. As the name suggests, this tree has fern-like leaves consisting of long, narrow leaf stems covered in small, bladelike compound leaves. Fern-leaf wattle trees are native to Australia, and when the tree is not in full bloom, you can clearly see why this tree is named after a fern.
Which trees have fern-like foliage?
In this list of trees with fern-like foliage, you will notice that most of these trees have similarities with fern trees when it comes to structure and leaves. Tree ferns are ferns that have a trunk from which the fronds emerge, giving them a tree-like appearance. 1. Fern Leaved Wattle
What is a fern tree?
This species is noted for its fern-like leaves which can grow up to 20 inches long; it is also known for its beautiful purple-blue blossoms. Native to Argentina and Bolivia, it has since spread to Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America where it thrives in places blessed with copious amounts of sunshine which it loves.
How tall does a fern tree grow?
This tree variety can potentially grow up to a height of typically 30 to 50 feet (9–15 m) tall and features deep roots and thorns at the base of the little branches. They can equally be easily recognized by their fern-like leaves and possess long stems and round compound leaflets covered with fine hairs.
What does a soft tree fern look like?
The leaves of soft tree ferns are large, glossy dark green, alternatively arranged, and bipinnate or tripinnate (sterile or fertile) having a rough texture. These leaves are very attractive with gracefully arching and deeply divided terminal-rosette which make them distinctive.
What is a fern leaf called?
A fern leaf which is also called a frond. The fern leaves are almost linear in shape and light green. The leaf surface is a little rough and not waxy. Besides, their petioles which connect the leaf to the stem are long. Again, the leaflets are also arranged in the midrib and the frond tip is called the apex.