This large shrub to small tree has a smooth greyish trunk with ascending branches that form a rounded crown. The elliptical leaves are dark glossy green and the small green cup-shaped flowers appear in upright racemes from spring to summer.

Hardiness zones 8 to 10

Trochodendron aralioides is naturally found from Japan including Ryukyu Islands to Korea and Taiwan growing in forests up to an altitude of 3,000m (10,000ft) forming pure stands on the mountains and extending to the coast.

It prefers a wind protected position with dappled light to full sun and grows in well drained fertile moist soils that are tending acidic and is light frost tolerant but drought tender.

The Wheel Tree is grown for its foliage and is planted in shrub borders or amongst other trees in a shaded woodland setting. It establishes in 3 to 5 years and is long lived growing on the coast and in the adjoining mountains. It is also used as a courtyard specimen and in Japanese gardens. The small flowers are used in floral arrangements and it remains shrubby for many years before developing into a tree. ID 2819

Trochodendron(tro-ko-DEN-dron) aralioides(a-rah-lee-OI-deez)

Trochodendraceae (tro-KON-den-DRAY-see-ee)