MAST TREE

Polyalthia longifolia is often called the “ashoka tree,” but that name actually belongs to Saraca indica. The similarity in foliage causes people to confuse the two trees. These columnar trees have a weeping habit and remain full to the ground with greenery from top to bottom. They have an artistic, charming, and somewhat formal look, especially effective when planted in rows.

As one of the most unique South Florida landscape trees, the false ashoka is perfect for narrow areas because it grows very tall but stays slender. This tree works well as a subtropical substitute for the Italian Cypress tree, which prefers the cooler temperatures of Zone 9B and northward. In the same family as the ylang-ylang tree, the tree’s spring flowers are pale green and not showy.

False ashoka is also called the Mast Tree, as builders of sailing ships used the lightweight and flexible wood of the tall trunks to create masts. Surprisingly wind-tolerant for such tall, narrow trees, they are often used in group plantings for windbreaks, privacy hedges, and even to reduce noise pollution. A moderate grower to 30 feet, this tree rarely exceeds 6 to 8 feet in width.