Comments on: Fragrant Snowbell: Styrax obassia

By: Joel Nuss

Joel Nuss — Sun, 04 Aug 2019 15:45:51 +0000

I am the proud owner of Styrax Obassia here on Long Island, New York. I planted it at 6′ tall and that was 20 years ago.
It has successfully flowered every year but I have noticed that the leaves, originally the size of my hand, are now rather small.
The flowering has also declined.
It has plenty of room around it and a low garden under it.
It reached its max growth of about 25′ tall and and about 20 wide, many years ago.
Full sun.
Is it age that prevents the leaves from growing large or should I prune it?
you can view a pic of my Stryrax here: http://www.shaqari.com/gardening

Thanks!
Joel

By: Becky Robert

Becky Robert — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 18:06:18 +0000

In reply to Lisa Dustin.

Joshua Coceano
2:03 PM (1 minute ago)
to me

My personal observation has been that Styrax obassia are durable trees – there are quite a few planted in Swarthmore as street trees and I’ve been very impressed with their performance.
Actions / thoughts:
* Has the tree maxed out the growing space allotted thus leading to decline?
* University of Connecticut does list it as a “a delicate plant that can thrive for several years and die abruptly.” http://hort.uconn.edu/detail.php?pid=479
* Vascular ailment-either fungal or bacterial. Discuss further with a tree care specialist.

Sincerely,
Josh Coceano
Horticulturist
Scott Arboretum

By: Lisa Dustin

Lisa Dustin — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 16:11:46 +0000

I planted a styrax obassia in my West Philadelphia backyard about 15 years ago. It has been a great tree, blooming reliably every year. However, last year one half of the tree showed signs of severe stress (droopy leaves). This year, although the less stressed side it bloomed in May as always, it now shows severe signs of stress and it’s pretty clear that it’s dying. I cannot think of any environmental changes in my yard, except the increasing size and density of a river birch to the east of this tree. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I’d like to replace it in kind, but am reluctant to do so without knowing the cause of the sudden demise of this one. Thank you!

By: Becky Robert

Becky Robert — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 17:27:22 +0000

In reply to david evans.

Hi David,
Styrax obassia are beautiful trees! I’m uncertain as to why yours hasn’t bloomed. How old would you say the young tree is? Sometimes a tree needs to reach a certain internal age before it’ll bloom. Davidia are notorious for this.

By: david evans

david evans — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 01:15:07 +0000

I also have a young Styrax obassia that has not flowered. It grows in full sun, wuite close to a Styrax japonica that has bloomed since it was a whip. Any thoughts as to how to encourage blooms or if there is something required in the surroundings that miht help?

By: Mary Tipping

Mary Tipping — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 17:52:22 +0000

In reply to Pascale. Sorry to hear that you are still waiting for your Styrax obassia to bloom. I don't know of any specific reason for this species not to bloom. If possible, you may want to relocate the tree to a full-sun location.

By: Pascale

Pascale — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 20:32:22 +0000

Hello- I planted a styrax obassia about 4 years ago. It is growing very well and is about 10 feet tall now, however, it has never bloomed. It gets good sun with protection just beyond a wooded edge and I keep it mulched and sprayed to repel deer. It’s growing in rich organic soil. Does anyone know at what age it should bloom? I’ve been patiently waiting…..Thanks!

By: marie carbo

marie carbo — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 02:53:22 +0000

wonderful to see a tree flowering like this….

A delight as a street tree!

By: Vicki Stone

Vicki Stone — Thu, 28 May 2015 20:42:23 +0000

I have this tree in my garden, having grown it from seed about 10 years ago, and always look forward to its bloom. It seeds in quite a bit, and I have several saplings growing under the mother tree. Also has a tendency to be multi-trunked, but can be trained to a single trunk. Contact me if you would like a sapling. Nearly impossible to find in the trade.

By: John Schucker

John Schucker — Thu, 28 May 2015 02:23:54 +0000

I was very happy to procure a small specimen of Styrax obassia recently, having wanted to try one for years. Mine is barely 6 feet tall and certainly will not flower this season, but the large round leaves and early evidence of a graceful branching habit already make it a lovely and unique presence. Choosing something as substantial as a tree for the landscape is always a process over which I deliberate for quite some time. Your glowing comments, Josh, reinforce my enthusiasm for having made this choice. Thank you.