How to Grow a Mimosa Tree in Massachusetts
The fast-growing and hardy mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) bears long seedpods, elegant feathered compound leaves and pink flower clusters that resemble puff balls. This tree thrives in a range of locations and is low maintenance once established. Gardeners in the eastern half of Massachusetts -- roughly Worcester and all towns east -- can grow the mimosa tree in their yards, since they are in hardiness zones 6 and 7. Those in the Berkshires and Pioneer Valley cannot grow the mimosa tree, since winter temperatures get too low. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Select a site that allows the mimosa tree enough room to grow -- when mature, the trees reach 35 feet in height -- and full sun exposure. These trees aren't picky about soil texture or soil pH and can pretty much tolerate anything, as shown by their wide naturalization in the southern United States.
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Dig a hole for your tree that is twice the size of the mimosa tree's root ball. Remove weeds and rocks from the planting site.
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Pull your mimosa tree from its container and unwind circled roots, massaging the root ball gently between your fingers to loosen it. Place the tree in the hole so it sits vertically straight and at the same depth as it did in its container. Push the soil into the hole, pressing it gently around the plant's roots and trunk.
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Water the mimosa tree until the soil becomes saturated. Thereafter, water the mimosa tree with 1 inch of water per week, or give water if you see the leaves wilting. If you get enough rainfall, skip watering that week. Mimosa trees can withstand neglect and drought, so skipping watering generally won't harm your tree.
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Rake up mimosa tree flowers when they fall, since they create a mess on your lawn.
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Prune back mimosa trees in the late winter or early spring to control their size. Clip the ends of long branches back to a swollen tissue node or a lateral branch. Prune off limbs that grow vertically up or angle down.
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Tips & Warnings
Mimosa seedlings root readily and spread quite quickly. Pick out volunteer seedlings whenever you encounter them or you'll have a grove of mimosa trees developing in your home.
References
Resources
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