Bridalveil Tree

This unusual flowering shade tree is sure to gain popularity as more people discover its striking good looks. Be the first on your block to brighten your yard with a Bridalveil Tree.

The Bridalveil is a medium-sized evergreen tree, growing to a maximum height of around 35 feet with a 20- to 25-foot spread. The eye-catching trunks are slender and covered with smooth, reddish brown bark that peels away in strips, revealing the attractive creamy-white to pale green surface below. Bridalveils have a narrow, upright, vase-shaped crown that usually rises from a group of four or more low branches. The canopy is open and grass grows well in the dappled shade. The small oval leaves are bright green and arranged in feather-like patterns on slim stems. Their resemblance to openwork lace gives this tree its name. In Southern Florida, the Bridalveil Tree blooms from early summer through fall and occasionally into winter. The flowers are small, bright yellow and usually most abundant at the top of the crown.

Despite its romantic name and dainty appearance, the Bridalveil is a sturdy tree that requires little maintenance. Bridalveil Trees enjoy full sun, aren’t particular about soil type as long as it is well-drained, and rarely need to be fertilized. Although they are moderately drought tolerant once established, it’s important to water your new tree regularly for the first three to six months after planting. Leaves won’t litter the yard and pests aren’t a problem. Some pruning may be required in the first three years of growth to prevent the bark from rubbing where the branches join the tree and to develop a strong central trunk. Left unpruned, the Bridalveil grows into a multi-trunked tree that resembles an inverted cone. The wood is robust and reasonably wind resistant.

The small stature and narrow crown of the Bridalveil make it a perfect shade tree for side lawns, parkways or other spaces where it will create a pleasing accent without crowding the landscape. The roots aren’t invasive, and the Bridalveil can be successfully cultivated in tree boxes or patio cut-outs.