What are the characteristics of the ebony tree?

El ebony tree It is a majestic plant native to India that is grown in all the hot and humid tropical regions of the world. It gives a very good shade, and also produces very decorative flowers.

If you need to know what are the characteristics of this tree, then I will explain this and much more.

What are their characteristics?

The ebony tree, whose scientific name is Diospyros ebenum, it is a dioecious plant (there are male feet and female feet) that reaches a height of 20 to 30 meters, with a trunk about 40-50cm thick. The leaves are petiolate, elliptical-lanceolate to ovate, thin, with a rounded to obtuse apex, and 6-15cm in size by 2-5cm.

The flowers, which sprout in spring, are solitary, or sometimes arranged in 3-15 cymose inflorescences. The fruit is a globose black berry, 3-5cm in diameter, with brown-black seeds with a triangular-ellipsoidal shape of up to 1,5cm.

How do you take care of yourself?

If you want to get a copy, we recommend providing the following care:

Location

Ebony is a tree that must be outside, in full sun or in semi-shade. In addition, it must be taken into account that it needs a lot of space to grow, so that, although it can be grown in a pot during its youth, over time as it gains height it will be increasingly necessary to plant it in the ground.

When that time comes, it should be placed at a minimum distance of 10 meters from pipes, and at least 5 meters from other large plants, walls and walls. Thus, you will be able to contemplate it in all its splendor.

Land

• Garden: must have good drainage and be rich in organic matter.
• Flower pot: fill with universal culture substrate mixed with 30% perlite, arlite or similar.

Irrigation

Irrigation must be frecuente. The ebony tree must be watered every 2-3 days in summer and somewhat less the rest of the year, ideally at sunset.

Use rainwater whenever you can, but if you can't get it for whatever reason, fill a basin with water and let it sit overnight. The next day, you can use it.

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In addition to watering it whenever necessary, it is advisable to pay with organic fertilizers throughout the season once a month. For example, with mulch, guano, herbivorous animal manure, or the like. You just have to bear in mind that if you have it in a pot it is better to use fertilizers in liquid format, since otherwise the ability of the substrate to drain the water would be impaired.

Planting or transplanting time

It is to be planted in the garden in spring (or, if you live in a climate without seasons, towards the end of the dry season). If you have it in a pot, you should put it in a larger one when you see that the roots are coming out of the drainage holes, or if more than 2-3 years have passed since the last transplant.

Choose a container that has holes in the base, so that the water can come out when it is watered, and try not to manipulate the roots too much.

Ebony multiplication

To get new copies its seeds are to be sown in spring. Direct sowing in hotbed, following this step by step:

1. First, a seedbed (for example, forest seedling trays or flowerpots) is filled with universal plant substrate.
2. Then, one seed is placed per socket, or two if a pot has been chosen.
3. Afterwards, copper or sulfur is dusted in to prevent fungal infections, and covered with substrate.
4. Finally, the seedbed is watered and placed outside, in semi-shade.

If all goes well, in about 15-20 days they will start to germinate, but you have to leave the seedlings in the seedbed until you see some roots coming out of the drainage holes.

Rusticity

The ebony tree can't stand the cold. The minimum temperature must be above 10 degrees Celsius, therefore, in temperate regions you will need protection in a greenhouse.

Sadly, it is not well suited to living indoors.

What uses does it have?

Ornamental

Ebony is a very decorative tree, which gives an excellent shade. In addition, once it reaches a certain height it becomes a refuge for many animals and insects, such as birds or bees.

Carpentry

The wood is used to make handmade works of art, to produce musical instrument parts (such as grand piano keys), and also for inlays for cabinetmaking.

What did you think of ebony? It is a plant that looks very good as an isolated specimen in large gardens, but it is also interesting to have it in a pot during its youth, to decorate patios and / or terraces. It gives very good shade, and that is something that is certainly appreciated when the sun 'sets'.

We hope you have learned a lot from this plant 🙂.