Castor Aralia or tree aralia, is the only large tree found in the aralia family. Its large leaves are reminiscent of castor bean. This deciduous tree typically grows to 40-60’ tall with an upright oval habit. In its native habitat, it occurs in cool, moist forest areas and may reach 90-100’ tall. Even though it is very cold hardy, it has tropical looking, large, palmate leaves. Leaves turn dull yellow to red in fall, but are not particularly showy. It also blooms late in the summer, long after buds have formed and the tree appears to be going dormant for the season. Watch out for the large, rose-like thorns that arm the stout branches!

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It is a member or the Araliaceae family and therefore is one of the few trees in Connecticut whose flowers are held in umbels.

USDA Zones 4-7