Franklinia alatamaha, Franklin tree
September 2009
The history behind Franklinia alatamaha gives this rare tree almost mythical proportions. But beyond that, this small native tree should be planted for its beautiful blooms that open in early fall. The fragrant, white flowers are five-petaled, about 3 inches wide, with yellow stamens punctuating the center.
John Bartram, a Quaker naturalist who roamed the colonies collecting plants, named the tree for his friend, Benjamin Franklin. Bartram originally found the Franklin tree growing by the Altamaha River in Georgia in 1765 and brought back seeds to propagate at his farm along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. The tree was last seen in the wild about 1800. Today’s trees are said to be descended from Bartram’s few plants.
Franklinia alatamaha is a member of the Theaceae, or Tea Family, and related to the camellia. A slow grower, it will form a rounded shape about 20 to 25 high and 15 feet wide. It can be a multi-stemmed or a single-trunk tree. In summer, the 5 to 6-inch long leaves are a lustrous dark green; in fall they turn orange and red while the handsome flowers evolve into rounded brown seed capsules that persist through the winter.
This is a very tricky tree to grow. The fibrous root system wants an acidic and moist soil, but the location must drain well. Plant Franklinia in full sun for best flowering and fall color. It likes the late afternoon sun. Don’t plant it near rhododendrons that also are susceptible and may pass on the fungal disease Phytophthora.
Haverford College’s one tree is growing across from the Duck Pond on the left side of College Lane. To see a mature grove of these trees, however, travel a few miles to the small arboretum at a fellow Quaker school, Westtown School in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
This is truly a wonderful tree to grow if you have the right location, despite the necessary coddling.