Oleander Tree

Oleander tree or Nerium oleander is an evergreen plant which belongs to the apocynaceae family of plants and trees. The tree is one of the most poisonous house plants which exist on the face of the earth. Oleander is also known by many names such as the La adelfa, rose laurel, rosebay and olean. Always termed as an attractive plant for warm climates, the oleander bears heavily scented colorful flowers in summers and fall.

This tree grows from summer to fall, it bears flowers which sport a variety of colors like apricot, copper, pink, red, purple, salmon, yellow and white. The oleanders grows best in the western and southern states of the US. They are very well adapted to drought conditions and will withstand muddy winds, and soils which have a high water and salt content. It is a popular attraction in coastal areas. They are not native to the US but have a broad stretch from Morocco, Portugal and Mediterranean regions. It is also found in south east Asia and is an added attraction along the great highways of California.

Oleander Tree Information
The tree is very easy to grow, it is adaptable and requires low maintenance. It can survive without water for weeks. Oleander plants are very poisonous and there are numerous toxic compounds in every part of the plant's body. The highest rate of poisonous compounds are found in the sap of this tree, which can cause skin numbness. Even slight contact with its flowers and leaves, can make you fall sick or have itching reactions all over the body. Plant the oleanders as far as you can from your house as children may come in contact with it and fall ill. Many people do plant it as it is an added attraction in their lawn. The ideal planting time for this tree is just after the spring and planting it after September should be avoided. The white oleander is very popular in Europe and can be found in mostly all lawns and parks. The huge contrast between the leaves and flowers of the white oleander as it gathers worldwide attention makes it impossible to miss.

Oleander Tree Care
The tree requires very little water to survive. Watering it twice a week is more than enough, it has also survived many drought conditions but drought also has many adverse effects on it like reduction in flower production and growth rate. If you have an oleander in your backyard, treating them with fertilizers may help the tree grow big and more flowery. Use a layer of compost under the plant in each spring. If you want to retain moisture and practice weed control, add a 2 inch layer of mulch. Use a balanced fertilizer that has phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium in equal quantities and follow the instructions printed on the package for using it. Watch for oleander caterpillars as they can destroy your tree within two weeks. Cut off affected leaves and branches and pick the caterpillars with your hands and place them in a plastic bag. If you want to kill these caterpillars, place this bag in a freezer for 24 hours or use a pesticide which contains bacillus thuringiensis. Before using the insecticide, read the package instructions carefully.

Pruning Oleander Trees
Pruning an oleander is very easy and proper pruning will reward you with a strong and healthy tree which will give you lots of blooms. The ideal season for pruning an oleander tree is September or early October. Cut the tree just above its leaf nodes, this is the section where new tree leaves sprout from the branches. Cutting the leaf nodes here forces a new branch to grow. Three new branches will grow where three new leaves were supposed to grow. Let those branches grow a little more and prune them again at the leaf nodes, you will again encourage the growth of new branches. This is how you get round and busy branches. Make sure your first pruning should be not excessive. These trees are resistant to heavy pruning, the more you prune the oleander, the more flowers it will give and more bushier it will become. Always wear protective eye gear and gloves while pruning oleander trees and avoid eating any unknown fruits that are found on plants and trees in your lawn as most of them could be poisonous and can cause many health complications.

In spite of all the poisonous properties that they possess, oleander trees are one of the most common trees in Europe and America. If you have small kids and pets in your house, make sure that they steer clear of this tree.