(Heavy feeding can encourage this.)

Fronds is a large specialist Fern Nursery specialising in New Zealand Ferns - tree ferns and ground ferns.

The fronds have a coarse, leathery texture; and the upper trunk and fronds have reddish brown hairs. Species from this region include Cyathea muelleri, gleichenoides, macgregori, and tomentosissima. The crown, then, is the most vulnerable part of the plant: if it is destroyed, the fern will not be able to grow any more fronds (except in those species that produce offsets). Australia also contains two other rare Dicksonias.

Although I can recall little from that trip today, one lasting memory I retained was one of gazing in awe at ferns that grew tall trunks and held their fronds high above my head.

Other Australian Cyatheas worth trying include Queensland's C. celebica, which is a little bit hardier to cold than C. cooperi; and C. leichhardtiana, a forest dweller from the Southeast which is commonly ignored in cultivation though it may be quite hardy. I have now grown tree ferns in Olympia, Washington for several years, and researched many tree fern species extensively.

It has attractive black stipes (the word for fern petioles) and a dark crown, and the fronds may exceed 12' in length.

Anyone desiring to learn more about tree ferns, and see many more pictures, may visit my Dicksonia squarrosa at Fancy Fronds in Gold Bar, WA.Cyathea smithii near MacLean Falls, New Zealand. This slow-growing, hardy tree fern reaches a height of 15 feet with a 9-12 foot spread.

Now for a wider overview of tree fern species we may eventually have to choose from for our gardens.

The two tree fern species you are most likely to encounter in Pacific Northwest gardens and nurseries are Cyathea cooperi (sold as the 'Australian tree fern') and Dicksonia antarctica (sold as the 'Tasmanian tree fern' ('Tasmanian' is a bit misleading since this species grows throughout the mainland of temperate southeast Australia also). Some Cyatheas such as C. cunninghamii and C. smithii require shade and shelter from wind and exposure to thrive. It somewhat resembles D. antarctica, but with yellow rather than red hairs. A great choice for a tropical effect in a small area. Because tree ferns leave their root-covered trunks exposed to the air, the trunk is very vulnerable to drying out, though drought tolerance varies from species to species. Tree ferns are beautiful plants and I hope I have encouraged more of you to try growing them. Dicksonia antarctica is hardy enough to grow here with basic protection methods. Grow in shade, sun or indoors. Our tree nursery ships to all states and only sells grade A plants.

However, protecting tree ferns from winter cold needn't be overly difficult if you stick with the hardiest species.

In the wild it is a forest-dwelling species preferring a sheltered spot, but it is able to adapt to some exposure. That is not quite a complete overview of all possible tree ferns worth trying in the Pacific Northwest. At a young age it looks like a normal fern. The fronds can grow 8 feet long. Whether or not this information rings true in our environment can only be ascertained by experience over time. I would recommend this species as an excellent tree fern for gardeners wishing to introduce themselves to tree ferns, since it is relatively easy to grow and not too difficult to find in nurseries.

Australian Tree Fern (Cyathea cooperi), This huge growing tree fern forms trunks 6' thick and can grow 30' high. The really adventurous tree fern enthusiast may wish to try C. brownii, from Norfolk Island, which can grow to 100' tall; or C. robusta or C. howeana from Lord Howe Island.

ferns, ferns, ferns plus specimen trees and fruit trees!!!

The Tree Fern Dicksonia antarctica or soft tree fern is the fern that can be harvested with licence.

Ferns and Trees Ferns. They add a decidedly lush exotic character to any space, be it under eaves or in atriums. It also shelters the plant from strong winds, which may damage or dry out the fronds. If the fronds are lost in the winter, it will produce a whole new 'flush' of fronds at once in the spring, as long as the crown has not been killed by freezing.