Comments on: Eric’s Pet Plant – Australian Tree-fern (Cyathea cooperi)

By: Linda Byrd

Linda Byrd — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:23:38 +0000

When and how do you prune the tree ferns?

Hi Linda,
Sorry to say the answers are “never” and “don’t.” Please see Eric’s advice to your fellow questioner, below.

By: Fred Garcia

Fred Garcia — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 22:53:16 +0000

My tree fern is now some eight feet tall. Is there a way trim it back, lower it, and have it be ok? I asked my local nursery and they said cutting the truck would/ could kill it. Want to possibly cut back as it now over the garage. Hoping you get back to me, Fred

Unfortunately your nursery is correct. Reducing the size of a tree fern is ending its life. Start or buy a new one and plant it nearby, thus ensuring that when the offending specimen comes down, you have a larger replacement.
Eric

By: doorothy

doorothy — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 22:54:30 +0000

I was given two lovely australian tree ferns, right before a cold snap hit the south! I had no room indoors. They are on a screened porch. All the fronds turne brown. Icut them off. Will I see new frons appear soon?

Welcome, Doorothy,
and I wish I had more encouraging news, but everything depends on how cold the snap was and how long it lasted. C. cooperi is sub-tropical, likely to perish at temps in the 30′s even above freezing, so your plants are probably goners. That said, if the ferns are in big pots and you’re in zone 9 b or warmer, might as well wait and see what happens. Individual plants can be tougher than they have any right to be.
Good luck!
Leslie

By: Eric Larson

Eric Larson — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:58:10 +0000

First to answer Manohar, Cyathea and Dicksonia are very closely related, both being in the Cyatheacea family. Beyond that, I could only say that Dicksonia is more primitive, a more ancient plant. (Have you heard Cole Porter’s song, “I Want a Primitive Man?”) I don’t know if the hairs on Dicksonia fibrosa are as difficult as on Cyathea, but they could only be half as bad and still be disruptive to the pruning and general handling process. Tracy, don’t let that discourage you, though. I’m not sure of the plants cold hardiness, but I have seen forests of them growing way up in elevation in Hawaii, where it gets quite cold at night. Put one in a pot and move it in during the coldest cold snaps. Just wear something you got at goodwill and then throw the garment away: the hairs get in the laundry too. Good luck, all!

By: Tracy Maclean

Tracy Maclean — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:30:48 +0000

Just how bad are the hairs, I have been considering a tree fern for the front porch, but it would have to be moved for the winter. What is the temperature range for these strange critters. I live in Central Texas about 45 miles SW of Austin?

By: Manohar

Manohar — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 02:26:20 +0000

Hi!
What’s the difference between Dicksonia Fibrosa and the Australian Cyathea cooperi?
Thanks.

By: dan kleck

dan kleck — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:51:01 +0000

Can I cut an Austr. tree fern back at/near the ground? Mine are too tall, but I don’t want to damage them…just get them back into the shade below.

By: Eric Larson

Eric Larson — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:04:38 +0000

I’m not sure how one would control the spores. Disrupting that part of the plant’s physiognomy, especially the ‘ancient’ plants might be an interesting subject for Monsanto to take on. (Only kidding: no money in THAT research, as opposed to the so-called ‘suicide seed’)
As for sources for Cyathea cooperi, Dave Garinger, our Tropical Plant Curator, says that this species is the most common, and is available on-line, which is where he gets it when he needs a replacement. Which I should say isn’t often. Our trees have produced numerous spores, which germinate with alacrity.

By: roger onstine

roger onstine — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 01:03:05 +0000

where can cyathea cooperi be burchased, i’m stoked.

By: Chance

Chance — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:43:29 +0000

Have an Australian tree fern growing for about 5 years was 2 ft, now 12ft+. The spores are ridiculous, can watch them fall even after blasting the ting with water. Makes a mess! Any ideas on how to control the spores?

Yes it’s Summer.. It’s going NUTZ!!!!!