Trochodendron aralioide or Wheel Tree is an evergreen tree or shrub from Asia and the only surviving species in the genus. It grows 10-20 feet tall and wide and taller if pruned as a tree. In its native habitat it can grow to a height of up to 60 feet with a trunk diameter of up to 16 feet. In cultivation, its size will be much smaller, especially in cool climates. It will grow in full sun in a variety of soil types, however will preform at its best when grown in a loam based soil in dappled shade. Its name is derived from Greek words, trochos means wheel, while dendron mean tree. When it is flowering, numerous stamens spread out like spokes in a wheel. In the wild, it can begin life as a growth on the trunk of a Japanese cedar and grow in a shrubby form for several years. The leathery glossy leaves are in whorls around the terminal bud giving it an umbrella-like appearance. Spring flowers are greenish star-shaped flowers in clusters. The growth rate is slow. It will grow in full sun but does best with some afternoon shade or even dappled shade. Grow in moist fertile well-drained loams and give it protection from winds. It will tolerate some flooding but not drought. Wheel Tree may be difficult to find for sale but could be used as a specimen shrub, understory tree or a tree for light shade. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease issues. Protect from strong winds. Once it is established, it is quite difficult to relocate. Many years may pass before flowering takes place.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Horizontal; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenate; Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Textured leaves are up to 6 inches long and 2 to 2-3/4 inches wide, ovate to elliptical with crenate margins. They are leathery and glossy and grow in clusters or whorls around the terminal bud with much of the branch bare. Dark green leaves with paler undersides. Fall color can be bronze with reddish highlights.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme; Raceme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The small flowers have no petals or sepals. Separate male and female flowers. Male flowers are purple and female greenish flowers on erect racemes up to 5" in late spring with follicles in clusters. Each raceme can contain 10 to 20 flowers.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Green
Fruit type
Capsule; Follicle
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is a woody star-shaped capsule composed of 4-11 follicles up to 3/4". Seeds will form after the flowers have bloomed.
Bark color
Light Gray
Bark detail
The aromatic bark lacks vessels, looking more like a conifer than a broadleaf tree.