Soapberry trees

[tmfinley]

Does anyone know anything about soapberry trees or Sapindus Saponaria or Sapindus drummondii? I am very interested in getting some to use as soap. I am getting conflicting answers from the internet on how well they will grow in sand. Some sites say not well others say these trees will grow anywhere. They are native to Texas, which is where I am located, but there is nothing but sugar sand on my property. Also, I don't know if I will be able to find transplants around here, but I found some seeds online. Anyone have experience starting them from seed?

Tiffany

[Old Vet]

Originally Posted by tmfinley

Does anyone know anything about soapberry trees or Sapindus Saponaria or Sapindus drummondii? I am very interested in getting some to use as soap. I am getting conflicting answers from the internet on how well they will grow in sand. Some sites say not well others say these trees will grow anywhere. They are native to Texas, which is where I am located, but there is nothing but sugar sand on my property. Also, I don't know if I will be able to find transplants around here, but I found some seeds online. Anyone have experience starting them from seed?

Tiffany

The Sapindus drummondi grows in areas that are usualy asoacted with lime-stone outcrops. it is grown from southwestern Mo and ajestant Ks acros Ar, Ok, and Tx and to northern Mexico. The main uses is for baskets for fruits and vegatables.
This is from a book called Trees Of Arkansas. You can oredr this book from the Arkansas Forestry Commision at 501-269-1940. It only cost about $10 but is a good book for identifieng trees and their uses.
Call your state foretry commision nusery and get them to go through the plainting procedures for that tree.

[Lindafisk]

Oh, I am so glad you posted this question! I thought it sounded interesting and did a quick search and on this page... http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/bio406d/im..._saponaria.htm there are a few pics of the tree and what the fruit looks like.

I saw several of them in downtown Dallas at Pioneer Plaza where they have all these huge longhorn sculptures in a park setting- http://www.uncommondays.com/states/t...attledrive.htm

I had actually picked a few of the fruits and wondered what on earth they were! I was going to try and grow some from seed but never got around to finding out what they were!

So if you are not too far, maybe you could go sightseeing and pick a few for yourself and try to start them! LOL I am going to look for the ones I picked that day......

[Sand Flat Bob]

Originally Posted by tmfinley

Does anyone know anything about soapberry trees or Sapindus Saponaria or Sapindus drummondii? I am very interested in getting some to use as soap. I am getting conflicting answers from the internet on how well they will grow in sand. Some sites say not well others say these trees will grow anywhere. They are native to Texas, which is where I am located, but there is nothing but sugar sand on my property. Also, I don't know if I will be able to find transplants around here, but I found some seeds online. Anyone have experience starting them from seed?

Tiffany

Don't know where in Texas you are, but I am close to Cleburne and we planted a transplant soapberry which was about 4 feet tall, almost 10 years ago, and it is about 15 feet tall now, sure not a shade tree, not that much foliage. We have sandy soil. I would not plant another one. Still no berries, might be a male tree.

Bob