I have recently purchased a Silk tree. I am a little concerned about the invasive nature of this tree. Is this a problem in the Greater Vancouver area.
Albizia julibrissin (silk tree) does not appear to be weedy in the Vancouver area, despite its bad reputation south of the border. Presumably, it isn't weedy because we lack the heat necessary to produce a good seed set, and our cold, wet soils aren't conducive to overwintering seeds. Where intelligently sited, albizia is a fabulous tree in the Vancouver area, growing to more than 10m tall with a broad, open crown. Although it is one of the last trees to leaf out (some gardeners have been known to dig it up thinking it was dead in late May), this is a real advantage if spring perennials are grown beneath the canopy. Silk tree needs very good drainage and full sunlight (such as it is in Vancouver). Once established, it adapts very well to our summer-dry climate and does not require supplemental irrigation.
