GORDONIA CULTURE 
The plants are rapid growers and respond well to any acid fertilizer. This, how¬ 
ever, should not be applied late in the season as the fall growth may winterkill. 
During the first two growing seasons the young plants should be staked and kept 
well-watered. As the bark of the Gordonia is tender and succulent, it is much 
relished by rabbits which may kill the trees in the winter; but it is a simple matter 
to prevent damage of this sort by putting chicken wire around the trees in the 
fall. Except to remove crossing branches and to train to a desired shape, Gordonia 
alatamaha does not require pruning. 
• • • 
GORDONIA ALATAMAHA — FRANKLIN’S TREE 
In the autumn of 1765 the botanist John Bartram stood on the banks of the 
Alatamaha River in Georgia; he was waiting for a boat to ferry him to an Indian 
trading post on the far shore. Ever alert for new specimens, his attention was 
suddenly fixed by a small spreading tree with foliage of dark shining green. 
This was the Gordonia alatamaha, or Franklin Tree, from which are descended all 
plants now in existence. The last wild specimen was seen in 1790. 
His son William wrote of it: 
“We never saw it grow in any other place, nor have I seen it growing 
wild in all my travels ... It is a flowering tree of first order for beauty and 
fragrance of blossom; the tree grows fifteen or twenty feet high, branching 
alternately; . . . the flowers are very large, expand themselves perfectly, are 
of a snow-white colour, and ornamented with a crown or tassel of gold- 
coloured refulgent staminae in their centre . . .” 
In the vicinity of Philadelphia the Gordonia blooms from late July until the 
first frosts, when its leaves turn a warm red-orange; it is thus a strikingly ornamental 
tree at any season. The Cheltenham Nurseries offer to the discriminating gardening 
public healthy plants suitable for spring planting. 
Gordonia alatamaha grows easily under proper conditions. It requires sun and 
a loose well-drained soil. It should be planted in the spring. Although its roots 
grow close to the surface they demand cool soil; this can best be affected by placing 
a mulch of peat moss or leaf-mold over the surface of the soil. 
• • • 
15" 
Gordonia .. 
. $2.00 
3' Bush Gordonia . 
.... $ 7.50 
2' 
Gordonia . 
. $3.00 
4' Gordonia . 
... $ 8.00 
2' 
Bush Gordonia . 
. $4.00 
5' Gordonia . 
... $10.00 
3' 
Gordonia . 
. $5.00 
Specimen Gordonia ... 
... $15.00 
