Pitch Apple (Clusia rosea)

Plant Creations Inc. Nursery  Pitch Apple Clusia rosea

Common Name Pitch Apple; Autograph Tree

Latin Name Clusia rosea

Family Guttiferae

Native Yes

Zone  10-11 

Height 30 Feet

Spread 15-25 feet 

Salt Water Tolerance High

Salt Wind Tolerance High

Drought Tolerance High 

Soil  Well drained clay or sand

Sun Full Sun/Light Shade

Wildlife Attractant Butterflies, Birds, & Bees

Main Uses

Due to its density and height, the Clusia rosea is often planted as a shade tree where it can create a nice canopy in your garden.  It tends to have aggressive roots, so planting the C. rosea where it has room to grow is the best option.  Many have used this small tree as a screen or border for privacy. 

Its shiny, leathery leaves offer great texture to your landscape. It is a very salt and wind tolerant tree, making this a great addition to either a hammock or coastal garden. 

Appearance

The Pitch Apple can grow up to 30 feet high with large shiny/leathery leaves.  The leaves measure 7-8 inches long and 5 inches wide with a yellow mid vein. Its flowers are white to pink in color and measure around 3 inches. 

The fruit is a 3-inch green pod that splits open to reveal black seeds.  The Pitch apple is a nice dense tree that offer great shade, but make sure to plant it in an area where it gets full sun to partial shade. 

Wildlife Attractant

The Pitch Apple offers great food and cover to wildlife.  It attracts butterflies, birds, and bees. Its dense foliage creates a wonderful cover for animals. 

Plant Creations Inc. Nursery  Pitch Apple Clusia rosea