Calophyllum Trees, Delivered and Planted in SW Florida
Calophyllum, also sold as beautyleaf, is a dense evergreen shade tree that does well in coastal and warm SW Florida yards, with polished, leathery leaves, small sweet-smelling white flowers and good salt and wind tolerance. Species vary and some are watched for spreading, so it belongs in managed landscapes. We deliver and plant 25 gallon trees.
- Light:
- Full sun
- Water:
- Moderate; regular water until established, then fairly drought tolerant
- Salt:
- Moderate to high, depending on species
Calophyllum Tree sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Plant | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Calophyllum Tree | 25 Gallon |
Calophyllum Tree in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- Typically 30 to 50 ft tall with a dense, rounded crown 20 to 40 ft wide; it varies by species
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate; regular water until established, then fairly drought tolerant
- Salt tolerance
- Moderate to high, depending on species
- Cold tolerance
- Tender. Leaves and tender shoots burn near 30°F and a hard freeze can kill young trees; protect young trees inland
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Florida native
- No
Where Calophyllum Tree works in a SW Florida yard
Use calophyllum as a dense shade tree or a tall wind and privacy buffer on a larger lot, along a drive, or at a canal or coastal edge where salt and wind burn softer trees.
Keep fallen fruit off pool decks and walks, and keep it away from preserve edges. Cast iron plant, liriope and bromeliads fill the shaded ground beneath it.
- Dense shade tree
- Coastal and canal lots
- Wind and privacy buffer
- Fragrant flowering evergreen
How our crew plants it
Dig a hole two to three times as wide as the 25 gallon root ball and no deeper, with the root flare at soil level. Plant 15 to 20 feet from the house, pool and utility lines, and stake the tree for the first year.
Our crew waters it in and cleans up. Lee and Collier allow extra watering on new plantings.
Care after planting
- Water regularly through the first year, then let an established tree rely mostly on rain and your assigned irrigation days.
- Feed in spring and fall with a balanced fertilizer plus micronutrients, and skip June 1 to September 30 in Lee County, Naples and Marco Island.
- Prune for structure while young, and thin the crown rather than topping it ahead of hurricane season.
- Protect young trees with frost cloth on freeze nights inland.
- Rake up fallen fruit and pull seedlings promptly.
What to watch for
- Some calophyllum species spread by seed in South Florida: UF/IFAS rates Santa Maria calophyllum 'caution' and SFWMD lists Brazilian beautyleaf as invasive, so we plant it only in managed landscapes and suggest gumbo limbo or live oak beside preserves and mangroves.
- The round fruit is not edible and its seed may be poisonous, so keep fallen fruit away from children and pets.
Calophyllum Tree questions we hear
Is calophyllum invasive in Florida?+
It depends on the species. UF/IFAS rates Santa Maria (Calophyllum antillanum) 'caution' in South Florida, and SFWMD lists Brazilian beautyleaf (C. brasiliense) as invasive, while beautyleaf (C. inophyllum) is not rated a problem. Plant it in a managed yard, away from preserves and mangroves, and ask which species is in stock.
How fast does calophyllum grow, and how big does it get?+
Growth is moderate, not fast. Most reach 30 to 50 feet tall with a dense crown 20 to 40 feet wide, though size varies by species. Give it room, 15 to 20 feet from the house and pool, and expect it to take years to fill out.
Is calophyllum good for hurricanes and salt spray?+
It is one of the sturdier shade trees. UF/IFAS rates a Calophyllum species medium to high for wind resistance, and several species handle salt spray well. Thin the crown while it is young, stake new trees and plant away from structures. No tree is storm proof.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on Calophyllum Tree
Tell us what and how many. Quinten prices it from the nursery's live list and texts you back, usually within the hour during the day.
Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
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We deliver and plant across Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs and about an hour around.