The Bottle Tree

Three of these stand post outside our apartment complex. These are my wood brothers. Why? Because like one guide book points out, the tree "revels in heat." (Plants for Dry Climates, 59)
Quick facts:
Latin name: Brachychiton populneus
Growth: Fast, 20 feet in 5 years
Pros for the yard: rustles like a poplar, sparkles in the sun. Good background or screen or side wall with rows of these. Has cool little brown boat seed pods. Needs little maintenance. If I were planning my yard, I'd put a row of these on the west side of the yard or house where they wave reflective sunlight to anyone in sight as the sun is setting.
Cons for the yard: Just can't take the cold