Torreya taxifolia
Plymouth, MASSACHUSETTS Private landowner, Joe Facendola
DECEMBER 2O24: Upon moving to Massachusetts, Joe Facendola brought with him 8 of his young Florida torreya seedlings that had recently been planted at his then-home near Wilmington, North Carolina. (Visit that original page to learn about his seed sources and planting strategy.) HABITAT: "It is in the coastal pine barrens habitat, so the yard is sand, oaks, pines, and some more sand." PLANTING STRATEGY:
"I immediately planted the 8 potted Torreyas I had moved with me from North Carolina. PHOTO LEFT is a 'grove' of 4 (only three visible). The remaining 4 I planted in loose groups of 2 along the perimeter of the yard, in locations where I would like some evergreen screening.
"They all have varying amount of oak canopy cover. I am holding on to the last potted one I have to plant in the spring, when I have a better idea of what else is growing around the yard and get a better handle on what warm-season sun exposure will be."JOE CONTINUES (December 2025): "There is a decent amount of wooded area behind the house and between all of the houses in the area. There is also a good amount of open/public land in the greater area.
"Wildcard are the deer. I planted a couple of smaller Thuja, and the deer have already been feasting. There are a couple of larger eastern white cedar in the yard that are not barren in the lower branches, so maybe the deer just found the emerald green foliage too much to resist.
"No signs of nibbling on any of the Torreya yet. Two of the eight are planted adjacent to the fenced area my dog uses to poop, so maybe that will help. The yard wildlife here seems much more accustomed to suburban life than what I was used to gardening with in NC."
