Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree: 5 Odd Differences vs Pink Mimosa Tree

Close up image of summer chocolate mimosa tree centered in a green oval frame to highlight the difference with pink Mimosa tree flowers.

A summer chocolate mimosa tree and a pink mimosa tree have similar characteristics; however, they also have some distinct features.

This difference leaves many people confused. In fact, there are five major differences between the two trees.

The summer Chocolate Mimosa isn’t a tree with cocoa beans…and it’s definitely not a pink mimosa tree, so what is it?

The pink mimosa does not live long (about 25 years) and blooms for about two months (May to July) in a year. On the other hand, the summer chocolate mimosa tree also lives for almost 20 years and blooms during summer every year.

Here’s how these two trees differ from one another.

#1. Mimosa Leaf Color

The Pink Mimosa Tree is a beautiful shade of pink and is the perfect addition to any garden. The Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree is also lovely. It has a unique burgundy chocolate shade caused by how the sap flows from its trunk.

Summer chocolate mimosa tree identification chart showing its leaves, flowers, tree, seeds and bark in oval frames.

(Leaves, Seeds, and Flower Image: Famartin10 and Tree and Bark Image: Famartin11 )

The leaves of both trees look similar but differ in color. The summer chocolate mimosa tree leaves have a shade of dark burgundy, due to which it gets its name. The leaves of the pink mimosa Tree are bright green.

#2. Mimosa Tree Trunks

The summer chocolate mimosa tree trunk grows up to 20 feet but can also be found in smaller sizes. The bark is dark green and smooth, with a slight tinge of pink near the base of the trunk or crown. The leaves are large, glossy, and dark green at first, before turning a deep red color in autumn for up to eight months before dying.

Related Reading: Why Invasive Mimosa Trees Are One Of The Top Silk Trees For Sale

The pink mimosa tree has a much smaller range of growth than its cousin – only reaching up to 12 feet tall. It is also less common than its larger counterpart: only found in parts of Asia and Africa where temperatures are cooler than usual for this species. The green leaves turn brown over time before dying completely off during winter (only to return in spring).

#3. Chocolate and Pink Mimosa Tree Roots

The Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree’s roots are characterized by their small size and round, a unique feature for trees. The root system produces small tubers that are grayish-yellow. The plant reproduces through spores and seeds, which can be found on its branches and trunk.

The Pink Mimosa Tree’s roots are made up of large, hardened tubes covered in a layer of mucus. Each root is about 2-3 inches in diameter. The roots are white, but the inside is dark pink or red.

#4. Mimosa Tree Leaves and Flowers

The Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree and the Mimosa Tree are both tropical plants, but they look nothing alike. The Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree is a small tree with pink leaves and dark burgundy leaves, while the Mimosa Tree has tiny green leaves that cover its entire body. The Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree leaves are also much shinier than those of the Mimosa Tree.

Close up of a pink mimosa tree blossom at night, with delicate pink wands tipped with green, and a dark green mimosa leaf inthe foreground.

(Image: gary_williams5)

The flowers of both types of trees are very different from each other. The Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree flowers have many layers of petals, while those of the Mimosa Tree only have one or two petals. In addition to this difference in flower structure, the flowers look very different.

Related Reading: How many trees are in the United States?

While the Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree flowers are colorful and often have bright yellow or orange coloring in their center, those of the Mimosa Tree look duller and do not have any bright colors inside.

#5. Differences Between Mimosa Tree vs Powder Puff Tree

There are a lot of similarities between mimosa trees and powder puff trees, but there are also some critical differences. Both trees have beautiful flowers, but they also have some key distinctions you need to know about.

The most apparent difference between mimosa trees and powder puff trees is the shape of their leaves. Mimosa leaves are flat and appear to be made up of many tiny blades that curl downward. Powderpuff leaves are shaped like miniature versions of the tree, with large branches that grow out from the trunk at a 45-degree angle.

Facts About MimosasSummer Chocolate MimosaPink Mimosa Tree
Mimosa Tree RootsSmall and roundLarge tubes (2-3 inches in diameter)
Mimosa Leaf ColorBurgundyBright green
Mimosa Tree TrunkUp to 20 feet tallUp to 12 feet tall
Mimosa Tree AgeUp to 20 yearsUp to 25 years
Mimosa Tree FloweringMay to JuneEvery summer

What Are Some Facts About Chocolate Mimosa Tree?

The Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree (Albizia julibrissin)2 is a beautiful tree that can grow to be around 20 feet tall. This tree is native to Mexico but has recently been introduced to Africa and South America. It is a deciduous flowering tree that produces edible leaves and flowers.

Close up image of a Pink Mimosa Tree with its branch and pink spiky flower and green leaves.

(Image: Thanush S6)

Each leaf of the Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree looks bronze-green and is wide umbrella-shaped. The flowers are small and pink. They bloom during summer before turning into ripe red berries by late summer or early autumn. The bark is smooth with dark brown lenticels (small bumps) throughout and has shallow furrows running vertically down its trunk. Its bark may turn grayish tan with age or become brown and flaky if the tree is healthy enough for this change in appearance.

What Is the Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree Height?

The Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree Height is a 20-foot tree.

Related Reading: How many types of palm trees are there?

What Is the Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree Hardiness Zone?

The Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree is a hardy tree, which means it’s an excellent choice for landscaping. This particular tree grows best at a temperature of around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average minimum of 5 degrees lower than that. It can handle temperatures as low as 20 degrees below zero.

Related Reading: How many trees are planted each year?

It grows in USDA zones 8 & 9.

How To Identify the Summer Chocolate Mimosa Strain

Tree strains are generally characterized by their aroma and taste. They can also vary in THC content, making them useful for both recreational and medical users.

The Summer Chocolate Mimosa is a sativa-dominant hybrid strain that is capable of producing THC levels between 15 and 20%. The strain has a sweet smell and taste, with a flavor reminiscent of ripe fruit. The buds have a thin layer of crystals, which give the bud an earthy scent.

What Is the Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree Problems?

The summer chocolate mimosa tree is a genus of evergreen trees that grows from Mexico to Bolivia. Their large, flat leaves characterize them. Their bark is dark, and their branches have cones containing seeds.

Close up image of Pink Mimosa tree and its silky pink flower threads and wide spreading branches and green leaves.

(Image: Sven Aeberhard7)

The summer chocolate mimosa tree’s roots can be poisonous if eaten in large amounts. The plant produces an alkaloid called fumaric acid that causes inflammation in the mouth and throat. This can be fatal if left untreated.

Where To Find Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree Seeds

Summer Chocolate Mimosa Tree seeds are available at some of the larger nurseries and other gardening supply stores.

You can also find them online, but most sites have limited availability or shipping costs, making them more expensive than buying from a local source.

How Fast Does a Chocolate Mimosa Tree Grow to Maturity?

The growth of a summer chocolate mimosa tree3 can be accelerated by planting it in the shade, but you should also consider how much sun it gets. It grows about one inch daily and is said to be one of the fastest-growing trees. You can also check the maturity of your tree. A plant monitor is the best way to determine how fast your tree will grow. It is a tool used for measuring the growth and development of plants.

The first step in determining how quickly your tree will mature is to measure its height. This can be done by simply standing back from the plant and measuring its trunk from one side to another. Then multiply this measurement by three to get an average height for all branches and roots.

Next, you will want to measure the circumference around each branch and root using a piece of string tied at least five feet long. Then measure the circumference of each root with a ruler or tape measure before adding both measurements together and dividing by three. This will give you an average circumference for each branch and root. Finally, add up all three numbers and divide them by ten to get an approximate number of years it will take your plant to reach maturity based on its current size.

Are Chocolate Mimosa Trees Messy to Have?

Summer Chocolate Mimosa Trees are not messier than the average tree. However, they do have some issues with the soil and may need to be replanted every year or two.

Summer Chocolate Mimosa Trees grow in groups of three to five trees per tree patch in the wild. These patches can be found at the base of large trees, such as oaks, pines, and maples. These trees spend most of their time in full sun and are quite drought-tolerant once established.

An image showing a close-up view of Mimosa Tree flowers, with their distinctive fluffy, thread-like pink and white blossoms contrasting against the lush green fern-like leaves.

(Image: daledbet8)

They do not require much water once established (they are susceptible to root rot if provided with too much water), but they must be fertilized regularly to maintain good health and prevent diseases from appearing in their leaves or trunks.

Is the Chocolate Mimosa an Invasive Species?

The summer chocolate mimosa is invasive, but not because it threatens the environment. Invasive species are plants and animals introduced by humans into environments outside their natural ranges. They can also be an issue if they cause problems for native plants and animals, like the summer chocolate mimosa.

The summer chocolate mimosa is a plant found throughout much of North America but prefers warm climates and dry conditions. The plant is also known to grow quickly and spread rapidly, making it difficult to control in areas where it’s already established.

Since it grows so quickly, this plant has become an issue in many parts of the world where people live near forests or meadows. It can take over these areas by crowding out other plants and creating dense stands that choke out other plants growth.

Where Can I Find Chocolate Mimosa Tree for Sale?

The first place is a local nursery. If you live in a small town or rural area, there are likely to be local nurseries that sell plants and trees. The second place is an online retailer. Many online retailers sell plants and trees, usually cheaper than local nurseries

The third place is a local garden center or home gardening store. Several online stores will help in delivering these plants to your home.

However, using a local nursery is the best option, because you reduce the carbon footprint of the purchase when choosing a local grower.

Why Should You Not Plant a Mimosa Tree?

If you are considering planting a mimosa tree,1 you may want to reconsider. Mimosa trees are not native to North America, and their invasive nature is well-documented. The problem with mimosas is that they can be challenging to control once established in an area. They can spread quickly and infest large areas of land, crowding out native species and damaging ecosystems.

Mimosa trees are also very tall – up to 50 feet tall – and tend to grow very quickly. This means if you plant one as a new addition to your landscape, it will likely take over the space where other plants would otherwise be able to grow naturally. It also means blocking sunlight from reaching many other plants in your yard. This could impact how much sun they receive and how well they survive.

While many tree planting for carbon offset programs tout the benefits of planting any trees anywhere, make sure that if you decide to invest that you choose a carbon offset company that works toward reforestation of native species. The mimosa tree would not be a good candidate to plant for an offset in North America, but would be a great addition to any of its native regions.

If you decide to plant a mimosa tree, spend time researching how it grows before letting it take over your landscape or threatening native species.

Are Pink Mimosa Trees Poisonous?

Pink Mimosa Trees are not poisonous. In fact, they’re quite the opposite! The Pink Mimosa tree is one of the most beautiful trees you can grow in your yard or garden. The tree bears gorgeous pink flowers in the spring, and their leaves turn a vibrant green in the fall. They grow to be 12-15 feet tall and have a lifespan of up to 50 years.

Close up image of a Pink Mimosa tree with its branches, pink silky thread flowers and green leaves.

(Image: Uthpala Shyamendra9)

Another significant difference is the size of the fruit produced by each type of tree. Mimosa fruits are small and round; they range in size from 1/2 inch to an inch in diameter. Powder puff fruits are larger – up to 2 inches wide – and can weigh up to 2 pounds each.

What Are Some of the Most Common Mimosa Tree Problems?

The mimosa tree is a beautiful and versatile plant, but it can also be a problem for homeowners. Mimosa trees are susceptible to several issues affecting their growth, health, and appearance. Here are some of the most common issues with mimosas:

  • Dry soil
  • Weak root system
  • Poor drainage
  • Too much water

What Is the Best Way to Save a Dying Mimosa Tree?

The best way to save a mimosa tree is to remove it from the area where it’s dying. Mimosa trees are known for their ability to tolerate a great deal of heat, and they’re able to survive both drought and periods of excessive rain. So if you move them, you’ll probably be able to keep other mimosa trees alive, too.

If you can’t move the mimosa tree yourself, consider cutting off a branch from it and planting it in another location. This will help ensure that at least one mimosa tree survives in your yard.

What Is the Reason for Mimosa Tree Leaves Curling?

Mimosa tree4 leaves curl due to the effects of changing seasons. The tree is native to tropical regions and is a very fast-growing plant. It grows in tropical areas where temperatures are high, with minimal variation in temperature throughout the year. When it grows in areas with cold winters, it will often grow back its leaves during these periods. However, this can cause the leaves to curl.

Understanding the differences between the chocolate mimosa tree and the pink mimosa tree can help gardeners make informed decisions about what to plant and where.


References

1Alabama A&M University and Auburn University. (2021, June 29). The Mimosa Tree: Beautiful But Invasive. Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Retrieved July 28, 2022, from <https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry-wildlife/the-mimosa-tree-beautiful-but-invasive/>

2N.C. Cooperative Extension. (2022). Albizia julibrissin. The North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved July 28, 2022, from <https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/albizia-julibrissin/>

3University of Florida. (2021, January 8). Mimosa Tree. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions. Retrieved July 28, 2022, from <https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weeds-and-invasive-plants/mimosa-trees.html>

4Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2022, April 11). Mimosa. Wikipedia. Retrieved July 28, 2022, from <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimosa>

5gary_williams. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/no/photos/mimosa-v%c3%a5r-blomst-rosa-blomstre-7283401/>

6Thanush S. Unsplash. Retrieved from <https://unsplash.com/photos/OnF3I3RPLT8>

7Sven Aeberhard. Unsplash. Retrieved from <https://unsplash.com/photos/IDo3SPNqoSA>

8daledbet. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/photos/mimosa-pink-tree-blooming-flowers-5401269/>

9Uthpala Shyamendra. Unsplash. Retrieved from <https://unsplash.com/photos/RoRoAQTSnEU>

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2019-06-23 13 32 14 Mimosa-Silk Tree ‘Summer Chocolate’ leaves and flowers along Applegrove Court in the Franklin Farm section of Oak Hill, Fairfax County, Virginia Photo by Famartin / CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED | Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International. Cropped, Resized, Changed Format. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved March 1, 2024, from

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112019-06-23 13 33 23 Mimosa-Silk Tree ‘Summer Chocolate’ blooming along Applegrove Court in the Franklin Farm section of Oak Hill, Fairfax County, Virginia Photo by Famartin / CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED | Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International. Cropped, Resized, Changed Format. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved March 1, 2024, from <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2019-06-23_13_33_23_Mimosa-Silk_Tree_%27Summer_Chocolate%27_blooming_along_Applegrove_Court_in_the_Franklin_Farm_section_of_Oak_Hill,_Fairfax_County,_Virginia.jpg>