Tropical trees fall into the realm of elegance and need specific environmental conditions to flourish. If you want to plant and/or farm tropical trees, you must live in a tropical area, free of cold winters. Use the following guidelines to help you on your way to creating an environment where tropical trees will grow, year-round.

There are four conditions you need to follow in order to have optimal growth of tropical trees: sunlight, good drainage, regular irrigation, and occasional fertilization. If any of these conditions cannot be met, the tropical tree's growth will be adversely affected. Many tropical trees will find a way to survive if an area is lacking, but they will suffer.

Most tropical trees grow faster and perform to the highest standard when placed in full, direct sunlight. When planning your tropical tree location, keep in mind that, at the minimum, the tree will need four hours of daily sunshine pressing into its branches and leaves. Sunshine brings happiness to trees. The more sunshine in a tree's day, the happier it will be and the more plentiful will be its growth. If a tree grows in an environment of fragmented sunlight, or partial sun, the tree's growth?branches, vines, needles, shoots, root structures?will all slow down.

If, for example, you are planting tropical bamboo species, and the sunlight is fragmented, then the number of shoots that grow will diminish. Some bamboo will stretch out their internodes if grown under the canopy of other tropical trees. Each tropical plant and tree has one main objective: hog up as much sunlight as possible.

With this constant sunlight, tropical trees need proper nutrients. They need lots of water. Water them daily during the early stages of a tropical tree's life cycle. Consider using an irrigation system for best results. Certain tropical trees get the best start by being immersed in water constantly. You can wean off on the watering as your trees grow, gain strength and feed off that direct, constant field of sunlight.

The abundant water cycling necessary for tropical trees needs a place to go. Even tropical trees can drown. Proper drainage is just as necessary as your irrigation plans. Also, keep in mind that many tropical trees won't survive if planted in muck or boggy conditions. The rhizome and root systems don't like bogs or swamp-like settings. So, with good drainage, you can avoid creating mucky soil conditions. One thing to keep in mind is to build up what is known as a small berm. Then plant your trees in this hilltop area so that the excess water can only drain to lower ground cover.

Fertilizer is necessary in the diet of your tropical trees. Visit your local nursery or horticultural shop to discover the best fertilizer. Many tropical trees and plants grow best if they are given time-released fertilizer.

Compost and mulch are the easiest way to preserve the life of healthy tropical trees. If you purchase fresh, uncomposted mulch, fertilize first, then mulch. Also, remember this: don't use weed-and-feed fertilizer.Once your tree enters the third year of its life cycle, pruning may be necessary. See your nursery experts to answer further questions on the fertilization process and pruning back tree branches.