I have had a mother tree for 2 years now, it's about 15 foot tall, and produced bananas last year. The only thing is I don't know what kind of tree it is, it looks very similar to the Basjoo tree, but I am unsure. But I have several questions.
1. Once it produces bananas is it done.
2. We live in Illinois, can it stay out year round, we have been bringing them in.
3. Are the banana ok to eat.
4. Do they grow better close together or farther apart.
Any other information that could help would be great.
I also have another tree that looks the same but it is dark Red...Does anyone know what kind of tree that is?

Thanks

I have stunning pictures of this tree if anyone would like to check it out, so maybe they would know what it was....Thanks So Much

I would like to see the pictures of the trees you. Where in Illinois are you located, because I am also from Illinois.

Well I wanted to say in relation to your first post. The banana tree's first mission is to propagate pups (otherwise known as babies) before the tree will fruit. So I am assuming if you have fruit then you have pups. So when you see pups you know fruit is on the way, and you want to let the pups stay with the main tree till they are at least 2-3 ft tall. By doing so this will ensure that the pups have a sound root structure to maintain on their own when you remove them. So after your pups are at least 2-3 ft tall you remove them mainly so that the tree will focus more on producing fruit then pups. Once the tree has bore fruit and it has been harvested it should be cut down and used as mulch, because it should not bare fruit again. No as far as leaving them out all year round there are some varieties that are hardy for our climate in ILL but I do not recommend leaving them outside year round. So I would continue to bring them in as you have been doing. Depending on the variety you have they may be edible, but I would have to see the pics or tree's to determine that. As far growing them together, depending on how big the leaves fan I would spread them apart allowing both to get a great view of the sun. I am currently growing 3 different varieties of banana tree's of my own. Best of Luck !