The Hawthorn flowers in May hence one of its common names. Gnarled old trunks give testimony to the Hawthorn’s ability to survive in exposed windy conditions. The thorns help make the tree a good hedging subject.

Key Features of the Hawthorn

• Latin name – Crataegus Monogyna other common names May, Quickthorn, Whitethorn or Thornapple
• Height – 33 feet-
• Type of tree – deciduous
• Leaves – deeply lobed glossy green leaves
• Flowers – Dense clusters of creamy white borne on shoots
• Fruit – Oval red pome (Berry)half inch wide
• Bark – Brown with shallow ridges
• Family – Rosaceae,

Origins and Distribution of the Hawthorn

• Native to Europe.
• Grows in temperate regions of North America.

Uses and Attributes of the Hawthorn

• Used for hedging to keep animals and divide land.
• Thought by Romans to ward off sickness and to have provided Christ’s crown of thorns.
• The root stock can be used in fruit tree grafting
• The wood is hard and does not rot easily.

Gardeners Tips for the Hawthorn

• There are pink flowering varieties of Hawthorn that make good garden trees..
• Mixed hedges and straight Hawthorne hedges will withstand a lot of pruning and form an impenetrable hedge quickly.
• Hawthorn hedges can be ‘layered’ to thicken the lower part of the hedge.

Other types of Hawthorn

• There are between 200 and a 1000 species.
• The Hawthorn hybridises easily and this may account for the higher figure of species.
• The Midland Hawthorn Crataegus laevigata is the other native British Hawthorn. It tends to flower red rather than white

Hawthorn comments from elsewhere

• Hawthorn provides food for more than 150 different insect species and the seeds provide autumn bird food. This makes Hawthorn a very valuable addition to any wildlife garden. RSPB
• Known as the “faerie tree”, this beautiful, often gnarled, thorny little tree can live to a great age, and can be found growing in the wildest and harshest of spots.
• The White Hawthorn Blossom was named the state flower of Missouri on March 16, 1923.

‘Hawthorn: Crataegus monogyna, known as Common Hawthorn, is a species of hawthorn native to Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia. Other common names include may, mayblossom, maythorn, quickthorn, whitethorn, motherdie, and haw. This species is one of several that have been referred to as Crataegus oxyacantha, a name that has been rejected by the botanical community as too ambiguous.’
Credits
Hawthorn blossum DSCF0995 by hedgerowmobile CC BY-NC 2.0
Hawthorn flowers by net_efekt CC BY-NC 2.0

Key Features of the Dragon Tree

• Latin name – Dracaena Cinnabari – other common names inside-out umbrella tree’ or Dragon Blood Tree
• Height – up to 50 feet
• Type of tree – evergreen
• Leaves – Broad based spiky leaves in clusters at the top of vertical branches
• Flowers – pale yellow clusters
• Fruit – Yellow berry ripening to black
• Bark – Rough textured silvery grey
• Family – Dracaena

Origins and Distribution of the Dragon Tree

• Unique to the Indian Ocean island of Soqotra .
• The island is home to over 200 other plant species that are unique to the island.

Uses and Attributes of the Dragon Tree

• Cinnabar is a crimson red resin produced from the bark and leaves.
• Cinnabar was used as a pigment and to treat burns.
• The red dye is still used as a local lipstick and to treat stomach problems.

Gardeners Tips for the Dragon Tree

• Dragon trees grow in arid semi-desert areas.
• House plants of Dracaena are shrubby species only vaguely related to the Dragon Tree.

Other types of Dragon Trees

• Dracaena americana, Dracaena arborea, Dracaena draco, Dracaena ombet, and Dracaena tamaranae are all commonly known as dragon trees.
• Those species are tree-sized with stout trunks and stiff, broad-based leaves. The remaining Dracaena species are known collectively as shrubby dracaenas.

and grow in arid semi-desert areas.

Dragon Tree comments from elsewhere

Conservation The dragon’s blood tree is given some protection from international commercial trade under the listing of all Dracaena species on Appendix II of CITES (3), but if its populations are to be effectively preserved, a variety of measures will need to be taken. These include urgent monitoring of the species’ natural regeneration and the expansion of Skund Nature Sanctuary to cover important areas of the habitats. Also, efforts on avoiding road construction in the dragon blood’s habitat, and limit grazing need to be brought to attention. Additional conservation efforts for the tree involve fencing against livestock, watering of seedlings in open areas, and involving local communities in planting seedlings’ wikipedia extract.

Credits
“Dragon’s Blood trees both by Stefan Geens CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
“Haghier massif and Diskum plateau by Stefan Geens CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

A tall striking tree related to the magnolia with similar Tulip shaped flowers. It has been planted in Britain since 1688 as an ornamental parks and gardens tree.

Key Features of the Tulip Tree

• Latin name – Liriodendron tulipifera – other common names Tulip poplar or yellow poplar
• Height – 90-100 feet
• Type of tree – decidious
• Leaves – Deeply lobed green turning yellow-gold in autumn
• Flowers – Six petals pale green at the edges and orance corollas at the centre
• Fruit – Cone like woody unseeded fruit with one wing.
• Bark – Pale grey-green with white furrows
• Family – Magnoliacaea

Origins and Distribution of the Tulip Tree

• Eastern seaboard of North America.
• Now more widely spread as a specimen tree in UK and elsewhere.

Uses and Attributes of the Tulip Tree

• The fine grained soft wood is used for plywood and pulp.
• Ornamental due to the flowers and leaf colouring.

Gardeners Tips for the Tulip Tree

• Flowers are not produced on young trees. Flowering can take over 8 years from seed sowing.
• Fastigiatum is a slender columnar tree suitable for more constrained spaces.
• Flowers are generally high up in the tree and thus less visible.

Other types of Tulip Tree

• Until the 20 century it was thought tulipifera was monotypic. Then a plant was discovered in China with leaves more glaucus and smaller in flower and stature Liriodendron chinense.
• Liriodendron tulipifera Aureomarginatum have edged leaves and Liriodendron tulipifera Integrifolium has leaves without lobes.

Tulip Tree comments from elsewhere

Credits
On my Tulip Tree_4-30-08 by jimbrickett CC BY ND 2.0 ‘These are the blooms on my Tulip Tree in my yard today (there are a hundred of them). Most too high to see well.’
Interior of Sprawling Tulip Tree, Tudor Place by ok-oyot CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera, Flower by nipplerings72 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
“Tulip Tree Flower 7236 by pjriccio2006 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 ‘The Tulip tree is a large, deciduous tree, which easily reaches 70′ to 90′ tall, and large trees to 150′ or more are common. The flowers are 2″ to 3″ long, tulip-shaped, upright blossoms, borne singly at branch ends, and blooms late may through mid-June. The petals are yellow-green, and the inside of the corolla base is orange. Unfortunately, most flowers are borne in the higher reaches of the plant and are not easily observed. These flowers were collected on a series of cool windy days.’

A water loving tree that is comparatively short lived at about 150 years. It is fast growing and can often be found near river banks.

Key Features of the Common Alder

• Latin name – Alnus glutinosa other common names Black Alder or European Alder
• Height – 60-80 feet
• Type of tree – deciduous
• Leaves – Green, rounded, finely toothed alternate.
• Flowers – Male reddish brown in drooping catkins; female on same tree solitary red
• Fruit – Woody oval and cone like
• Bark – Dark grey-brown and scaly when mature
• Family – Betulacaea

Origins and Distribution of the Common Alder

• Found throughout Europe and western Asia.
• Now also grown in North Africa.

Uses and Attributes of the Common Alder

• The wood can take on an attractive reddish colour when cut and it has been used for charcoal and gunpowder..
• Many clogs have been made out of Alder.
• The wood does not rot when immersed in water and has been used extensively for boats, water pipes and canal lock gates
• Major parts of Venice are built on pilings made from Alder
• The tree and bark in particular has several medical uses.

Gardeners Tips for the Common Alder

• Common Alder is often used as a pioneering plant to re-establish woodlands, reclamation projects and abandoned farmlands.
• Seedlings do not grow well in shady conditions and are seldom found in heavy woodlands.

Other types of Common Alder

• Several forms of common alder exist including fastigiata, laciniata with stiffer habit, pyrimidalis with branches at an acute angle.
• Alnus glutinosa Imperialis is attractive with deeply and finely cut leaves.
• There are about 25 species of Alder in addition to glutinosa but few grow taller than the Common Alder.

Common Alder comments from elsewhere

• Top photo ‘Lower Austria, districts Wien-Umgebung and Bruck/Leitha (Fischa-Auen, 177 m AMSL).
  Fischa alluvial forests in so-called Feuchte Ebene (‘wet plain’) are dominated by black alder; Salix (S. alba featured here, the huge one in centre right) and Populus – which prevail in Danube river alluvial forests – are present but not dominant.
  German name: Silber-Weide + Schwarz-Erle.’
• ‘Alder is the most common tree species in riparian forests, and it plays a crucial role in these stream- and loch-edge woodlands. As a deep-rooted species, it helps to maintain the soil in river banks and reduces the effects of erosion. Alder root systems which are exposed in the water give shelter to fish during times of high water flow, and provide a safe refuge from predators. Alder foliage provides shade which is beneficial to fish, including salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta), and its leaves, which are relatively quick to decompose in water, provide nutrients for invertebrates such as the larvae of caddisflies, stoneflies and water beetles. These in turn form part of the aquatic food web, and are eaten by larger organisms, including salmonid fish.’ read the full text on Trees for Life

Credits
“Schwarzerlenau/Alder forest – Salix alba + Alnus glutinosa (48°01′ N 16°30′ E)” by HermannFalkner/sokol CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
“Alder Catkins” by Ontario Wanderer CC BY-NC 2.0
“Alder trees, Alnus glutinosa, on the northern bank of the Kinlochewe River near the south-eastern end of Loch Maree.” by Shandchem CC BY-ND 2.0

The Papaya is a widely grown fruit tree of the tropics. It’s large fleshy fruit contains many seeds but can weigh from 1 pound up to 20 pound on some varieties.

Key Features of the Papaya

• Latin name – Carica Papaya – other common names Papaw, or Pawpaw or Mugua
• Height – up to 33 feet
• Type of tree – evergreen
• Leaves – Long deeply lobed dark green and alternate
• Flowers – Males and females on separate trees with yellow or pink petals
• Fruit – Large, ovoid, fleshy fruit up to 12″ long. Orange or pink flesh surrounding multiple soft black seeds
• Bark – Light brown with leaf scars
• Family – The only member of the Carica genus

Origins and Distribution of the Papaya

• Widely grown throughout the tropics.
• Originally native to Mexico and central America.

Uses and Attributes of the Papaya

• The fruit contains many vitimins and trace chemicals. The latex and leaves can be made into drinks and there are many medical uses for the Papaya.
• Ripe fruit with sweet, yellow or pink flesh make a traditional tropical breakfast.
• The raw fruit and the leaves contain an enzyme, papain, that is used to tenderise meat.
• Green unripe Papaya are used in several folk remedies and for both contraception and abortion.
• The bark can be used to make rope.

Gardeners Tips for the Papaya

• Another tree to leave for the hotter (and wetter) climates.

Other Types of Papaya

• There are many varieties available. Some have small pear shaped fruit others have large round heavy pawpaws.
• One type has sweet, red and the other has yellow flesh not surprisingly called “red papaya” and “yellow papaw”, respectively. Either kind, picked green, is called a “green papaya.”
• Large-fruited, red-fleshed varieties include ‘Maradol’, ‘Sunrise’, and ‘Caribbean Red’.
• There are a growing number of genetically modified species including ‘SunUp’ and ‘Rainbow’,
• Generally Hawaiian variety are smaller and pear-shaped, while Caribbean and Asian papayas are long and large.
• Confusion exists with the Custard Apple family of Asimina triloba and Asimina tetramera, commonly known as the four-petal pawpaw in some countries.

Papaya comments from elsewhere

• ‘Deliciously sweet with musky undertones and a soft, butter-like consistency, it is no wonder the papaya was reputably called the “fruit of the angels” by Christopher Columbus. Once considered quite exotic, they can now be found in markets throughout the year. Although there is a slight seasonal peak in early summer and fall, papaya trees produce fruit year round’. for more on health benefits .

Credits
Papaya by enbodenumer CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
papaya by mars! CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Papaya by mwanasimba CC BY-SA 2.0

Unassuming in appearance the evergreen tree is highly valued for the essential oil it can produce.

Key Features of the Ylang Ylang

• Latin name – Cananga odorata , other common names Kenanga kebun, Macassar-oil plant, Perfume tree
• Height – up to 80 feet
• Type of tree – evergreen
• Leaves – Oval green leaves sometimes with wavy edges
• Flowers – clusters of fragrant green flowers turning yellow with six long twisted, hanging petals
• Fruit – clusters of small, oval, black berries
• Bark – Pale grey
• Family – Annonaceae the Custard Apples

Origins and Distribution of the Ylang Ylang

• Native of Indonesia and the Philippines.
• Now grown widely throughout tropical Asia, India and the Pacific Islands.

Uses and Attributes of the Ylang Ylang

• Scented oil is made from distilled flowers. 2000 pounds of flowers make 40 pounds of oil if you are lucky.
• The oil is used in the perfume industry allegedly in Channel No5.
• The oil is used to treat high blood pressure but may also cause it because it is a reputed aphrodisiac.
• Ylang Ylang berries and seeds are an important food for pigeons.

Gardeners Tips for the Ylang Ylang

• Not suitable for UK growing.
• In a hot house environment the plants can be grown from seed and would flower in 3-4 years.

Other types of Ylang Ylang

• Cananga odorata var. fruticosa is called the dwarf ylang-ylang. It grows as small tree or compact shrub.
• Artabotrys odoratissimus, ylang-ylang vine, and Artabotrys hexapetalus, climbing ylang-ylang, are woody, evergreen climbing plants in the same family.

Ylang Ylang comments from elsewhere

• Ylang ylang, has a heavy and sweet scent similar to jasmine, is associated with weddings and honeymoons.
• ‘In addition to its wonderful fragrance, the plant blooms practically year round. Its branches are entirely covered with clusters of flowers and dark green oval fruits. Ripe fruits have a black color. Unlike some Annonaceae, Ylang-Ylang fruits are not used in foods; however they are quite edible and have the tart but pleasant aroma of a conifer or juniper…….The flowers of the Ylang Ylang are pollinated by night moths; therefore the most intensive smell is released from dusk until dawn. The flowers to be used by the distillation process are picked at sunrise when their aroma is the most intense. more from Top Tropicals

Credits
“Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson by adaduitokla, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 ‘Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson, Annonaceae. CN: [Malay - Kenanga], Ylang-ylang, Cananga tree, Ilang-ilang, fragrant cananga, Macassar-oil plant, Perfume tree, is a tree valued for its perfume. The essential oil derived from the flowers is used in aromatherapy and floral theme perfume.’
Sexy Curls.. by Zaqqy J CC BY 2.0

Key Features of the Quiver Tree

• Latin name Aloe Doichotoma other common names Kokerboom
• Height up to 30 feet
• Type of tree – monocotyledon
• Leaves – sharp toothed, narrow pioned blue-green leaves formed in rosettes
• Flowers – tiny, bright yellow, nectar filled flowers on 12″ spikes
• Fruit – smooth, shiny capsules flowers are edible
• Bark – Sharp edged brown scales
• Family – Aloaceae

Origins and Distribution of the Quiver Tree

• South West Africa and Namibia.
• Grows in arid areas of southern Africa.

Uses and Commercial Attributes of the Quiver Tree

• The hollowed out branches were used by the San tribe as quivers.
• The sharp-edged trunk and leaves make it a favoured tree for weaver birds to nest because it protects from snakes and jackals.

Gardeners Tips for the Quiver Tree

• Dichotoma means forked .
• The slow growing Quiver Tree with its thick trunk and rounded crown is a distinctive sight.
• A position in a hot and dry South African rock garden is best if you want to grow this aloe in a garden.
• Like other Aloe the quiver tree is easy to grow from seed given the right conditions.

Other types of Quiver Tree Species

• Aloe pillansii, the giant quiver tree, is becoming endangered by over zealous collecting .
• Aloe ramosissima, the maiden quiver tree is only found near the Orange river.

Quiver Tree comments from elsewhere

• The young flower buds can be eaten and have a similar appearance and taste to asparagus. Sugar birds are drawn to these flowers in winter where they feed on the nectar produced by the flowers. Aloe dichotoma is an extremely tough tree that may reach an age of over 80 years and a height of approximately 7 metres. more from plants Africa
• Dr Richard Pearson of the American Museum of Natural History told a conference on global warming that a species had three choices when confronted with climate change: die, adapt or migrate.For the quiver tree, any migration it made would have to come about as a result of seed dispersal via the wind or from droppings from birds or other animals that digested them. read more

Credits
Quiver Tree by hibbijibbies CC BY-ND 2.0
“Midas tree by Paul WatsonCC BY-NC-SA 2.0

In the eighteenth century Cedar of Lebanon became the fashionable tree to plant in gardens and estates of stately homes.

Key Features of the Cedar of Lebanon

• Latin name – Cedrus libani
• Height – up to 130 feet wide spreading – slow growing & long lived
• Type of tree – evergreen conifer
• Leaves – Grey-blue to dark green needles growing in whorls on side shoots and singly on main shoots.
• Flowers – Male yellow-brown, female larger, (6″) bright green with purple tinge
• Fruit – Erect barrel shaped cones of grey-green turning to purpleish brown
• Bark – Red-browns with shallow fissures
• Family – Pinacea

Origins and Distribution of the Cedar of Lebanon

• Natural habitat Syria, Tarsus mountains and Mount Lebanon.
• Examples of the tree are mentioned in several books of the bible.

Uses and Attributes of the Cedar of Lebanon

• Used by the Egyptians and Phonecians for building ships.
• The tree is the national symbol of Lebanon and features on the national flag.
• Cedar wood is a beautiful color and is used in cladding due to it’s hardness, exquisite fragrance and resistance to insects

Gardeners Tips for the Cedar of Lebanon

• During the first 30-50 years of it’s life the Cedar of Lebanon grows in a conical shape. It then starts to develop the magestic and distinctive levels like plates of foliage.
• One theory is that the branch shape is determined by heavy mountain snow that weighs the branches down.
• Cedrus libani Sargentii has a short trunk weeping branches and is ideal for the rock garden.

Other types of Cedar of Lebanon

• Cedrus libani subsp. libani – grows in Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, northwest Jordan, western Syria, and south central Turkey.
• Turkish cedar or Taurus cedar Cedrus libani subsp. stenocoma is from Turkey.
• Look out for the slow growing Golden Dwarf Cedrus libani Aurea Prostrata

Cedar of Lebanon comments from elsewhere

• ‘The Forest of the Cedars of God’ is a World Heritage Site of old Cedrus libani.
• Throughout history, cedar wood, and such byproducts as cedar oil, have proven to be worth far more money than living trees, however beautiful they were. At the time of Gilgamesh, Egypt has already cut (without replanting) large amounts of cedar for ship construction and for export. They continued the same tradition. Cedar cutting prevailed under various administrations, up through the time of the Ottomans. They finished off most of the remaining forests by using cedar wood as fuel for railway engines. They generally bypassed more easily obtainable oak wood, since cedar (because of its oil content) burned much better. The presently remaining cedar groves were spared mainly because their regions were relatively difficult to reach. Cedrus Libani has been famous in Lebanon since early written history. read more on Cedar of Lebanon info site

Credits
Cedar of Lebanon, wilton House by 1967geezer CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Cedar of Lebanon, Warwick Castle Grounds by MichelleWalz CC BY 2.0

Fascinating leaves are grown on this unique tree that has been around for over 200 million years. Last one of a kind the Ginkgo has no close relatives. Now famous for its extracts and herbal remedies it is also a revered tree in the Buddhist religion.

Key Features of the Maidenhair Tree

• Latin name Ginkgo biloba other common names Pin Yin, Kew tree or Japanese silver apricot
• Height Up to 100 feet very long lived.
• Type of tree – Deciduous the only surviving species of its kind from 200 million years ago
• Leaves – Fan shaped green leaves aging to yellow
• Flowers – Male catkins are yellow in bunches. Female on another tree are green on stalks
• Fruit – Greenish-yellow plum like fruit with a fleshy coating and edible kernel.
• Bark – Grey Brown
• Family Ginkgo a one off

Origins and Distribution of the Maidenhair Tree

• Origins over 200 million years ago but now grow wild in China, Japan and Indonesia.
• Widely planted in Buddhist temples and now grown as a specimen tree around the world..

Uses and Attributes of the Ginkgo

• Seen as a symbol of longevity, hope and unity.
• The finely grained wood is used for carving.
• Extract from the leaves and fruit are used herbally.

Gardeners Tips for the Ginkgo

• During autumn the leaves turn a bright yellow and quickly fall.
• Sunny well-watered and well-drained sites are needed to grow a Ginkgo in your garden.
• With stands an amount of pollution.

Other types of Ginkgo

• There are no living relatives Ginkgo are often referred to as living fossils.

Ginkgo comments from elsewhere

• The old popular name “Maidenhair tree” is because the leaves resemble some of the pinnae of the maidenhair fern.
• Ginkgos are dioecious, with separate sexes, some trees being female and others being male. Male plants produce small pollen cones (Wikipedia).
• The Ginkgo Pages is a dedicated website for the tree

Credits
ginkgo by ivva CC BY-SA 2.0
Ginkgo leaf by monteregina CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Silver Birch look the part on a cold and frosty morning. The white or silvery trunk looks good singly or when grouped together.

Key Features of the Silver Birch

• Latin name Betula pendula other common names Curly birch, Paper Boirch, Weeping Birch or Ribbon Tree
• Height up to 100 feet 30m narrow spread.
• Type of tree – Deciduous broadleaf
• Leaves – Green and triangular shaped with toothed edges.
• Flowers Male and female catkins borne on the same tree.
  Male are yellow and drooping female green and upright, later pendulous when fertilised.
• Fruit Winged seeds borne in catkins
• Bark Silver white with black fissures.
• Family Betulacea

Origins and Distribution of the Silver Birch

• European origin found throughout Europe, western and northern Asia.
• Seeds prolifically and is found in Canada, Scandinavia, Turkey and widely spread as a specimen ornamental.

Uses and Commercial Attributes of the Silver Birch

• Used for making barrels and furniture. The wood is too soft for use in construction
• The fine twiggy branches are used for brooms and besoms as well as racecourse jumps.
• Used as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens.
• Silver birch is popular in Finland where it is the national tree used in forestry and as branches to beat yourself in the sauna.

Gardeners Tips for the Silver Birch

• Silver Birch grow in a cool climate and enjoy an occasional winter snowfall.
• They are fast growing, shallow rooted that may require water during dry periods.
• They grow best and show most colour in full sun planted in deep, well-drained soil..
• Trees are short lived and rot from damage so dislike pruning.

Other types of Silver Birch and Species

• There are 40 different Birches including Himalayan Birch, Betula utilis which has white bark without the fissures
• Betula platyphylla and Betula szechuanica are species common in Asia.
• Paper Birch has flaky bark that was used in tanning Betula papyrifera.
• Silver Birch can be confused with Downy Birch Betula pubescence

Silver Birch comments from elsewhere

• Birch is believed to protect against evil spirits and the evil eye but it also symbolises love and fertility. In medieval times, a bundle of birch twigs was carried by the local magistrate on his way to court as a symbol of his authority and as a means of correction. The use of the birch as a punishment probably originates in the need to drive out evil spirits.
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