Sunday 24th May. (Bonus question). This is Malus trilobata, the Maple-leaved Crab Apple, also known as Lebanese Wild Apple or Cut-leaved Apple. Not common in the UK.
Sunday 24th May. This is Paulownia tomentosa, the Foxglove Tree. Also called the Princess or Empress Tree as it originally came from Northern China where, apparently, only an empress could have one on her grave. This specimen is in the organ donation garden at Dorset County Hospital.
Saturday 23rd May. This tree is a Dawn Redwood, Metasequoia glyptostroboides. Apparently a critically endangered giant tree in the wild, discovered only in 1941.
Thursday 21st May. This is the Judas Tree, Cercis silisquastrum. The name might come from the French common name, Arbre de Judée, meaning tree of Judea, referring to the hilly regions of that country where the tree used to be common. Likewise called albero di Giuda in Italy.
Wednesday 20th May. This is a Tulip Tree, Liriodendron tulipifera. There is a lovely specimen in Borough Gardens and another in the churchyard at All Saints Church.
Tuesday 19th May. This is an Indian Bean Tree, Catalpa bignonioides, often recognisable in spring due to the long ‘bean pods’ left from last year. In summer, the leaves can be 20-30cm wide but little to show in mid-May!
Monday 18th May. The answer to today’s Tree Quiz is Guelder Rose, Viburnum opulus. Also known as White Ash in Dorset, Nuggets in Devon, King’s Crown in Gloucestershire and Wild Pincushion-tree in Cheshire. This specimen can be seen by the Millstream in Dorchester, close to the entrance of the Riverside Nature Reserve.
Sunday 17th May. This is the Manna Ash, Fraxinus ornus. There are several specimens along South Court Avenue and by Coburg Road in Dorchester.
Saturday 16th May. This is the False Acacia (also known as the Black Locust) – Robinia pseudoacacia. There are two lovely specimens on the south side of the Waitrose supermarket in Dorchester.
