tree

[Anthony Darby]

Trying to identify these trees growing in may daughter's school grounds. Tree 1: Not seen the flowers, but it has a seed pod shaped a bit like an acorn but splits in half from the tip. It has tiny paper-thin winged seeds inside it. Tree 2 is a conifer that reminds me of the larch (but that's something completely different).

[Giles]

Paulownia tomentosa ('Foxglove Tree'; 'Princess Tree').
It's reasonably hardy in the southern half of the UK.

[Onion]

Tree 2 is a Cedrus. Maybee Cedrus deodora.

[Anthony Darby]

Gosh, that was quick. Thanks.   The cedar pollen clogs up the filter on the school's swimming pool in late summer.

[Anthony Darby]

Here are a three more that have me stumped.

[Onion]

Tree 3 looks like a Juniperus.
Tree 4 I only know as shrubs. I think it is Arbutus unedo ?
Tree 5 looks from the fruits in the last picture as a Juniperus, but no idea of the species.

[Lesley Cox]

The smooth trunk of #4 makes me think of Myrtus luma but probably Onion is right.

[Anthony Darby]

Tree 4 isn't Arbutus as I have grown that tree and am familiar with it on my travels through the Mediterranean region. The fruits on this tree are smooth like the leaves, which are very like those of Ficus benjamina. These trees grow quite big. I'll try to get some close ups.

[Anthony Darby]

Here are some more pics of trees 4 and 5 plus another couple I spotted today - trees 6 and 7!

[Stephenb]

Paulownia tomentosa ('Foxglove Tree'; 'Princess Tree').
It's reasonably hardy in the southern half of the UK.

Isn't it hardy in the northern UK? My tree seems to be perfectly happy with prolonged sub-zero temperatures, the roots completely frozen for months and has survived -23C. Do I just have a good provenience or are there other climatic factors?

[ThomasB]

Paulownia tomentosa is hardy here in Germany. Seedlings seem to like dry and rather uncomfortable places like walls and crevices near old buildings. Not as invasive as Ailanthus though.

[Stephenb]

That reminded me of this picture of what I think is Paulownia growing on the ruins of Wolsey castle in Winchester, England!

[Anthony Darby]

I don't think hardiness is a problem at Howick Intermediate school if this bottle brush tree and its associated under-planting is to go by?

[johnw]

Paulownia tomentosa ('Foxglove Tree'; 'Princess Tree').
It's reasonably hardy in the southern half of the UK.

Isn't it hardy in the northern UK? My tree seems to be perfectly happy with prolonged sub-zero temperatures, the roots completely frozen for months and has survived -23C. Do I just have a good provenience or are there other climatic factors?

Stephen  - I think you have one of very good provenance.  I know of only one here in Nova Scotia that doesn't routinely freeze back to the ground.  None of the ones that freeze back are unlikely to have seen a temperature of -23c since they have been grown.  Our growing season is too short or there's not enough heat in our season to ripen wood properly.

johnw - another week of cloud and rain

[Onion]

Here are some more pics of trees 4 and 5 plus another couple I spotted today - trees 6 and 7!

No idea, Anthony. Send you a PM. Have a adress from New Zealand.