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  • Japanese Crab Malus floribunda (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
A compact, densely crowned small tree on a thick bole with dark brown, fissured bark. The twigs are slightly pendulous and reddish when young, remaining densely hairy. The alternate leaves are up to 8cm long, oval with a pointed tip and a toothed margin. The underside is downy when the leaves first open, but becomes smooth later. Reproductive parts The fragrant flowers appear soon after the leaves and are usually so dense that they hide the leaves. At first the buds are a rich pink, then they become paler as they open and the blossom gradually fades to white. The fruits are rounded and up to 2.5cm across, but sometimes smaller. They ripen to a bright yellow, and are often present in the same abundance as the flowers. Habitat and distribution Probably a hybrid between two Japanese garden species, as this tree has not been found growing in the wild. Frequently planted in gardens and parks all over Europe for its attractive blossom and convenient small size.
    134859.jpg
  • Downy Japanese Maple Acer japonicum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 14m Similar to Smooth Japanese Maple, but bole is often even shorter; note also, differences between the leaves. BARK Grey and smooth. BRANCHES Upright and sinuous. LEAVES Hairy when young, with veins remaining hairy through the season. Leaves are lobed, but divided less than half-way to base, with forward-pointing teeth on margins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Purple flowers grow in long-stalked, pendulous clusters, opening just before leaves. Paired, winged fruits, to 5cm across, have wings diverging widely; margins hairy at first. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, grown here for ornament; cultivar ‘Vitifolium’ is popular for its red autumn colours.
    132826.jpg
  • Japanese Crab Malus floribunda (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
A compact, densely crowned small tree on a thick bole with dark brown, fissured bark. The twigs are slightly pendulous and reddish when young, remaining densely hairy. The alternate leaves are up to 8cm long, oval with a pointed tip and a toothed margin. The underside is downy when the leaves first open, but becomes smooth later. Reproductive parts The fragrant flowers appear soon after the leaves and are usually so dense that they hide the leaves. At first the buds are a rich pink, then they become paler as they open and the blossom gradually fades to white. The fruits are rounded and up to 2.5cm across, but sometimes smaller. They ripen to a bright yellow, and are often present in the same abundance as the flowers. Habitat and distribution Probably a hybrid between two Japanese garden species, as this tree has not been found growing in the wild. Frequently planted in gardens and parks all over Europe for its attractive blossom and convenient small size.
    135448.jpg
  • Japanese Crab Malus floribunda (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
A compact, densely crowned small tree on a thick bole with dark brown, fissured bark. The twigs are slightly pendulous and reddish when young, remaining densely hairy. The alternate leaves are up to 8cm long, oval with a pointed tip and a toothed margin. The underside is downy when the leaves first open, but becomes smooth later. Reproductive parts The fragrant flowers appear soon after the leaves and are usually so dense that they hide the leaves. At first the buds are a rich pink, then they become paler as they open and the blossom gradually fades to white. The fruits are rounded and up to 2.5cm across, but sometimes smaller. They ripen to a bright yellow, and are often present in the same abundance as the flowers. Habitat and distribution Probably a hybrid between two Japanese garden species, as this tree has not been found growing in the wild. Frequently planted in gardens and parks all over Europe for its attractive blossom and convenient small size.
    134889.jpg
  • Japanese Crab Malus floribunda (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
A compact, densely crowned small tree on a thick bole with dark brown, fissured bark. The twigs are slightly pendulous and reddish when young, remaining densely hairy. The alternate leaves are up to 8cm long, oval with a pointed tip and a toothed margin. The underside is downy when the leaves first open, but becomes smooth later. Reproductive parts The fragrant flowers appear soon after the leaves and are usually so dense that they hide the leaves. At first the buds are a rich pink, then they become paler as they open and the blossom gradually fades to white. The fruits are rounded and up to 2.5cm across, but sometimes smaller. They ripen to a bright yellow, and are often present in the same abundance as the flowers. Habitat and distribution Probably a hybrid between two Japanese garden species, as this tree has not been found growing in the wild. Frequently planted in gardens and parks all over Europe for its attractive blossom and convenient small size.
    134860.jpg
  • Downy Japanese Maple Acer japonicum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 14m Similar to Smooth Japanese Maple, but bole is often even shorter; note also, differences between the leaves. BARK Grey and smooth. BRANCHES Upright and sinuous. LEAVES Hairy when young, with veins remaining hairy through the season. Leaves are lobed, but divided less than half-way to base, with forward-pointing teeth on margins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Purple flowers grow in long-stalked, pendulous clusters, opening just before leaves. Paired, winged fruits, to 5cm across, have wings diverging widely; margins hairy at first. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, grown here for ornament; cultivar ‘Vitifolium’ is popular for its red autumn colours.
    134480.jpg
  • Japanese Cherry Prunus serrulata (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A small to medium-sized deciduous tree. BARK Purple-brown, ringed by horizontal lines of prominent lenticels. BRANCHES Ascending, usually fanning out from the bole and terminating in smooth twigs. LEAVES Up to 20cm long, ovate and drawn out to a long tapering tip; the margin is sharply toothed and the smooth petiole, to 4cm long, has up to 4 red glands near the base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white or pink flowers grow in clusters of 2–4, opening just before the leaves; in some cultivars so flowers are borne on a 8cm-long petiole, may have notched petals, and vary in shade from pure white to deep pink. Fruits are round, to 7mm long and deep purple-crimson; they seldom develop in cultivated trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to China, then introduced into Japan at a very early date, and subsequently brought to our region where now it is a very popular garden tree. Centuries of breeding and selection have made modern trees different from their wild ancestors, which are rarely seen. SIMILAR TREES Originally bred in Japan and ancient in origin, there are many cultivated forms of Cherry that are popular here as garden tree, and that are often collectively referred to as ‘Japanese Cherries’; typically they are known only by their cultivar names. Popular forms include: Prunus ‘Kanzan’ with magenta buds and pink flowers; Prunus ‘Shirofugen’ with pink buds and white double flowers; Prunus ‘Shirotae’ with large, white flowers; Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ with pink double flowers.
    133831.jpg
  • Japanese Cherry Prunus serrulata (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A small to medium-sized deciduous tree. BARK Purple-brown, ringed by horizontal lines of prominent lenticels. BRANCHES Ascending, usually fanning out from the bole and terminating in smooth twigs. LEAVES Up to 20cm long, ovate and drawn out to a long tapering tip; the margin is sharply toothed and the smooth petiole, to 4cm long, has up to 4 red glands near the base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white or pink flowers grow in clusters of 2–4, opening just before the leaves; in some cultivars so flowers are borne on a 8cm-long petiole, may have notched petals, and vary in shade from pure white to deep pink. Fruits are round, to 7mm long and deep purple-crimson; they seldom develop in cultivated trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to China, then introduced into Japan at a very early date, and subsequently brought to our region where now it is a very popular garden tree. Centuries of breeding and selection have made modern trees different from their wild ancestors, which are rarely seen. SIMILAR TREES Originally bred in Japan and ancient in origin, there are many cultivated forms of Cherry that are popular here as garden tree, and that are often collectively referred to as ‘Japanese Cherries’; typically they are known only by their cultivar names. Popular forms include: Prunus ‘Kanzan’ with magenta buds and pink flowers; Prunus ‘Shirofugen’ with pink buds and white double flowers; Prunus ‘Shirotae’ with large, white flowers; Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ with pink double flowers.
    133741.jpg
  • Japanese Cherry Prunus serrulata (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A small to medium-sized deciduous tree. BARK Purple-brown, ringed by horizontal lines of prominent lenticels. BRANCHES Ascending, usually fanning out from the bole and terminating in smooth twigs. LEAVES Up to 20cm long, ovate and drawn out to a long tapering tip; the margin is sharply toothed and the smooth petiole, to 4cm long, has up to 4 red glands near the base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white or pink flowers grow in clusters of 2–4, opening just before the leaves; in some cultivars so flowers are borne on a 8cm-long petiole, may have notched petals, and vary in shade from pure white to deep pink. Fruits are round, to 7mm long and deep purple-crimson; they seldom develop in cultivated trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to China, then introduced into Japan at a very early date, and subsequently brought to our region where now it is a very popular garden tree. Centuries of breeding and selection have made modern trees different from their wild ancestors, which are rarely seen. SIMILAR TREES Originally bred in Japan and ancient in origin, there are many cultivated forms of Cherry that are popular here as garden tree, and that are often collectively referred to as ‘Japanese Cherries’; typically they are known only by their cultivar names. Popular forms include: Prunus ‘Kanzan’ with magenta buds and pink flowers; Prunus ‘Shirofugen’ with pink buds and white double flowers; Prunus ‘Shirotae’ with large, white flowers; Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ with pink double flowers.
    133740.jpg
  • Downy Japanese Maple Acer japonicum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 14m Similar to Smooth Japanese Maple, but bole is often even shorter; note also, differences between the leaves. BARK Grey and smooth. BRANCHES Upright and sinuous. LEAVES Hairy when young, with veins remaining hairy through the season. Leaves are lobed, but divided less than half-way to base, with forward-pointing teeth on margins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Purple flowers grow in long-stalked, pendulous clusters, opening just before leaves. Paired, winged fruits, to 5cm across, have wings diverging widely; margins hairy at first. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, grown here for ornament; cultivar ‘Vitifolium’ is popular for its red autumn colours.
    132818.jpg
  • Japanese Crab Malus floribunda (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
A compact, densely crowned small tree on a thick bole with dark brown, fissured bark. The twigs are slightly pendulous and reddish when young, remaining densely hairy. The alternate leaves are up to 8cm long, oval with a pointed tip and a toothed margin. The underside is downy when the leaves first open, but becomes smooth later. Reproductive parts The fragrant flowers appear soon after the leaves and are usually so dense that they hide the leaves. At first the buds are a rich pink, then they become paler as they open and the blossom gradually fades to white. The fruits are rounded and up to 2.5cm across, but sometimes smaller. They ripen to a bright yellow, and are often present in the same abundance as the flowers. Habitat and distribution Probably a hybrid between two Japanese garden species, as this tree has not been found growing in the wild. Frequently planted in gardens and parks all over Europe for its attractive blossom and convenient small size.
    132751.jpg
  • Japanese Cherry Prunus serrulata (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A small to medium-sized deciduous tree. BARK Purple-brown, ringed by horizontal lines of prominent lenticels. BRANCHES Ascending, usually fanning out from the bole and terminating in smooth twigs. LEAVES Up to 20cm long, ovate and drawn out to a long tapering tip; the margin is sharply toothed and the smooth petiole, to 4cm long, has up to 4 red glands near the base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white or pink flowers grow in clusters of 2–4, opening just before the leaves; in some cultivars so flowers are borne on a 8cm-long petiole, may have notched petals, and vary in shade from pure white to deep pink. Fruits are round, to 7mm long and deep purple-crimson; they seldom develop in cultivated trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to China, then introduced into Japan at a very early date, and subsequently brought to our region where now it is a very popular garden tree. Centuries of breeding and selection have made modern trees different from their wild ancestors, which are rarely seen. SIMILAR TREES Originally bred in Japan and ancient in origin, there are many cultivated forms of Cherry that are popular here as garden tree, and that are often collectively referred to as ‘Japanese Cherries’; typically they are known only by their cultivar names. Popular forms include: Prunus ‘Kanzan’ with magenta buds and pink flowers; Prunus ‘Shirofugen’ with pink buds and white double flowers; Prunus ‘Shirotae’ with large, white flowers; Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ with pink double flowers.
    132494.jpg
  • Japanese Cherry Prunus serrulata (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A small to medium-sized deciduous tree. BARK Purple-brown, ringed by horizontal lines of prominent lenticels. BRANCHES Ascending, usually fanning out from the bole and terminating in smooth twigs. LEAVES Up to 20cm long, ovate and drawn out to a long tapering tip; the margin is sharply toothed and the smooth petiole, to 4cm long, has up to 4 red glands near the base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white or pink flowers grow in clusters of 2–4, opening just before the leaves; in some cultivars so flowers are borne on a 8cm-long petiole, may have notched petals, and vary in shade from pure white to deep pink. Fruits are round, to 7mm long and deep purple-crimson; they seldom develop in cultivated trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to China, then introduced into Japan at a very early date, and subsequently brought to our region where now it is a very popular garden tree. Centuries of breeding and selection have made modern trees different from their wild ancestors, which are rarely seen. SIMILAR TREES Originally bred in Japan and ancient in origin, there are many cultivated forms of Cherry that are popular here as garden tree, and that are often collectively referred to as ‘Japanese Cherries’; typically they are known only by their cultivar names. Popular forms include: Prunus ‘Kanzan’ with magenta buds and pink flowers; Prunus ‘Shirofugen’ with pink buds and white double flowers; Prunus ‘Shirotae’ with large, white flowers; Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ with pink double flowers.
    132492.jpg
  • Japanese Cherry Prunus serrulata (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A small to medium-sized deciduous tree. BARK Purple-brown, ringed by horizontal lines of prominent lenticels. BRANCHES Ascending, usually fanning out from the bole and terminating in smooth twigs. LEAVES Up to 20cm long, ovate and drawn out to a long tapering tip; the margin is sharply toothed and the smooth petiole, to 4cm long, has up to 4 red glands near the base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white or pink flowers grow in clusters of 2–4, opening just before the leaves; in some cultivars so flowers are borne on a 8cm-long petiole, may have notched petals, and vary in shade from pure white to deep pink. Fruits are round, to 7mm long and deep purple-crimson; they seldom develop in cultivated trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to China, then introduced into Japan at a very early date, and subsequently brought to our region where now it is a very popular garden tree. Centuries of breeding and selection have made modern trees different from their wild ancestors, which are rarely seen. SIMILAR TREES Originally bred in Japan and ancient in origin, there are many cultivated forms of Cherry that are popular here as garden tree, and that are often collectively referred to as ‘Japanese Cherries’; typically they are known only by their cultivar names. Popular forms include: Prunus ‘Kanzan’ with magenta buds and pink flowers; Prunus ‘Shirofugen’ with pink buds and white double flowers; Prunus ‘Shirotae’ with large, white flowers; Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ with pink double flowers.
    132490.jpg
  • Downy Japanese Maple Acer japonicum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 14m Similar to Smooth Japanese Maple, but bole is often even shorter; note also, differences between the leaves. BARK Grey and smooth. BRANCHES Upright and sinuous. LEAVES Hairy when young, with veins remaining hairy through the season. Leaves are lobed, but divided less than half-way to base, with forward-pointing teeth on margins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Purple flowers grow in long-stalked, pendulous clusters, opening just before leaves. Paired, winged fruits, to 5cm across, have wings diverging widely; margins hairy at first. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, grown here for ornament; cultivar ‘Vitifolium’ is popular for its red autumn colours.
    134489.jpg
  • Downy Japanese Maple Acer japonicum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 14m Similar to Smooth Japanese Maple, but bole is often even shorter; note also, differences between the leaves. BARK Grey and smooth. BRANCHES Upright and sinuous. LEAVES Hairy when young, with veins remaining hairy through the season. Leaves are lobed, but divided less than half-way to base, with forward-pointing teeth on margins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Purple flowers grow in long-stalked, pendulous clusters, opening just before leaves. Paired, winged fruits, to 5cm across, have wings diverging widely; margins hairy at first. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, grown here for ornament; cultivar ‘Vitifolium’ is popular for its red autumn colours.
    132819.jpg
  • Japanese Thuja Thuja standishii (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 22m. Broadly conical tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in strips or broader flakes. BRANCHES U-shaped with pendent grey-green shoot-tips. LEAVES Tiny, scale-like on flattened sprays, lemon-scented when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers at shoot tips, dark red at first, yellower when open. Female flowers greenish, in separate clusters on tips of different shoots on same tree; ripen to red-brown, scaly cones. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for ornament.
    135083.jpg
  • Japanese Red Pine Pinus densiflora (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 15m Young trees are the most attractive, with a neat conical shape. Older trees are less shapely and have a flatter, twiggier crown. BARK Distinctly red and flaky. BRANCHES Usually drooping with bright green shoots showing clearly between the rather sparse foliage. LEAVES Slender, 8-12cm long and shiny green. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pointed cones and reddish, to 5cm long. Flowers and cones are produced on quite young trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China, Japan and Korea, occasionally planted here.
    135063.jpg
  • Japanese White Pine Pinus parviflora (Height to 20m) similar to Weymouth Pine P. strobus. Has twisted needles, to 6cm long, blue-green outside and blue-white inside. Ovoid cones, to 7cm long, with tough scales. Native to Japan, planted here occasionally.
    134421.jpg
  • Smooth Japanese Maple Acer palmatum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m. Small deciduous tree with a short, usually twisted bole, and domed crown. BARK Smooth brown bark with paler patches in young trees. BRANCHES Numerous and spreading, ending in thin reddish twigs with green undersides. LEAVES To 9cm long, with 5–7, sometimes 11, toothed lobes divided at least half-way to the base of leaf. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Dark purple-red flowers, in upright clusters of 12–15 on thin green or red 4cm-long pedicels, usually opening in April–May. Reddish fruits usually hang in clusters, each fruit about 2cm across, the wings diverging widely. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for its compact shape, interesting foliage and fine autumn colours.
    132925.jpg
  • Smooth Japanese Maple Acer palmatum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m. Small deciduous tree with a short, usually twisted bole, and domed crown. BARK Smooth brown bark with paler patches in young trees. BRANCHES Numerous and spreading, ending in thin reddish twigs with green undersides. LEAVES To 9cm long, with 5–7, sometimes 11, toothed lobes divided at least half-way to the base of leaf. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Dark purple-red flowers, in upright clusters of 12–15 on thin green or red 4cm-long pedicels, usually opening in April–May. Reddish fruits usually hang in clusters, each fruit about 2cm across, the wings diverging widely. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for its compact shape, interesting foliage and fine autumn colours.
    132924.jpg
  • Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. Broadly conical evergreen, often with a finely tapering crown, but may be bushy. BARK Red-brown, peeling in long vertical strips. LEAVES Needle-like, up to 12cm long and borne in umbrella-like clusters. Needles are deeply grooved on both sides, dark green above, but more yellow below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow and produced in clusters; female flowers are green, and grow at tips of shoots, ripening into ovoid, 7.5cm-long, red-brown cones after 2 years. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but grows well in many parts of Britain and Europe.
    132645.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    123218.jpg
  • Smooth Japanese Maple Acer palmatum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m. Small deciduous tree with a short, usually twisted bole, and domed crown. BARK Smooth brown bark with paler patches in young trees. BRANCHES Numerous and spreading, ending in thin reddish twigs with green undersides. LEAVES To 9cm long, with 5–7, sometimes 11, toothed lobes divided at least half-way to the base of leaf. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Dark purple-red flowers, in upright clusters of 12–15 on thin green or red 4cm-long pedicels, usually opening in April–May. Reddish fruits usually hang in clusters, each fruit about 2cm across, the wings diverging widely. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for its compact shape, interesting foliage and fine autumn colours.
    135435.jpg
  • Japanese Thuja Thuja standishii (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 22m. Broadly conical tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in strips or broader flakes. BRANCHES U-shaped with pendent grey-green shoot-tips. LEAVES Tiny, scale-like on flattened sprays, lemon-scented when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers at shoot tips, dark red at first, yellower when open. Female flowers greenish, in separate clusters on tips of different shoots on same tree; ripen to red-brown, scaly cones. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for ornament.
    135070.jpg
  • Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. Broadly conical evergreen, often with a finely tapering crown, but may be bushy. BARK Red-brown, peeling in long vertical strips. LEAVES Needle-like, up to 12cm long and borne in umbrella-like clusters. Needles are deeply grooved on both sides, dark green above, but more yellow below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow and produced in clusters; female flowers are green, and grow at tips of shoots, ripening into ovoid, 7.5cm-long, red-brown cones after 2 years. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but grows well in many parts of Britain and Europe.
    134984.jpg
  • Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. Broadly conical evergreen, often with a finely tapering crown, but may be bushy. BARK Red-brown, peeling in long vertical strips. LEAVES Needle-like, up to 12cm long and borne in umbrella-like clusters. Needles are deeply grooved on both sides, dark green above, but more yellow below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow and produced in clusters; female flowers are green, and grow at tips of shoots, ripening into ovoid, 7.5cm-long, red-brown cones after 2 years. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but grows well in many parts of Britain and Europe.
    134983.jpg
  • Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. Broadly conical evergreen, often with a finely tapering crown, but may be bushy. BARK Red-brown, peeling in long vertical strips. LEAVES Needle-like, up to 12cm long and borne in umbrella-like clusters. Needles are deeply grooved on both sides, dark green above, but more yellow below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow and produced in clusters; female flowers are green, and grow at tips of shoots, ripening into ovoid, 7.5cm-long, red-brown cones after 2 years. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but grows well in many parts of Britain and Europe.
    134913.jpg
  • Smooth Japanese Maple Acer palmatum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m. Small deciduous tree with a short, usually twisted bole, and domed crown. BARK Smooth brown bark with paler patches in young trees. BRANCHES Numerous and spreading, ending in thin reddish twigs with green undersides. LEAVES To 9cm long, with 5–7, sometimes 11, toothed lobes divided at least half-way to the base of leaf. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Dark purple-red flowers, in upright clusters of 12–15 on thin green or red 4cm-long pedicels, usually opening in April–May. Reddish fruits usually hang in clusters, each fruit about 2cm across, the wings diverging widely. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for its compact shape, interesting foliage and fine autumn colours.
    134874.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    134697.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    134669.jpg
  • Japanese Red-cedar Cryptomeria japonica (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Tall, narrowly conical evergreen on a rapidly tapering bole. BARK Thin, hard bark, peeling in thin shreds. BRANCHES Mainly level. LEAVES Narrow, claw-like and yellowish-green, pointing towards the shoot-tip. Foliage character distinguishes this species from Coastal Redwood, as does thin bark. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones produced on same tree but on different shoots. small yellow male cones are borne in clusters at tips of shoots and release pollen in early spring. Mature female cones are covered with feathery scales, unique to this tree, giving the appearance of brownish globular flowers. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China and Japan. Present here since 1842, and commonest in the west.
    134654.jpg
  • Japanese Red-cedar Cryptomeria japonica (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Tall, narrowly conical evergreen on a rapidly tapering bole. BARK Thin, hard bark, peeling in thin shreds. BRANCHES Mainly level. LEAVES Narrow, claw-like and yellowish-green, pointing towards the shoot-tip. Foliage character distinguishes this species from Coastal Redwood, as does thin bark. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones produced on same tree but on different shoots. small yellow male cones are borne in clusters at tips of shoots and release pollen in early spring. Mature female cones are covered with feathery scales, unique to this tree, giving the appearance of brownish globular flowers. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China and Japan. Present here since 1842, and commonest in the west.
    134618.jpg
  • Japanese White Pine Pinus parviflora (Height to 20m) similar to Weymouth Pine P. strobus. Has twisted needles, to 6cm long, blue-green outside and blue-white inside. Ovoid cones, to 7cm long, with tough scales. Native to Japan, planted here occasionally.
    134409.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    133277.jpg
  • Smooth Japanese Maple Acer palmatum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m. Small deciduous tree with a short, usually twisted bole, and domed crown. BARK Smooth brown bark with paler patches in young trees. BRANCHES Numerous and spreading, ending in thin reddish twigs with green undersides. LEAVES To 9cm long, with 5–7, sometimes 11, toothed lobes divided at least half-way to the base of leaf. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Dark purple-red flowers, in upright clusters of 12–15 on thin green or red 4cm-long pedicels, usually opening in April–May. Reddish fruits usually hang in clusters, each fruit about 2cm across, the wings diverging widely. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for its compact shape, interesting foliage and fine autumn colours.
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  • Smooth Japanese Maple Acer palmatum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m. Small deciduous tree with a short, usually twisted bole, and domed crown. BARK Smooth brown bark with paler patches in young trees. BRANCHES Numerous and spreading, ending in thin reddish twigs with green undersides. LEAVES To 9cm long, with 5–7, sometimes 11, toothed lobes divided at least half-way to the base of leaf. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Dark purple-red flowers, in upright clusters of 12–15 on thin green or red 4cm-long pedicels, usually opening in April–May. Reddish fruits usually hang in clusters, each fruit about 2cm across, the wings diverging widely. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for its compact shape, interesting foliage and fine autumn colours.
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  • Japanese Red-cedar Cryptomeria japonica (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Tall, narrowly conical evergreen on a rapidly tapering bole. BARK Thin, hard bark, peeling in thin shreds. BRANCHES Mainly level. LEAVES Narrow, claw-like and yellowish-green, pointing towards the shoot-tip. Foliage character distinguishes this species from Coastal Redwood, as does thin bark. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones produced on same tree but on different shoots. small yellow male cones are borne in clusters at tips of shoots and release pollen in early spring. Mature female cones are covered with feathery scales, unique to this tree, giving the appearance of brownish globular flowers. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China and Japan. Present here since 1842, and commonest in the west.
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  • Japanese Red Pine Pinus densiflora (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 15m Young trees are the most attractive, with a neat conical shape. Older trees are less shapely and have a flatter, twiggier crown. BARK Distinctly red and flaky. BRANCHES Usually drooping with bright green shoots showing clearly between the rather sparse foliage. LEAVES Slender, 8-12cm long and shiny green. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pointed cones and reddish, to 5cm long. Flowers and cones are produced on quite young trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China, Japan and Korea, occasionally planted here.
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  • Japanese Red Pine Pinus densiflora (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 15m Young trees are the most attractive, with a neat conical shape. Older trees are less shapely and have a flatter, twiggier crown. BARK Distinctly red and flaky. BRANCHES Usually drooping with bright green shoots showing clearly between the rather sparse foliage. LEAVES Slender, 8-12cm long and shiny green. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pointed cones and reddish, to 5cm long. Flowers and cones are produced on quite young trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China, Japan and Korea, occasionally planted here.
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  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    132631.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    132629.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
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  • Japanese White Pine Pinus parviflora (Height to 20m) similar to Weymouth Pine P. strobus. Has twisted needles, to 6cm long, blue-green outside and blue-white inside. Ovoid cones, to 7cm long, with tough scales. Native to Japan, planted here occasionally.
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  • Japanese Red-cedar Cryptomeria japonica (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Tall, narrowly conical evergreen on a rapidly tapering bole. BARK Thin, hard bark, peeling in thin shreds. BRANCHES Mainly level. LEAVES Narrow, claw-like and yellowish-green, pointing towards the shoot-tip. Foliage character distinguishes this species from Coastal Redwood, as does thin bark. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones produced on same tree but on different shoots. small yellow male cones are borne in clusters at tips of shoots and release pollen in early spring. Mature female cones are covered with feathery scales, unique to this tree, giving the appearance of brownish globular flowers. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China and Japan. Present here since 1842, and commonest in the west.
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  • Japanese Macaque Macaca fuscata Length to 50cm aka Snow Monkey. Range restricted to Japan, in areas of winter snowfall. Fur is grey-buff and face is reddish and essentially hairless.
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  • Japanese Red Pine Pinus densiflora (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 15m Young trees are the most attractive, with a neat conical shape. Older trees are less shapely and have a flatter, twiggier crown. BARK Distinctly red and flaky. BRANCHES Usually drooping with bright green shoots showing clearly between the rather sparse foliage. LEAVES Slender, 8-12cm long and shiny green. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pointed cones and reddish, to 5cm long. Flowers and cones are produced on quite young trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China, Japan and Korea, occasionally planted here.
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  • Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. Broadly conical evergreen, often with a finely tapering crown, but may be bushy. BARK Red-brown, peeling in long vertical strips. LEAVES Needle-like, up to 12cm long and borne in umbrella-like clusters. Needles are deeply grooved on both sides, dark green above, but more yellow below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow and produced in clusters; female flowers are green, and grow at tips of shoots, ripening into ovoid, 7.5cm-long, red-brown cones after 2 years. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but grows well in many parts of Britain and Europe.
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  • Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. Broadly conical evergreen, often with a finely tapering crown, but may be bushy. BARK Red-brown, peeling in long vertical strips. LEAVES Needle-like, up to 12cm long and borne in umbrella-like clusters. Needles are deeply grooved on both sides, dark green above, but more yellow below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow and produced in clusters; female flowers are green, and grow at tips of shoots, ripening into ovoid, 7.5cm-long, red-brown cones after 2 years. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but grows well in many parts of Britain and Europe.
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  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
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  • Japanese Balsam Poplar Populus maximowiczii Height to 30m. Native to China and Japan but widely planted elsewhere for its timber. Bark is grey and becomes fissured with age. Leaves are obovate, dark green and stalked. Flowers are catkins.
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  • Japanese Thuja Thuja standishii (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 22m. Broadly conical tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in strips or broader flakes. BRANCHES U-shaped with pendent grey-green shoot-tips. LEAVES Tiny, scale-like on flattened sprays, lemon-scented when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers at shoot tips, dark red at first, yellower when open. Female flowers greenish, in separate clusters on tips of different shoots on same tree; ripen to red-brown, scaly cones. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for ornament.
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  • Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. Broadly conical evergreen, often with a finely tapering crown, but may be bushy. BARK Red-brown, peeling in long vertical strips. LEAVES Needle-like, up to 12cm long and borne in umbrella-like clusters. Needles are deeply grooved on both sides, dark green above, but more yellow below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow and produced in clusters; female flowers are green, and grow at tips of shoots, ripening into ovoid, 7.5cm-long, red-brown cones after 2 years. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but grows well in many parts of Britain and Europe.
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  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    132632.jpg
  • Smooth Japanese Maple Acer palmatum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m. Small deciduous tree with a short, usually twisted bole, and domed crown. BARK Smooth brown bark with paler patches in young trees. BRANCHES Numerous and spreading, ending in thin reddish twigs with green undersides. LEAVES To 9cm long, with 5–7, sometimes 11, toothed lobes divided at least half-way to the base of leaf. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Dark purple-red flowers, in upright clusters of 12–15 on thin green or red 4cm-long pedicels, usually opening in April–May. Reddish fruits usually hang in clusters, each fruit about 2cm across, the wings diverging widely. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for its compact shape, interesting foliage and fine autumn colours.
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  • Yoshino Cherry Prunus x yedoensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A spreading tree, similar to the Japanese Cherry. BARK Greyish, with brown lenticel bands. BRANCHES Slightly weeping at tips; young twigs are downy. LEAVES Ovate, to 20-cm long, with a long, tapering tip and a toothed margin that is ‘whiskered’ towards the tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers occur in clusters of 5–6 on 2cm pedicels and the pale-pink petals are deeply notched; the flowers appear before the leaves. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A hybrid first seen in Japan, now popular here as a street tree.
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  • Yoshino Cherry Prunus x yedoensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A spreading tree, similar to the Japanese Cherry. BARK Greyish, with brown lenticel bands. BRANCHES Slightly weeping at tips; young twigs are downy. LEAVES Ovate, to 20-cm long, with a long, tapering tip and a toothed margin that is ‘whiskered’ towards the tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers occur in clusters of 5–6 on 2cm pedicels and the pale-pink petals are deeply notched; the flowers appear before the leaves. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A hybrid first seen in Japan, now popular here as a street tree.
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  • Evergreen shrub or small tree. Sometimes known as Japanese Holy. Hieight to 5m. Leaves are dark green, glossy and oval with a toothed margin. Flowers are white. Fruit is a black, berry-like drupe.
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  • Yoshino Cherry Prunus x yedoensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A spreading tree, similar to the Japanese Cherry. BARK Greyish, with brown lenticel bands. BRANCHES Slightly weeping at tips; young twigs are downy. LEAVES Ovate, to 20-cm long, with a long, tapering tip and a toothed margin that is ‘whiskered’ towards the tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers occur in clusters of 5–6 on 2cm pedicels and the pale-pink petals are deeply notched; the flowers appear before the leaves. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A hybrid first seen in Japan, now popular here as a street tree.
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  • Plum Yew (Japanese Cow-tail Pine) Cephalotaxus harringtonia (Cephalotaxaceae) HEIGHT to 6m<br />
Small, bushy, yew-like evergreen tree. LEAVES Leathery and spineless, in dense clusters on slightly down-curved twigs. <br />
C. harringtonia var. drupacea is a more frequently seen variant with shorter leaves growing almost vertically on the gracefully curving shoots and showing their silvery-green lower surfaces. C. harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’ is an upright form with much darker foliage; leaves reach 7cm in length, although they are shorter near the tip of the current year’s growth. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Creamy-white male flowers are borne in small clusters on the underside of twigs; female flowers (on separate sex trees) borne on very short stalks, later giving rise to small greenish plum-like fruits. <br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Known only as a garden plant, originally from Japan, and never seen growing in the wild.
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  • Plum Yew (Japanese Cow-tail Pine) Cephalotaxus harringtonia (Cephalotaxaceae) HEIGHT to 6m<br />
Small, bushy, yew-like evergreen tree. LEAVES Leathery and spineless, in dense clusters on slightly down-curved twigs. <br />
C. harringtonia var. drupacea is a more frequently seen variant with shorter leaves growing almost vertically on the gracefully curving shoots and showing their silvery-green lower surfaces. C. harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’ is an upright form with much darker foliage; leaves reach 7cm in length, although they are shorter near the tip of the current year’s growth. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Creamy-white male flowers are borne in small clusters on the underside of twigs; female flowers (on separate sex trees) borne on very short stalks, later giving rise to small greenish plum-like fruits. <br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Known only as a garden plant, originally from Japan, and never seen growing in the wild.
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  • Japanese Rose - Rosa rugosa
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  • Katsura Tree Cercidiphyllum japonicum (Cercidiphyllaceae) HEIGHT to 25m. Conical-crowned deciduous tree, sometimes with a single bole, more often with several main stems. BARK vertically fissured and peeling. LEAVES In opposite pairs, to 8cm long, rounded, with pointed tips and heart-shaped bases. Pink at first, turning green in summer, then red in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are produced in leaf nodes in April. Male flowers are small clusters of reddish stamens, female flowers are darker-red clusters of styles. Fruits are claw-like bunches of 5cm-long pods which change from grey, through green, to brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, grown in Britain and Ireland for ornament.
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  • Red Snakebark Maple Acer capillipes (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m Upright, open tree. BARK Boldly striped. BRANCHES With bright scarlet shoots. LEAVES To 15cm long, rather ovate but with shallow, sharp-angled side lobes and a drawn-out tip. Leaves turn reddish or yellow in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish green flower in racemes. Fruits have almost level wings. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for ornament.
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  • Strawberry Dogwood Cornus kousa (Cornaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A columnar to pyramidal deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling off in patches in older trees. BRANCHES Tangled. LEAVES Ovate, to 7.5cm long and 5cm across, with a tapering point and wavy margin; dark green above, smooth below with patches of brown hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white or greenish flowers are small and clustered together in compact rounded heads, surrounded by 4 large yellowish-white or pink-tinged bracts; open in early summer, followed by bunches of tiny, edible fruits that collectively look like strawberries. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and a garden tree in Britain and Europe.
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  • Nikko Maple Acer nikoense (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 15m (20m). Broadly spreading deciduous tree. BARK Greyish-brown and smooth. BRANCHES Mainly level, with blackish buds that have grey hairs on scales. LEAVES Compound, with 3 leaflets, the central one up to 10cm long, the other 2 smaller and unequal at the base. They are mostly green and smooth on the upper surface, but bluish-white below with a covering of soft hairs. Leaves turn fiery red in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small yellow flowers, in pendulous clusters of 3, on hairy stalks, open at about same time as leaves. Green, winged fruits are about 5cm long, and wings spread widely, but seeds are rarely fertile or fully formed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and now popular here as an ornamental tree, mostly for its fine autumn colours.
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  • Strawberry Dogwood Cornus kousa (Cornaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A columnar to pyramidal deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling off in patches in older trees. BRANCHES Tangled. LEAVES Ovate, to 7.5cm long and 5cm across, with a tapering point and wavy margin; dark green above, smooth below with patches of brown hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white or greenish flowers are small and clustered together in compact rounded heads, surrounded by 4 large yellowish-white or pink-tinged bracts; open in early summer, followed by bunches of tiny, edible fruits that collectively look like strawberries. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and a garden tree in Britain and Europe.
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  • Sawara Cypress Chamaecyparis pisifera (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 24m. Evergreen, recalls Lawson’s Cypress but with finer, paler foliage, and more open crown. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Mostly level. LEAVES Scale-like with white marks on undersides; resinous scent when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are small brownish cones, female flowers are paler brown, growing in clusters at shoot tips. Wrinkled, pea-like cones are 6-8mm across and hidden among foliage. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain woodlands in Japan.
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  • Sawara Cypress Chamaecyparis pisifera (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 24m. Evergreen, recalls Lawson’s Cypress but with finer, paler foliage, and more open crown. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Mostly level. LEAVES Scale-like with white marks on undersides; resinous scent when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are small brownish cones, female flowers are paler brown, growing in clusters at shoot tips. Wrinkled, pea-like cones are 6-8mm across and hidden among foliage. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain woodlands in Japan.
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  • Sawara Cypress Chamaecyparis pisifera (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 24m. Evergreen, recalls Lawson’s Cypress but with finer, paler foliage, and more open crown. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Mostly level. LEAVES Scale-like with white marks on undersides; resinous scent when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are small brownish cones, female flowers are paler brown, growing in clusters at shoot tips. Wrinkled, pea-like cones are 6-8mm across and hidden among foliage. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain woodlands in Japan.
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  • Star Magnolia Magnolia stellata (Magnoliaceae) HEIGHT to 9m. Usually forms a much-branched bush rather than a tree. The leaves are narrowly oval the flowers comprise numerous white tepals, arranged in a star-like fashion. Native of Japan and widely planted here.
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  • Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Large evergreen with dark-green foliage and a sparse habit when mature. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Level to ascending. LEAVES Young leaves needle-like, 8mm long with sharply pointed tips and 2 bluish stripes on upper surface; mostly in clusters of 3 at base of adult shoots, radiating at right-angles. Adult leaves small and scale-like, closely adpressed to shoot. Crushed leaves smell of cats. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones small, yellow; grow on tips of shoots. Female cones rounded, up to 7mm long, bluish-white at first, ripening purplish-brown in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and China, often planted in our region in parks, gardens and churchyards
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  • Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Large evergreen with dark-green foliage and a sparse habit when mature. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Level to ascending. LEAVES Young leaves needle-like, 8mm long with sharply pointed tips and 2 bluish stripes on upper surface; mostly in clusters of 3 at base of adult shoots, radiating at right-angles. Adult leaves small and scale-like, closely adpressed to shoot. Crushed leaves smell of cats. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones small, yellow; grow on tips of shoots. Female cones rounded, up to 7mm long, bluish-white at first, ripening purplish-brown in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and China, often planted in our region in parks, gardens and churchyards
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  • Hiba Thujopsis dolabrata (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Single-boled conical tree or broad shrub on a divided trunk. LEAVES Scale-like, glossy green above with white bands below and a pointed, curved tip. Leaves clasp shoots, in opposite pairs on flat sprays. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small blackish male cones at shoot tips. Rounded female cones singly on ends of shoots on same tree. Mature cones about 1.2cm long, brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for ornament. Prefers wet regions with damp soils.
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  • Sawara Cypress Chamaecyparis pisifera (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 24m. Evergreen, recalls Lawson’s Cypress but with finer, paler foliage, and more open crown. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Mostly level. LEAVES Scale-like with white marks on undersides; resinous scent when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are small brownish cones, female flowers are paler brown, growing in clusters at shoot tips. Wrinkled, pea-like cones are 6-8mm across and hidden among foliage. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain woodlands in Japan.
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  • Spring Cherry Prunus subhirtella (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Densely crowned deciduous tree. BARK Greyish-brown. BRANCHES Slender, with many downy, crimson twigs. LEAVES To 6cm long ovate to lanceolate with a long-pointed tip and irregularly toothed margin; veins downy below. On a 1cm-long crimson, downy petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pinkish-white short-stalked flowers open just before leaves in March or April; petals are about 1cm long and notched. Purplish-black fruits are rounded but seldom produced. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, commonly planted as a street and garden tree in Britain and Ireland.
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  • Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Large evergreen with dark-green foliage and a sparse habit when mature. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Level to ascending. LEAVES Young leaves needle-like, 8mm long with sharply pointed tips and 2 bluish stripes on upper surface; mostly in clusters of 3 at base of adult shoots, radiating at right-angles. Adult leaves small and scale-like, closely adpressed to shoot. Crushed leaves smell of cats. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones small, yellow; grow on tips of shoots. Female cones rounded, up to 7mm long, bluish-white at first, ripening purplish-brown in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and China, often planted in our region in parks, gardens and churchyards
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  • Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Large evergreen with dark-green foliage and a sparse habit when mature. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Level to ascending. LEAVES Young leaves needle-like, 8mm long with sharply pointed tips and 2 bluish stripes on upper surface; mostly in clusters of 3 at base of adult shoots, radiating at right-angles. Adult leaves small and scale-like, closely adpressed to shoot. Crushed leaves smell of cats. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones small, yellow; grow on tips of shoots. Female cones rounded, up to 7mm long, bluish-white at first, ripening purplish-brown in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and China, often planted in our region in parks, gardens and churchyards
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  • Sargent’s Cherry Prunus sargentii (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 13m. Open, spreading tree. BARK purple-brown, rather glossy and ringed with horizontal bands of lenticels. BRANCHES Ascending or spreading; dark-red twigs are thin and smooth. LEAVES To 15cm long, ovate with a long-pointed tip, sharply toothed margins and a 2–4cm-long petiole; smooth on both surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are pale pink, on 1–2cm stalks in clusters of 2–4, opening just before leaves, usually in April. Petals are up to 2cm long. Fruits (rarely seen here) are ovoid, to 1.1cm long, and dark crimson. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and Sakhalin Islands; widely planted here.
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  • Strawberry Dogwood Cornus kousa (Cornaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A columnar to pyramidal deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling off in patches in older trees. BRANCHES Tangled. LEAVES Ovate, to 7.5cm long and 5cm across, with a tapering point and wavy margin; dark green above, smooth below with patches of brown hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white or greenish flowers are small and clustered together in compact rounded heads, surrounded by 4 large yellowish-white or pink-tinged bracts; open in early summer, followed by bunches of tiny, edible fruits that collectively look like strawberries. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and a garden tree in Britain and Europe.
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  • Hiba Thujopsis dolabrata (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Single-boled conical tree or broad shrub on a divided trunk. LEAVES Scale-like, glossy green above with white bands below and a pointed, curved tip. Leaves clasp shoots, in opposite pairs on flat sprays. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small blackish male cones at shoot tips. Rounded female cones singly on ends of shoots on same tree. Mature cones about 1.2cm long, brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for ornament. Prefers wet regions with damp soils.
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  • Hiba Thujopsis dolabrata (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Single-boled conical tree or broad shrub on a divided trunk. LEAVES Scale-like, glossy green above with white bands below and a pointed, curved tip. Leaves clasp shoots, in opposite pairs on flat sprays. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small blackish male cones at shoot tips. Rounded female cones singly on ends of shoots on same tree. Mature cones about 1.2cm long, brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for ornament. Prefers wet regions with damp soils.
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  • Sawara Cypress Chamaecyparis pisifera (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 24m. Evergreen, recalls Lawson’s Cypress but with finer, paler foliage, and more open crown. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Mostly level. LEAVES Scale-like with white marks on undersides; resinous scent when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are small brownish cones, female flowers are paler brown, growing in clusters at shoot tips. Wrinkled, pea-like cones are 6-8mm across and hidden among foliage. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain woodlands in Japan.
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  • Veitch’s Silver Fir Abies veitchii (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 28m <br />
Has fluted and ribbed trunk. BARK Silvery grey and smooth, becoming scaly with age. LEAVES 3cm long, notched and silvery below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small male flowers red, looking yellow as they open. Female flowers greenish red; in upright clusters. Cones cylindrical, smooth and erect, to 7.5cm long, purplish, ripening brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan. Introduced here in 1879; thrives only in N Scotland.
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  • Nikko Maple Acer nikoense (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 15m (20m). Broadly spreading deciduous tree. BARK Greyish-brown and smooth. BRANCHES Mainly level, with blackish buds that have grey hairs on scales. LEAVES Compound, with 3 leaflets, the central one up to 10cm long, the other 2 smaller and unequal at the base. They are mostly green and smooth on the upper surface, but bluish-white below with a covering of soft hairs. Leaves turn fiery red in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small yellow flowers, in pendulous clusters of 3, on hairy stalks, open at about same time as leaves. Green, winged fruits are about 5cm long, and wings spread widely, but seeds are rarely fertile or fully formed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and now popular here as an ornamental tree, mostly for its fine autumn colours.
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  • Garden Privet Ligustrum ovalifolium (Height to 3m) is similar to Wild Privet L. vulgare but with rounded-oval, more evergreen leaves. A native of Japan, often planted in gardens for hedging, sometimes in one of its variegated forms.
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  • Red Snakebark Maple Acer capillipes (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m Upright, open tree. BARK Boldly striped. BRANCHES With bright scarlet shoots. LEAVES To 15cm long, rather ovate but with shallow, sharp-angled side lobes and a drawn-out tip. Leaves turn reddish or yellow in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish green flower in racemes. Fruits have almost level wings. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for ornament.
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  • Red Snakebark Maple Acer capillipes (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m Upright, open tree. BARK Boldly striped. BRANCHES With bright scarlet shoots. LEAVES To 15cm long, rather ovate but with shallow, sharp-angled side lobes and a drawn-out tip. Leaves turn reddish or yellow in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish green flower in racemes. Fruits have almost level wings. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for ornament.
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  • Star Magnolia Magnolia stellata (Magnoliaceae) HEIGHT to 9m. Usually forms a much-branched bush rather than a tree. The leaves are narrowly oval the flowers comprise numerous white tepals, arranged in a star-like fashion. Native of Japan and widely planted here.
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  • Red Snakebark Maple Acer capillipes (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m Upright, open tree. BARK Boldly striped. BRANCHES With bright scarlet shoots. LEAVES To 15cm long, rather ovate but with shallow, sharp-angled side lobes and a drawn-out tip. Leaves turn reddish or yellow in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish green flower in racemes. Fruits have almost level wings. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for ornament.
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  • Star Magnolia Magnolia stellata (Magnoliaceae) HEIGHT to 9m. Usually forms a much-branched bush rather than a tree. The leaves are narrowly oval the flowers comprise numerous white tepals, arranged in a star-like fashion. Native of Japan and widely planted here.
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  • Strawberry Dogwood Cornus kousa (Cornaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A columnar to pyramidal deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling off in patches in older trees. BRANCHES Tangled. LEAVES Ovate, to 7.5cm long and 5cm across, with a tapering point and wavy margin; dark green above, smooth below with patches of brown hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white or greenish flowers are small and clustered together in compact rounded heads, surrounded by 4 large yellowish-white or pink-tinged bracts; open in early summer, followed by bunches of tiny, edible fruits that collectively look like strawberries. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and a garden tree in Britain and Europe.
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  • Katsura Tree Cercidiphyllum japonicum (Cercidiphyllaceae) HEIGHT to 25m. Conical-crowned deciduous tree, sometimes with a single bole, more often with several main stems. BARK vertically fissured and peeling. LEAVES In opposite pairs, to 8cm long, rounded, with pointed tips and heart-shaped bases. Pink at first, turning green in summer, then red in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are produced in leaf nodes in April. Male flowers are small clusters of reddish stamens, female flowers are darker-red clusters of styles. Fruits are claw-like bunches of 5cm-long pods which change from grey, through green, to brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, grown in Britain and Ireland for ornament.
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  • Katsura Tree Cercidiphyllum japonicum (Cercidiphyllaceae) HEIGHT to 25m. Conical-crowned deciduous tree, sometimes with a single bole, more often with several main stems. BARK vertically fissured and peeling. LEAVES In opposite pairs, to 8cm long, rounded, with pointed tips and heart-shaped bases. Pink at first, turning green in summer, then red in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are produced in leaf nodes in April. Male flowers are small clusters of reddish stamens, female flowers are darker-red clusters of styles. Fruits are claw-like bunches of 5cm-long pods which change from grey, through green, to brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, grown in Britain and Ireland for ornament.
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  • Nikko Maple Acer nikoense (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 15m (20m). Broadly spreading deciduous tree. BARK Greyish-brown and smooth. BRANCHES Mainly level, with blackish buds that have grey hairs on scales. LEAVES Compound, with 3 leaflets, the central one up to 10cm long, the other 2 smaller and unequal at the base. They are mostly green and smooth on the upper surface, but bluish-white below with a covering of soft hairs. Leaves turn fiery red in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small yellow flowers, in pendulous clusters of 3, on hairy stalks, open at about same time as leaves. Green, winged fruits are about 5cm long, and wings spread widely, but seeds are rarely fertile or fully formed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and now popular here as an ornamental tree, mostly for its fine autumn colours.
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  • Nikko Maple Acer nikoense (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 15m (20m). Broadly spreading deciduous tree. BARK Greyish-brown and smooth. BRANCHES Mainly level, with blackish buds that have grey hairs on scales. LEAVES Compound, with 3 leaflets, the central one up to 10cm long, the other 2 smaller and unequal at the base. They are mostly green and smooth on the upper surface, but bluish-white below with a covering of soft hairs. Leaves turn fiery red in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small yellow flowers, in pendulous clusters of 3, on hairy stalks, open at about same time as leaves. Green, winged fruits are about 5cm long, and wings spread widely, but seeds are rarely fertile or fully formed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and now popular here as an ornamental tree, mostly for its fine autumn colours.
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  • Star Magnolia Magnolia stellata (Magnoliaceae) HEIGHT to 9m. Usually forms a much-branched bush rather than a tree. The leaves are narrowly oval the flowers comprise numerous white tepals, arranged in a star-like fashion. Native of Japan and widely planted here.
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  • Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Large evergreen with dark-green foliage and a sparse habit when mature. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Level to ascending. LEAVES Young leaves needle-like, 8mm long with sharply pointed tips and 2 bluish stripes on upper surface; mostly in clusters of 3 at base of adult shoots, radiating at right-angles. Adult leaves small and scale-like, closely adpressed to shoot. Crushed leaves smell of cats. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones small, yellow; grow on tips of shoots. Female cones rounded, up to 7mm long, bluish-white at first, ripening purplish-brown in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and China, often planted in our region in parks, gardens and churchyards
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  • Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Large evergreen with dark-green foliage and a sparse habit when mature. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Level to ascending. LEAVES Young leaves needle-like, 8mm long with sharply pointed tips and 2 bluish stripes on upper surface; mostly in clusters of 3 at base of adult shoots, radiating at right-angles. Adult leaves small and scale-like, closely adpressed to shoot. Crushed leaves smell of cats. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones small, yellow; grow on tips of shoots. Female cones rounded, up to 7mm long, bluish-white at first, ripening purplish-brown in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and China, often planted in our region in parks, gardens and churchyards
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  • Strawberry Dogwood Cornus kousa (Cornaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A columnar to pyramidal deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling off in patches in older trees. BRANCHES Tangled. LEAVES Ovate, to 7.5cm long and 5cm across, with a tapering point and wavy margin; dark green above, smooth below with patches of brown hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white or greenish flowers are small and clustered together in compact rounded heads, surrounded by 4 large yellowish-white or pink-tinged bracts; open in early summer, followed by bunches of tiny, edible fruits that collectively look like strawberries. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and a garden tree in Britain and Europe.
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