A mystery tree and lots of green somethings?
We took a trip into London at the weekend to visit an art exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery. It is attached to Buckingham Palace and showcases some of the Queen’s vast art collection. This was a special exhibition on Flemish art which I am not going to talk about – interesting though it was!
We then moved into South London and happened to walk through a small, rather neglected park. There was a stone commemorating Lord Nelson the British Admiral who led a fleet against Napoleon and defeated him in 1805, dying in the process. No……I am not going to talk about British naval history either.
Lord Nelson
In the park we saw this tree which appeared to have green flowers.
Elm tree?
There were four of us, three of us gardeners but we couldn’t identify it. Back home I searched for trees with green flowers and drew a blank. At the time we wondered if they were seeds rather than flowers but had to admit we were baffled.
Green seeds pretending to be flowers?
Now I’m guessing it is some kind of Elm tree (Ulmus), a tree that does have this kind of seed casing. The English elm (Ulmus procera) was devastated by Dutch Elm disease in the 1970′s so I’m wondering if this is some sort of hybrid. We should have taken a picture of the bark too but forgot. Does anyone know what it is?
It was amusing that, having decided at a distance that these were green flowers, we found it difficult to believe they weren’t. Thinking back I could see the dot of a seed inside each little “petal”. The mind works in mysterious ways (lol)
11 comments
A bit disappointing that we were not going to discuss the first subject but utterly relieved when you gave the second one a miss too. ;-)
Can’t help you with the tree I’m afraid, not a tree buff.
Yolanda Elizabet: There are obviously quite a few gardeners like me who are lacking in tree ID skills!
We have a great id this tree site in the US…but I don’t know if it works for your trees! I am terrible at Id-ing trees…and do want o remedy that failing….somtime! It is a lovely tree with that delicious blue sky! I imagine you enjoyed the day immensely! gail
Gail: Yes we did enjoy the day. Like you I’m not good with tree identification – which is a bit embarrassing for a gardener. I should make more effort!
I have a good friend whose cousin liked to switch out his glass eye and put in a Union Jack in honour of Lord Nelson, which must have been a little alarming.
Sounds like a wonderful day at the Queen’s Gallery. Had a look at one of my Dirr’s – wonder if it could be Ulmus parvifolia – Chinese or Lacebark Elm which is (according to Dirr) resistant to Dutch Elm and if grown from seed is highly variable.
I’d say another trip is in order when the exhibit changes at the Gallery!
Barbara: The glass eye story made me laugh out loud!
Is it not a Lime tree. Maybe spanish lime. They have Green flowers
Judith – After consideration I think these are seeds not flowers. I did check out the Lime tree but the leaves are different.
Sounds like you had a nice day all and all. Wish I could help with the id of your mystery tree, sorry. I’m no good with identifying trees except the ones in my own yard. ;)
Racquel: I’m the same. I must try to improve my tree identification.
Gardeners tend to have a hard time with identifying trees-even trained ones like me. Don’t be embarrassed as I bet way more than you think have this issue. All this to say I can’t help at the moment but will try to think it over and check some books. The leaves do look like an elm.
Tina: Thanks. Report back.
Well I will throw my hat in the ring here as I was just passing by. It is definitely an Elm by the leaves. Very typical. Which species is a little tough but it could be a transplanted American Elm Ulmus americana or a near cousin. They are growing very well here in the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan even though Dutch Elm Disease has crept into the province. They are a majestic tree when well cared for.
Clayton – Thanks for visiting. I think you are correct about it being a variety of Elm.
Wow, no help here but hope you find out. I am terrible at any ID unless I have grown the plant myself and have kept the tag (or gotten help from friendly garden bloggers, ahem). I need to take a botany class, followed by a tree ID class, then maybe something about birds.
Karen: Same here!
Yes, I totally agree with Clayton. An elm tree. Here is a link I found with a good picture. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elm
Not only that but on a my walk this week, I found tons of these trees growing in the wild area where I walk. I even picked the flower (with the seed in the middle) and checked it thoroughly. I could not believe it was the same tree you posted on! It grows all over at this area walk. A good thing since so many of elms have been destroyed by Dutch Elm Tree.
Tina: Thanks Tina. I agree with you and Clayton. Elm it is. I wish I could have seen it in flower as the flowers are very distinctive. Amazing that you found them growing near you!
I am sitting doing a search on Google and came cross this site – what am I searching for? Trees with masses of green flowers/seeds! I live in North Northumberland and have never noticed such abundance of these beautiful, fresh green clothed trees. Some are just large shrubs but the hedgerows are full of them. I did think the leaves looked like an elm but wasn’t sure, hence the search. Thanks for the photo – I did mean to take my camera!
Beth: Since I did that post I’ve seen loads of these trees. Why did I not notice them before? Amazing. The flowers of Elm are very insignificant so I will keep an eye out next year to see if I can photo them before the green seeds appear!
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