Wednesday Street Tree #1

Chinese tree privet

Here it is! The first of my Wednesday Street Trees.

To kick off this new series, I thought an example of a Chinese tree privet would be good. While their flowers are at their height in late July and August, you may be able to catch a few lingering into the first week in September. This one was clinging on to its last blooms yesterday.

While occasional big, old trees can be seen in London parks and squares, it is only in the last two or three decades that this species has appeared on the city’s streets. They appear to be well-suited for the job: not too big and with a neat canopy. They also provide interest throughout the year by flowering in summer; producing fruit in the autumn, which can stay on the branches through the winter, and they are evergreen – relatively uncommon in this city. I wonder if London’s birds have yet to discover their plentiful fruits, and when they do, berries may be in shorter supply. Being evergreen, they are not popular with all Londoners – those whose homes are shaded by them have complained their full, light-blocking canopy is too gloomy during dark winter months. Ideal for shopping streets and station forecourts then.

What is it?

Chinese tree Privet
Ligustrum lucidum

Where is it?

Windsor Road, London N7 6JL
///stews.hang.noise | 51.560708, -0.118952

Flower spikes of a Chinese tree privet