Summer Trees in Keynsham Memorial Park - July 2024
On Sunday 21st July, 13 of us met in Keynsham Memorial Park to see the summer trees. Some people were surprised that a few actually flower in July, namely the Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa bignoniodes) with its perfumed white flowers followed by long, thin bean-like pods, and the Large-Leaved Lime (Tilia platyphyllos) with its sweet-smelling flowers which are commonly used in linden-blossom tea.  
Indian Bean Tree
Large-Leafed Lime
There is a Silver Lime tree in the park, but I have never known it to flower (just as well, as its flowers are toxic to bees). The False Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia) had been cut down earlier this year but was bravely putting on new growth. It is in the Pea family so stores Nitrogen in its roots, and most parts of the tree are poisonous.
The Maidenhair Tree (Gingko biloba) was looking very healthy - it would have looked that way in the time of the dinosaurs too!
We look forward to its dramatic colour change in Autumn, when the leaves turn butter-yellow and all fall at once, so creating a carpet of yellow.
We also found the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharinum) which is one of the species used to produce Maple Syrup.
Behind the Baked Cafe is a magnificent West Himalayan Birch with its bright white bark and multiple stems, it was very eye-catching.
These are just a few of the trees we discovered, and we were so lucky to have a dry, sunny day in which to enjoy them.
Liz Wintle

Photos also by Liz
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