tree of the month Belfast Botanic Gardens

Friends of Belfast Botanic Gardens

Tree of the month series - this series of short articles about trees in the Belfast Botanic Gardens is compiled by members of the Friends group and Gardens staff. We aim to build up to a comprehensive archive of trees in Belfast Botanic Gardens. Each article will illustrate a tree growing in Belfast Botanic Gardens together with information from a range of sources.

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Tree of the Month, July 2010

Robinia, Locust Tree or False Acacia

Robinia pseudoacacia

Jon Pilcher

The robinia is a native of the Appalachian Mountains, but has spread from Canada to California. It spreads agressively in many other countries, increasing mostly by root suckers. It is not seen that commonly in Ireland. The flowers are pendulous rather like those of Laburnum, but are creamy white. The leaves have from 9-23 untoothed leaflets and unusually the base of the leaf stalk encloses and hides the axial bud. The bark is usually deeply fissured and the heartwood is a deep orangy brown.There are two specimens in Belfast Botanic Gardens in the shrubby area facing the front of the Palm House. Both flowered prolifically in June 2010.


One of two Robinia trees in front of the Palm House in Belfast Botanic Gardens	Compound leaf of Robinia

Robinia flowering prolifically in Belfast Botanic Gardens in 2010	Flowers of Robinia

Bark of Robinia with epicormic shoots	The axial bud in Robinia is concealed by the base of the leaf stalk - to the right of photo