Identifying trees when travelling - Maple, Sycamore and Woodland Trust

If you see a pretty plant or tree you can take a photo and afterwards identify it.

I took a picture of this leaf which is five lobed and looks like a maple. I knew it wasn't maple and guessed it was a sycamore. I was right. I searched for sycamore on the web and found a page on the Woodland Trust website.

The Woodland Trust website pointed out something I had not noticed. The Stalk of the leaf on a young tree is red. You can see that clearly in my picture. The website reminded me that the sycamore produces the winged seeds in spring. 

I nearly signed up for their spring and all seasons register which sounded useful. Then I saw that they would pass your details onto 'carefully selected' other companies. My inbox is already inundated.

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/common-non-native-trees/sycamore/

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer. 

Trees - beautiful trees - cherry and fruits and leaves to eat

Trees are so beautiful when they come alive in spring with blossom. In Washington DC the streets are lined with cherry blossom trees given by the Japanese after WWII as a peace offering. You'll see more in Canada.  We once did a drive north south - or was it the other way around - in the Fall (autumn) to see the Maple leaves changing colour (as well as tourist sites along the route. You could do the same for cherry blossom.

Over in Europe the streets of Hatch End and Pinner in North London have cherry or plum blossom. I rush out with my camera on sunny days. Apparently Sweden, which I would associate with fir trees, also has cherry blossom.

Over in Asia, Japan has many types of cherry blossom. Singapore is better known for palm trees, coconut palms, and fruit and nut trees such as mango and cashew nut trees. But an excellent article in Today newspaper of Singapore alerted me to different types of cherry and similar fruit trees. The newspaper reporters interviewed at expert at Gardens By The Bay, an outing which I recommend. I spent most of the day there. We booked online in advance we thought to be sure of getting and reduce queuing but still had to walk around to find the right queue and then queue to collecting tickets. Afterwards we enjoyed the free surrounding area which has waterside walks through tree-lined paths with notice boards describing the trees.

I am compiling and keeping a Keynote slide presentation on trees. (Keynote is Apple's version of Powerpoint.)

If you are short of time and can't book Gardens By The Bay in Singapore, go to the Botanical Gardens. See my next post on the Botanical Gardens.

Gardens By The Bay

http://www.todayonline.com/lifestyle/travel/five-things-say-sound-cherry-blossom-expert
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.