Snake bark maple
A Chinese tree that dresses like a snake and wears vibrant autumn foliage.
Not surprisingly, snake bark maples can be identified by their colourfully striped bark. The leaves also turn spectacular shades of orange and yellow in the autumn.
The snakeskin pattern on the bark gives this tree its name. You’re very unlikely to see a real snake in the cemetery, but visit the cemetery catacombs [insert Top 100 link] to find some wrought iron ones! (Credit: Greywolf)
These deciduous trees originate in east Asia, growing between the eastern Himalayas and Japan. They are popular for parks and gardens in this country for their handsome bark, and because they grow quickly at first, and then more slowly as they mature.
This particular variety of maple doesn’t have the distinctive three lobed leaves you see on many other maples. Visit the Big Leafed Maple [insert Top 100 link] for a good example. (Credit: Greywolf)
Snake bark maples produce delicate strings of yellow flowers in spring. These are followed by pinkish-brown winged seeds, which are spread by the wind.
In Asia, the snake bark’s flowers are sometimes used to make a soothing essence. It’s said to be particularly helpful for calming animals who don’t like to be touched. (Credit: Ptelea / Wikimedia Commons)
This particular species is also known as Père David’s maple (Acer davidii). It was discovered in central China in about 1869 by a missionary priest and botanist called Jean Pierre Armand David. A few years later, it was rediscovered and introduced to Britain by Charles Maries, a plant hunter who worked for horticulturalist James Veitch in Chelsea.
Further information
(Credit: Greywolf)
(Credit: Greywolf)
