Tree outside Smithsonian American Art Museum in DC
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rockm
Spuds Moyogi
I noticed that tree a few years ago and have been trying to determine what kind it is. There isn't a marker on it, like many other notable trees have in D.C.
I tried looking it up online, but couldn't find anything.
ColinFraser
Masterpiece
Google street view has a picture of it in leaf, but it isn't particularly helpful for identifying it either:
Smoke
Ignore-Amus
Maybe its a hornbeam
jk_lewis
Masterpiece
Cherry? Lots of those in DC.
Dav4
Drop Branch Murphy
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It's shape reminds me of oak, but it looks too small considering it's maturity?
Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
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If I had to guess, it might be a little leaf linden - Tilia cordata, a European species often used as a landscape tree, especially commonly used in late 19th century landscape designs. There are several magnificent specimens on the grounds of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
Nope. I'm familiar with Linden. Not a linden.
Definitely not a cherry. Way too big for a hornbeam. Leaves aren't right for either.
Not an oak.
Definitely not a cherry. Way too big for a hornbeam. Leaves aren't right for either.
Not an oak.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
There are many notable trees in Washington. Along with these resources, there are several books out there that talk about historic DC trees. I've not run across this tree though.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/expr...-program-with-author-melanie-choukas-bradley/
http://www.nps.gov/nama/blogs/Silent-Sentinels-of-Storied-Landscapes.htm
https://www.washingtonpost.com/expr...-program-with-author-melanie-choukas-bradley/
http://www.nps.gov/nama/blogs/Silent-Sentinels-of-Storied-Landscapes.htm
Leo in N E Illinois
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Little Leaf Linden, grounds of Monticello, not original to T. Jefferson time, but likely planted 1825 to 1850. Shadows make it difficult to follow branches that arch to ground, and probably sent out own roots.
Monticello, in Virginia, is a great place to visit if you are into architecture, or history of USA botany, and of course if you are interested in American history. There are some trees that Jefferson planted, though most the landscape is newer. Notable trees that were documented to be on the hill of Monticello either planted by Jefferson's slaves or growing naturally and not removed, are a Juniperus virginiana and several Mulberries. There are some great old Oaks, and Ilex too though I'm not sure when they were planted. Definitely over 150 years old.
Monticello, in Virginia, is a great place to visit if you are into architecture, or history of USA botany, and of course if you are interested in American history. There are some trees that Jefferson planted, though most the landscape is newer. Notable trees that were documented to be on the hill of Monticello either planted by Jefferson's slaves or growing naturally and not removed, are a Juniperus virginiana and several Mulberries. There are some great old Oaks, and Ilex too though I'm not sure when they were planted. Definitely over 150 years old.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
Pretty familiar with Monticello. Grew up 30 miles from there. James Monroe's place, Ash Lawn, in on the next ridge to the south.
All of the founding fathers' estates in Va. have something to offer botanically, since most were working plantations in their time. Jefferson's is among the best for architecture and botanical history. Mt. Vernon has some original trees planted by George W. --two immense tulip poplar are the most visible. The boxwoods I post here occasionally are on the grounds of George Mason's Gunston Hall plantation just outside the city. James Madison's Montpelier plantation, further downstate, has one of the best old growth tulip poplar in the U.S. and is located one of most beautiful sites of all the old plantations in Va.
There are hundreds of notable trees around the Capital area that have less famous pedigrees though. The most famous are the cherry trees, but there are others. The two southern magnolias snug up against the White House on the south lawn were planted by Andrew Jackson, for instance. The Capitol building's grounds has dozens of "historic" trees.
Washington has been known as the "City of Trees" because there are so many big old trees around. a fact we're reminded of every winter and summer when ice and thunderstorms topple 150 ft. oaks, elms and sycamores onto houses.
All of the founding fathers' estates in Va. have something to offer botanically, since most were working plantations in their time. Jefferson's is among the best for architecture and botanical history. Mt. Vernon has some original trees planted by George W. --two immense tulip poplar are the most visible. The boxwoods I post here occasionally are on the grounds of George Mason's Gunston Hall plantation just outside the city. James Madison's Montpelier plantation, further downstate, has one of the best old growth tulip poplar in the U.S. and is located one of most beautiful sites of all the old plantations in Va.
There are hundreds of notable trees around the Capital area that have less famous pedigrees though. The most famous are the cherry trees, but there are others. The two southern magnolias snug up against the White House on the south lawn were planted by Andrew Jackson, for instance. The Capitol building's grounds has dozens of "historic" trees.
Washington has been known as the "City of Trees" because there are so many big old trees around. a fact we're reminded of every winter and summer when ice and thunderstorms topple 150 ft. oaks, elms and sycamores onto houses.
just.wing.it
Deadwood Head
There is a giant tree behind the treasury building, maybe an oak....I love checking it out when I'm there. It's the closest one to the SS checkpoint when entering the compound....
As stated above, there are many huge old trees all arouned the capitol.
As stated above, there are many huge old trees all arouned the capitol.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
The Treasury building's south side? Those are willow oaks. BIG willow oaks.
The mall, from the Lincoln Memorial to Capitol Hill, has hundreds of big old American Elms, Bald Cypress, and a dozen other species. First photo is looking south from the White House to the mall. Second is one of the oldest cherry trees and third is the Japanese lantern that was donated by the Japanese government along with the second or third batch of cherries in the 50's.
The mall, from the Lincoln Memorial to Capitol Hill, has hundreds of big old American Elms, Bald Cypress, and a dozen other species. First photo is looking south from the White House to the mall. Second is one of the oldest cherry trees and third is the Japanese lantern that was donated by the Japanese government along with the second or third batch of cherries in the 50's.
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LanceMac10
Imperial Masterpiece
Too bad there isn't a few politicians danglin' from 'dem sturdy branches!!
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
FWIW, I have a hunch this is a hackberry...I may be wrong though.
just.wing.it
Deadwood Head
Yeah south side!
Smoke
Ignore-Amus
Why not just get a photo of the leaves. It should be leafing out about now....or soon.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
Never really got up close to it. I see it on my way to work events in the area and haven't made the effort. Nothing is close to leafing out here yet. We had single digit temps last week, snow this week and next. Another couple of weeks...
