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Big City, Big Trees
3. Oak Circle
Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica)
| Native Habitat: | Caucasus, northern Iran |
Photo: Romi Ige.
Though Persian ironwood is not big in size—it grows about 25 feet tall—it is "big" in coloration. The tree's spring flowers are a dazzling red; its autumn foliage goes from green to yellow to orange to purple-red; and the bark of mature trees peels off to expose red and orange patches. You might be tempted to think the tree is named after a colorful parrot, but Parrotia is actually derived from F.W. Parrot, the name of a German naturalist.
Notable Neighbors:
- 3A. Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea)
- 3B. White oak (Quercus alba)
- 3C. Weeping beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Pendula')
- 3D. Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica)