There are more than 7,000 trees in Alexandra Park and our resident expert, Stephen Middleton from The Friends of Alexandra Park, is introducing us to some of this favourites. 

The river Amur rises in Mongolia then weaves its way through to north-eastern
Russia to form the border with China for most of its length before entering Russia and
reaching the sea by the island of Sakhalin.

Our Tree of the Month is the Amur Maple (Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala) named
after this river and found in the region, as well as further south into China and in
Japan.

The tree was probably first brought into the country in the nineteenth century via
St Petersburg in Russia.

Our particular tree is one of three found in the area below the Palm Court often
known as the Western Arboretum. Walking down the path opposite the Palm Court
by Bus Stop “R” there are oak trees on the right hand side before you reach
Alexandra Palace Way again. Turn to the right between the third and second oaks
before the road and you will come to the Amur maple.

The tree produces small white flowers in spring very soon after the first leaves have
appeared. Then later come the seeds which are a spectacular red colour at this time
of year. The seeds are grouped in pairs with “wings”, and like other maples, they are
often known as helicopters. Their official name is samaras and these particular ones
form a ‘U’ shape.

The trees have leaves that are quite variable in shape, but are often lobed at the
base. In the autumn these leaves can colour up to yellow and red producing a fleeting
display of vibrant colour, but do not stay long on the tree.

Our tree of the month is a subspecies of the tartar maple, and is the most common
form of the tree in this country.