Belfast Botanic Gardens Tree Archive
The robinia is a native of the Appalachian Mountains,
but has spread from Canada to California. It spreads aggressively in many other
countries, increasing mostly by root suckers. It is not seen that commonly
in Ireland. The flowers are pendulous rather like those of laburnum, but are
creamy white. The leaves have from 9-23 untoothed leaflets and, unusually, the
base of the leaf stalk encloses and hides the axial bud. The bark is usually
deeply fissured and the heartwood is a deep orangey brown.There are two specimens
in Belfast Botanic Gardens in the shrubby area facing the front of the Palm
House. Both flowered profusely in June 2010.
2022 - Both of these trees have now been removed. They were suckering prolifically and may have been deemed unsuitable for the area in front of the Palm House.
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| One of two Robinia trees in front of the Palm House in Belfast Botanic Gardens | Compound leaf of Robinia |
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| Robinia flowering prolifically in Belfast Botanic Gardens in 2010 | Flowers of Robinia |
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| Bark of Robinia with epicormic shoots | The axial bud in Robinia is concealed by the base of the leaf-stalk - to the right of photo |
Photos taken in Belfast Botanic Gardens in 2010. Copyright: Friends of Belfast Botanic Gardens.
Click here to view the rest of the tree archive
