Origin: Mediterranean regions, Central Europe. Large deciduous tree with straight trunk and unusual smooth, grey bark. The thick crown is dense and made up of numerous ascending branches. Leaves: alternate, oval, narrow, 4-5cm long, dark green. Flowers in April-May, small, not very numerous, yellow stamens. Fruit: round drupes, brown when ripe, containing a nut which was once used to make rosaries. This tree is typical to Mediterranean regions, hardy and frugal, extremely suitable to towns as it tolerates pollution and does not suffer where there is tarmac.