Being 90 years old shouldn't stop you trying something new, even if you're a tree!

In 1908 E.H. Wilson, a collector of plants, brought a specimen of a rare Goat Horn Tree back to Ireland from mainland China. Over one hundred years later, there is a living descendent of the specimen in the Rowallane Gardens in Saintfield, Northern Ireland. That little tree has been living there for the past 90 years, and this year, for the very first time ever, it decided to bloom.

There are only two Goat Horn Trees in the UK, and the other has bloomed a couple of times over the past century. No one is sure why, but early this month the tree started to grow flower buds, which started to open a week or so later. Apparently the blossoms have a light scent, and there are expected to be hundreds of flowers on the tree before it’s bloom is done. After the flowers are gone, the tree grows long, curved, spindle-shaped fruits that give the tree it’s name, as they look like goat horns.

It’s lovely to hear of something like this. The tree is very rare and is obviously well taken care of by the gardeners at Rowallane Gardens! I attempted to Google what the trees look like in general, or a picture of the fruit, but I can’t actually find any! A testament to the rarity of the plant indeed!

Fortunately Treehugger, the site with the article, has a picture of the actual tree in question, though only the flowers. I’m rather looking forward to seeing what these goat-horn like fruits will look like!

So do you know of a rare tree in your area? Or do you have a favourite tree near by? I’d love to tour the country one day and visit all the ancient trees listed on The Wood Trust site.

I remain, visiting some ancient trees,

Morgan D