Do you know how to identify a tree just by looking at its leaves, trunk or shape? Each tree has unique characteristics that make it special. After all, “what is the leaf, what is it?” Learn to recognize seven trees that fill our landscape. Take advantage and take a look at the curiosities we have to tell you at the end of the article!
Cypress (Cypressus sempervirens)
With their persistent leaves and peculiar shape, Cypresses have an extraordinary longevity, and there are specimens that are more than 1000 years old. With its conical shape and very intense green, it can reach 30 meters! Have you ever seen one?
Eucalyptus-comum (Eucalyptus globulus)
Reaching 60 meters in height, this tree has a wide, irregularly shaped crown, a smooth and straight trunk, despite having a tendency to twist in a spiral. Its leaves are lanceolate (long and end in a narrow tip).
Cork oak (Quercus suber)
Did you know that the cork oak is our tree? It is the tree of Portugal, as it is a spontaneous species in our territory. It is a tree with a thick and wide trunk, its bark (cork) is reddish-brown and very resistant to fire. The dark green leaves are small, simple and persistent, meaning it does not completely lose its leaves in the colder seasons.
White Oak (Quercus robur)
With a very branched crown, it has a trunk and branches with smooth bark when young, becoming thick and split with age, this tree is very characteristic of the Portuguese flora. Beautiful and different, with its rounded tips, the White Oak leaf is light green, turning yellowish-brown in autumn.
Olive tree (Olea europaea)
The olive tree can live hundreds or even thousands of years! Short in height and with a twisted trunk, it gives us olives, from which we extract olive oil, so important for Portugal! The grayish green leaves are small, simple, shiny, narrow and pointed.
Cerejeira (Prunus subg. Cerasus)
There are different shapes of cherry trees: triangular, columnar, “V” shaped, willows, umbrella shaped, among others. But there is a way to distinguish them, without room for error: by their beautiful white or pink flowers, which are visible between April and May! And what is its fruit? You guessed it! The delicious cherries!
Did you know that…
- Is Portugal the largest cork producer in the world?
- Does the Olive Tree have a strong symbolic component? If you notice carefully, the dove of peace carries an olive branch in its beak and the crowns of ancient Olympic winners were also made with its sprouts!
- Can olive oil, the oil extracted from olives, not only be consumed, but can it be used as lighting, as well as for medicinal and aesthetic purposes?
- Can an older cherry tree produce up to 1 million flowers simultaneously if it has been planted in a favorable location?
Source: expresso.pt
