■ The young leaves of the Katsura tree are beautiful (1) The photo shows a Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) whose fresh young leaves have burst forth all at once. Bathed in the morning sunlight, they shine in a bright and beautiful yellow-green color. A gentle breeze softly sways the branches. ■ This photo was taken on April 9. Even though such beautiful street trees line the area, many people walk by looking down, without noticing or paying attention to the young leaves as they grow. ■ Let us keep a margin in our hearts to appreciate the beauty of nature’s transitions within the city. ■ The Katsura tree is a deciduous tall tree native to Japan. ■ 【Street Trees-64】 Because of its elegant tree form and the beauty of its leaves, the Katsura tree is highly popular as a street tree, park tree, and garden tree. #Katsura #Cercidiphyllum_japonicum #StreetTrees

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■ [Fruiing -16] [Street Tree -18] Even in the peak of summer, the acorns of the Japanese Blue Oak (Matebashii) are already ripening. ■ Quercus phillyraeoides, known as Matebashii, is a tall evergreen oak native to Japan, commonly found in warm regions. ■ Its leaves are thick, glossy, and lance-shaped with smooth edges, creating a dense, dark green canopy. ■ The large, shiny leaves grow in clusters at branch tips, giving the tree a well-composed and elegant appearance. ■ The acorns are more slender than those of other oaks, turning yellowish-brown as they mature and falling in autumn. ■ The shallow cupule (cap) covers about a third of the nut and is densely lined with fine scales. ■ Low in tannins, these acorns can even be eaten raw. They were an important food source for the Jomon people in ancient Japan. ■ Matebashii is often planted in parks and along streets, contributing to urban greenery and biodiversity. #Matebashii #JapaneseBlueOak #Acorn #Edible #StreetTree #UrbanNature #JomonEra

🌳【Street Trees 9】Chinese Fraxinus (Fraxinus griffithii) is in full bloom! ■ This evergreen tree from the olive family (Oleaceae) produces fluffy clusters of tiny white flowers at the tips of its branches from late June to July. Once you’ve seen it bloom, you’ll recognize it instantly wherever you go. ■ With its sleek upright trunk, balanced shape, and neatly arranged leaves, it’s become increasingly popular over the past decade as a garden and street tree. It lines the streets of Tokyo Station and Ginza as well. ■ Originally native to subtropical and tropical mountain regions, it was once familiar mainly in the southern islands of Japan. But now it’s even used as a street tree as far north as Tohoku, and its blooming display there is truly impressive. ■ Over 20 trees are now in bloom along the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station. (Photos taken in Aichi Prefecture.) #ShimatoneRiko #Oleaceae #StreetTrees #SummerFlowers #TokyoTrees

■ 🌿【Message】 Plants steadily move forward each day along the path of fruiting. We, too, should strive to move forward each day—steadily, even if only by a small step. ■ 🌳【Street Trees-16】【Fruiting-9】 In early summer, the female Ilex rotunda (Kurogane-mochi) trees are quietly swelling with countless green fruits—on their way to ripen into vivid red by autumn. ■ (Note: Only female trees bear fruit, as the species is dioecious.) ■ Native to Japan’s Kanto region and westward, Kurogane-mochi is a glossy-leaved evergreen tree from the holly family. It blooms in May–June with pale purple to cream-colored flowers, and its spherical fruits mature red in November–December. ■ The name “Kurogane” (literally “black metal”) refers to the dark purple hue of young twigs and petioles, and the iron-like color the leaves take on when dried. ■ The name “Kurogane-mochi” sounds similar to “kanemochi” (meaning “wealthy person” in Japanese), and for this reason, the tree is considered auspicious(—symbolizing good fortune and prosperity).   ■ The tree is commonly planted along streets, in parks, and gardens. Its abundance of fruit and lustrous foliage are part of its popularity. ■ 🔴 Caution: The red fruits are toxic to humans, dogs, and cats if consumed in large amounts. They contain compounds such as ilicin, caffeine, and theobromine, which may cause vomiting and diarrhea. #IlexRotunda #KuroganeMochi #StreetTrees #UrbanNature #Fruiting #ToxicPlants #JapaneseTrees

■ 【Street Tree#8】　A graceful pink hibiscus flower, a symbol of summer, is now in full bloom! ■ The Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a deciduous shrub of the mallow family. ■ It blooms continuously from July to October, offering color from summer through autumn. ■ The flowers come in white, pink, and purple, blooming in the morning and fading by evening—a true “one-day flower.” ■ Admired in ancient China and Korea, it was also celebrated in Japan’s Manyoshu poetry anthology. ■ Unlike similar flowers like Fuyou (Hibiscus mutabilis), the Mukuge fully opens its petals and displays a prominent straight pistil with both stamens and stigma. ■ Its leaves are small, ovate, and have coarse serrated edges—darker and smaller than Fuyou leaves. ■ Widely used as a garden shrub, hedge, or street tree, it’s also favored in tea ceremonies. ■ Its flower language: “Conviction” and “New beauty.” A resilient bloom brimming with life. 　#Mukuge #Hibiscus #OneDayFlower 　#StreetTree #MallowFamily

■ The Chinese Privet (Ligustrum lucidum) is now in full bloom. ■ Native to China, this evergreen tree of the olive family (Oleaceae) was introduced to Japan in the early Meiji period as an ornamental plant. It thrives in warm areas west of the Kanto region and is commonly seen as a street tree or in parks and gardens. ■ Blooming from June to July, its small white flowers cluster into cone-shaped inflorescences at the tips of branches, emitting a sweet scent that attracts insects. ■ Compared to the closely related Ligustrum japonicum, its glossier and larger leaves, as well as profuse flowering, make it visible even from afar. The lateral veins become clearly visible when the leaves are held up to light. ■ The dark purple fruits are toxic and may cause vomiting or diarrhea, though in Chinese medicine, the dried fruits (called “Nu Zhen Zi”) are used therapeutically. The bark and leaves can also irritate the skin. ■ It reproduces vigorously, often spreading into the wild via birds. It’s now common even in urban settings. #LigustrumLucidum #Privet #Trees #Oleaceae

🌳【Street Tree 10】The flower spikes of the Chinese tallow tree are now in bloom. ■ Triadica sebifera (Chinese tallow tree) is a deciduous tall tree in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), native to China and other parts of East Asia. ■ It produces yellow spike-like flowers from June to July, but they’re so inconspicuous that most people overlook them (see the second half of the video). ■ A unique feature: male flowers grow on the upper part of the spike, while female flowers are found below. ■ The leaves are broadly ovate, almost diamond-shaped, with long pointed tips—visually appealing throughout the seasons. In autumn, they turn brilliant shades of red. ■ When the fruits split open, wax-coated white seeds emerge, adding visual interest even in winter. ■ Caution: the seeds are toxic and must never be ingested. ■ In the past, the wax was used as lamp fuel. Today, the tree is appreciated as a popular street tree for its stunning fall foliage. #StreetTree #ChineseTallowTree #UrbanTrees #FallFoliage #TreeWatching