A long walk and a very unique tree

avatar

elaeocarpus_hainanensis.jpg

A couple of days ago we had to get out of home on some errands. Just as we were leaving we had a request from our son to pick him up on our way back. Unexpectedly and to our delight we finished all our work early and hubs and I decided to take a walk in the park near the university as we waited for our son. I saw this strange little tree and took some pictures of this as I had no clue what kind of a tree this was. Checking out my pictures online told me that this tree is known as elaeocarpus hainanensis.

img_2686.jpg

This tree is native to China and is said to be found Hainan, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam etc. Source
I understood why this tree was in that section of this park now. This side of the park is called the bonsai park. So trees native to china and Japan have been planted all around. This is not a bonsai but would have made a wonderful bonsai since the tree itself is short (just about 5-6 meters tall) and the flowers looks so pretty.

img_2683.jpg

The flowers looked like feathers and were in bunches. These are shaped like the dangling umbrella shaped earrings that are very popular with women in these parts. The blooms in shades of white green and salmon looks so attractive. The fruits are green when young, but turn reddish as they grow older. They are shaped like spades (the symbol in playing card) but with longish tips and are pretty as well.

img_2687.jpg

Here are some of the moneytree bonsai and ficus bonsai. There are a few dozen varieties of bonsai in the park. However, they are not so well maintained. The pandemic has affected the maintained of parks as well. I hope once the pandemic is over experts will trim and re-pot these bonsai. I would mind doing some volunteer work here for bonsai maintenance.

img_2704.jpg

I enjoyed every feet of this walk as there were bonsai trees everywhere. The lovely bamboo walking path was cool and protected us from the evening sun.

img_2690.jpg

Do you see how sunny it was a little away from the walking part path? Our walk around this area I love the sound of bamboo trees in the wind. It sometimes does seem eerie, but these young trees sound rather nice.

img_2708.jpg

Usually there would be children playing and running around, but during this pandemic season there are no children in parks and public places.

There are no vendors of toys, edible stuff and bubble makers anywhere. Those are the things that make parks colorful apart from flowers.

Since maintenance staff are also working in shifts these parks are not really well cared for, many of the lovely flowers, waterlily ponds have all dried and are empty.

img_2709.jpg

A lovely tamarind bonsai but desperately needing some care

Although that was sad we were still counting our blessings as we walked these parks. Happy that the trees and most of the perennials are cared for by the staff there.

Have you ever seen this elaeocarpus hainanensis tree before? Do you like it?

All images used in this post belong to @sofs-su



0
0
0.000
14 comments
avatar

I love this photo

image.png

The composition is just great. This image can be a nice wallpaper on the desktop. Icon on the right side and you can enjoy the flower in the middle.

Btw, do the park always that empty? Its like an abandon park.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Awwwww... Poor Bonsai trees. They really do look like they need a little TLC. I am sure they will get it soon enough. What a beautiful walk. I wish we had a bonsai park here, but a place called Longwood Gardens is the closest thing around. It's about an hour from my home.

They also have an Orchid House!

A collection that started with the passion of two people, and was then skillfully cared for and enhanced by our expert orchid growers over the last hundred years, has grown into our current orchid collection of 5,500 plants representing 2,500 different taxa.

89370_Garden_Highlights_Davis_Harold_Hank_Longwood_Volunteer_Photographer__2.jpg

Website Link Here - Longwood Gardens Orchid House

0
0
0.000
avatar

I know they look sad.
I hope they will get their share of TLC
Wow!! that orchid house is amazing.
Have you written about this place before like in a post or something?

0
0
0.000
avatar

Nope. I really need to, but first a visit is in order for picture taking purposes. Maybe this winter when the holiday displays are up.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Hope to read your post soon. I am sure it will be filled with amazing pictures.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Looking at that bonsai tamarind, I thought about the moringa bonsai. Maybe it will be more useful because we can cook the moringa leaves.

About the flowers you shared, I've never seen that before. Thanks for sharing.

0
0
0.000
avatar
(Edited)

Hmm so you have a moringa bonsai? I love bonsai's and have various fruit trees and various kinds of ficus , all in training though.
Thanks for stopping by @anggreklestari

0
0
0.000
avatar

The tree is very beautiful, really unique. Thanks for sharing

0
0
0.000
avatar

Yeah, at least to us in these parts it is a unique tree. Thank you very much @karbea for stopping by.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Wow, there are some terrific shots in this post, @sofs-su. I love the "earring" plants! I see why you called them that. I love all the bonsai plants. What a beautiful form of garden art. They always bring on such a sense of peace for me, when I see them.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Absolutely. I love bonsai too, even though i have been criticized about stunting trees and being cruel before for me these are tree that would have otherwise never existed in cities and concrete jungles and for me this is a huge blessing.
Yeah those earrings waving in the wind looked so pretty.

0
0
0.000