Ginkgo

Alias: Gongsun tree, white fruit tree

Scientific name: Ginkgo bilobaL.

Traits: Ginkgoaceae Ginkgo genus. Deciduous tree with gray bark. Leaves fan-shaped. Dioecious. Seeds drupelike.

Distribution: only 1 species of 1 genus in 1 family, endemic to China. Cultivated in parks, courtyards, roadsides and ancient temples in Beijing. Prefers warm, humid climate.

Use: Ornamental and timber species, national second-class protected plants. Seeds can be eaten, medicine, leaves can be extracted ginkgo alcohol.

White Pole

Alias: Spruce, McSpruce

Scientific name: Picea meyeri Rehd. et Wils

Traits: Pine family Spruce. Evergreen tree with leaf pillows on branchlets. Needle leaves are linear, covered with white powder. Monoecious. Bulbous flowers solitary at branch apex. Seeds drupelike.

Distribution: Distributed in the mountains above 1500 m in Miyun County, Beijing. It is widely cultivated in various parks.

Use: Ornamental and timber tree.

North China larch

Scientific name: Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr

Traits: Pine family larch. Deciduous trees, gray-brown bark, leaf striped. Monoecious. Seed cones ovoid.

Distribution: endemic to China, distributed above 1400 meters above sea level. Cultivated in the mountains of Beijing at an altitude of more than 800 meters. Cold hardy.

Use: Timber tree. The material is strong and heavy, and is used for construction. The trunk can be harvested to cut turpentine, bark can be extracted tannin.

Cedar

Scientific name: Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don

Traits: pine family Cedrus. Evergreen tree with tower-shaped crown and spreading branches. Leaves needle-shaped. Monoecious. Seed cones ovoid.

Distribution: native to the Himalayas and other places, our country more introduced cultivation. Beijing is widely seen in major parks and courtyards.

Use: World famous ornamental tree and timber tree. Sensitive to HF and SO2.

White Pine

Scientific name: Pinus bungeana Zucc.ex Endl.

Traits: Pine family Pinaceae. Evergreen tree with mottled, grayish-white bark. Needle leaves, 3 needles in a bundle. Monoecious. Seed cones ovoid.

Distribution: endemic to China, distributed in mountainous areas at an altitude of 500-1500 meters. Cultivated in Beijing, it is barren and SO2 resistant.

Use: Excellent greening tree and garden ornamental tree. The fruit can be used as medicine, and the seeds can be eaten.

Huashan Pine

Scientific name: Pinus armandii Franch

Traits: Pine family Pinaceae. Evergreen tree with gray-brown bark. Needles and leaves are in bundles of 5 needles. Monoecious. Seed cones ovoid.

Distribution: endemic to China, distributed in mountains above 1000 meters above sea level. It is commonly cultivated in parks, green areas and courtyards in Beijing.

Use: Timber and garden ornamental tree. The seeds are edible or can be used for oil extraction, and the bark can be used for extracting tannin.

Oil pine

Scientific name: Pinus tabulaeformis Carr

Traits: Pinus sylvestris. Evergreen tree, adult tree crown often flat-topped, gray-brown bark. Needle leaves, 2 needles in a bundle. Monoecious. Seed cones ovoid.

Distribution: endemic to China. It is distributed in the middle and low mountains of Beijing, and widely cultivated all over the world. Cold-resistant, barren.

Use: timber, protective forest and greening ornamental species. Seeds can be extracted oil, trunk can be extracted fat, pine needles and pollen can be used as medicine.

Metasequoia

Scientific name: Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu et Cheng

Traits: Metasequoia, family Fir. Deciduous tree with gray-brown bark. Leaves striped, decussate, twisted into 2 rows. Monoecious. Fruit subglobose.

Distribution: endemic to China. Cultivated in Xiangshan Cherry Groove and some parks in Beijing. Prefers humidity.

Use: Fast-growing timber tree and ornamental tree. State-level protected plants.

Lateral cypress

Alias: cypress, cypress

Scientific name: Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco

Traits: cypress family lateral cypress genus. Evergreen tree with light gray bark and flattened branchlets. Leaves all scale-like, decussate. Monoecious. Fruit ovoid.

Distribution: native to China and Korea. Widely cultivated in urban and rural areas of Beijing. Cold hardy, resistant to drought and barrenness.

Use: One of the trees in Beijing, an important greening tree. Roots, bark, leaves and seeds can be used as medicine.

North American incense cedar

Alias: incense cedar

Scientific name: Thuja occidentalis L.

Traits: Cypress family Cliff Cedar. Evergreen tree, branchlets arranged in ground plane. Leaves scale-shaped, opposite, crushed and fragrant. Monoecious. Seed cones reddish brown, seeds with wings.

Distribution: native to North America. Cultivated in some parks in Beijing.

Use: Ornamental tree.

Forked cypress

Alias: Sandy cypress

Scientific name: Sabina vulgaris Ant.

Traits: Cypress family Cypress. Creeping shrub. Leaves dimorphic: scalelike and spiny. Seed cones ovate.

Distribution: Native to Central Asia and Europe. It is cultivated in Beijing's parks and Yanqing County, and is resistant to drought and barrenness.

Use: Garden ornamental and greening pioneer species. Branches, trunks and roots can be extracted for flavor.

Cypress

Alias: Juniperus chinensis, Juniperus communis

Scientific name: Sabina chinensis (L.) Ant.

Traits: Cypress family Cypressaceae. Evergreen tree, crown ovoid. Leaves dimorphic: scalelike and spiny, in whorls of 3 or decussate. Dioecious. Seed cones fleshy, subglobose, with white powder.

Distribution: native to China. Commonly cultivated throughout Beijing. Tolerant of drought and barrenness.

Use: Ornamental and timber tree. Branches and leaves can be used as medicine.

Long cypress

Scientific name: Sabina chinensis (L.) Ant.cv.Kaizuca

Traits: Cultivated varieties of cypress in the genus Cypress, family Cypress. It is an evergreen tree with branches spreading straight upward and twisted. The leaves are all scalelike.

Distribution: Cultivated in parks and green areas in Beijing.

Use: Ornamental tree.

Maohuai Poplar

Scientific name: Populus tomentosa Carr.

Traits: Populus family Populus. Deciduous tree with grayish-white bark. Leaves alternate. Dioecious, catkin. Capsule, seeds with seed hairs.

Distribution: Endemic to China. Widely cultivated throughout Beijing. Cold hardy, resistant to atmospheric pollution.

Use: timber and the main greening tree species in the plains.

Xinjiang Poplar

Scientific name: Populus alba L.var.pyramidalis Bge.

Traits: Populus alba L.var.pyramidalis Bge.

Traits: Populus alba L.var.pyramidalis Bge. Deciduous tree, crown cylindrical, lateral branches gathered upward, bark gray-brown. Single leaves alternate. Dioecious, catkin.

Distribution: native to Central Asia. Cultivated in Beijing, growing better in Yanqing County. Drought-resistant.

Use: Protective forests and ornamental trees.

Canada Poplar

Alias: Canada Poplar

Scientific name: Populus Canadensis Moench.

Traits: Populus family Populus. Deciduous tree, bark dark gray, longitudinal fissure. Leaves alternate, triangular. Dioecious.

Distribution: native to America. Cultivated in some parks and roadsides in Beijing. Prefers humidity.

Use: greening and ornamental trees.

Small-leaved poplar

Scientific name: Populus simonii Carr.

Traits: Populus family Populus. Deciduous trees, gray-green bark, twigs with ribs. Leaves alternate, nearly rhombic, widest above the middle. Dioecious, catkin.

Distribution: endemic to China. Distributed in the mountains of Beijing, and cultivated in the sandy plains. Resistant to wind.

Use: Protective forest and timber tree.

Mountain poplar

Scientific name: Populus davidiana Dode

Traits: Populus davidiana Dode. Deciduous tree with grayish-white bark. Shun suborbicular. Dioecious, catkin. Capsule.

Use: Timber tree. Bark can be used as medicine.

Dry willow

Scientific name: Salix matsudana Koidz

Traits: Willow of the family Populus. Deciduous tree with dark gray bark. Leaves alternate, lanceolate, abaxial gray-white. Dioecious, catkin. Capsule, seeds with seed hairs.

Distribution: Produced in China, Korea, Japan and other places. Commonly cultivated in urban and rural areas of Beijing. Cold-resistant, drought-resistant.

Use: Protective forests and greening species, can also be used as timber species.

Commonly used plants in northern gardens2

Plum

Alias: Jade Emperor Plum

Scientific name: Prunus salicina Lindl.

Traits: Rosaceae Plum genus. Deciduous small tree. Leaves obovate, leaf margin biserrate. Flowers often in clusters of 3, pedicellate, petals white. Drupe, waxy powder.

Distribution: Cultivated in orchards and gardens in Beijing.

Use: The fruit is eaten fresh, and the kernel is used as medicine.

Red Leaf Plum

Alias: Cherry Plum

Scientific name: Prunus cerasifera Ehrh.f.atropurpurea (jacq.) Rehd.

Trait: Plum genus of the Rosaceae. Deciduous small tree. Leaves elliptic, purple. Flowers often solitary, petals pale pink. Drupe.

Distribution: Widely cultivated in Beijing streets, gardens and parks.

Use: Ornamental tree.

Japanese cherry blossom

Scientific name: Prunus yedoensis Matsum.

Traits: genus Li, family Rosaceae. Deciduous tree. Leaves elliptic or obovate, petiole often with 2 glands. Racemes, opening before leaves, petals white or pink. Drupe black.

Distribution: native to Japan. Cultivated in parks such as Yuyuantan in Beijing.

Use: A famous ornamental tree.

Pearl Plum

Alias: North China Pearl Plum

Scientific name: Sorbaria kirilowii (Regel) Maxim.

Trait: Pearl Plum genus of the Rosaceae family. Shrubs. Oddly pinnately compound leaves, leaf margins biserrate. Terminal panicle, white, flowering in summer, long flowering period. Follicles.

Distribution: There is a small distribution in the mountains of Beijing. Cultivated in parks, green areas and courtyards.

Use: Ornamental species.

White Pear

Scientific name: Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.

Trait: Pear genus of Rosaceae. Deciduous tree. Leaf margins acutely serrate and awned. Umbellate racemes, white. Pear fruit yellow.

Distribution: Widely cultivated in Beijing suburbs and courtyards. Cold hardy.

Use: One of the main fresh fruits in Beijing, eaten raw or processed into canned food and preserves. It can also be used as an ornamental.

Mountain apricot

Alias: wild apricot, an apricot

Scientific name: Prunus armeniaca L. var.ansu Maxim.

Traits: genus Prunus of the family Rosaceae. Deciduous tree, branchlets brown. Leaves nearly rounded. Flowers 2 concurrent. Drupe, globose.

Distribution: native to W Asia. Commonly wild and cultivated in the lower mountains of Beijing. Cold-resistant, drought-resistant.

Use: Soil and water conservation and ornamental tree. Seed kernels are edible and medicinal.

Apricot

Scientific name: Prunus armeniaca L.

Traits: genus Prunus, family Rosaceae. Deciduous tree, shoots brown. Leaves ovoid, leaf margin obtusely serrate. Flowers solitary, sessile, flower first, then leaves, petals white or light pink. Drupe, pubescent.

Distribution: widely cultivated throughout Beijing.

Use: Ornamental tree. The fruit can be eaten raw or made into dried apricots, dried apricots, almonds can be eaten or used as medicine.

Peach

Scientific name: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch f. ru bra-plena Schneid.

Traits: Peach variant of the genus Li, family Rosaceae. Deciduous tree. Leaves alternate, elliptic-lanceolate. Flowers often solitary, double, opening before leaves, red. Drupe.

Distribution: Beijing's parks and green spaces are cultivated. Hardy.

Use: Ornamental tree.

Elmium

Scientific name: Prunus triloba Lindl.

Traits: genus Li of the family Rosaceae. Deciduous shrub. Leaf apex often 3-lobed, the edge is biserrate. Flowers 1~2, open before leaves, pink. Drupe.

Distribution: Distributed in the mountains of Beijing, widely cultivated in parks and green areas.

Use: Ornamental tree.

Acacia

Alias: Fluffy tree, horse cherry

Scientific name: Albizia julibrissin Duraxx.

Trait: Acacia genus of Leguminosae. Deciduous tree. Bark gray. Leaves bipinnate, leaflets falcate, entire. Heads, pink. Pods flattened.

Distribution: Cultivated in parks, green spaces and courtyards in Beijing. Prefers warm, sandy soil and dry climate. Resistant to pollution.

Use: Ornamental tree. The wood can be used as furniture, and the bark and flower buds can be used as medicine.

Bauhinia

Scientific name: Cercis chinensis Bge.

Trait: Bauhinia, family Leguminosae. Deciduous shrub. Leaves alternate, suborbicular, entire. Flowers open before leaves, clustered on old branches, purplish red. Pods.

Distribution: Cultivated in parks, green spaces and courtyards in Beijing.

Use: Ornamental tree. The bark, wood and roots are used as medicine.

Saffron Mallow

Alias: Goldfinch

Scientific name: Caragana rosea Turcz.

Traits: Leguminosae Mallow. Deciduous shrub. Leaflets 4, pseudopalmatically arranged. Flowers solitary, butterfly-shaped corolla, yellow or light red. Pods, brown.

Distribution: Beijing suburban mountains are distributed, born on slopes, ditches, roadsides or thickets.

Use: Ornamental and soil conservation tree.

Saponaria

Scientific name: Gleditsia sinensis Lam.

Traits: Leguminosae. Deciduous tree with branched spines and even pinnately compound leaves. Flowers polygamous, racemes, yellow-white. Pods.

Distribution: Distributed in the mountains of Beijing, and cultivated in parks and courtyards. Resistant to HF, SO2 and CL2.

Use: Timber and ornamental tree. Branches and thorns, fruits and seeds can be used as medicine.

Sophora japonica

Alias: Sophora japonica, Sophora japonica

Scientific name: Sophora japonica L.

Traits: Sophora japonica, family Leguminosae. Deciduous tree, branchlets green. Oddly pinnately compound leaves, leaflets entire. Panicle, terminal, yellowish white. Pods, moniliform.

Distribution: native to China. One of the trees in Beijing, widely cultivated all over the world. Resistant to SO2, CL2, HCL and soot.

Use: Timber and ornamental tree. Flowers and fruits are used as medicine.

Long-jawed acacia

Scientific name: sophora japonica L. var. pendula Loud.

Traits: Sophora japonica var. Deciduous tree, large branches twisted upward, branchlets pendulous. Leaves odd-pinnate. Pods moniliform.

Distribution: Cultivated in parks, courtyards and green spaces in Beijing.

Use: Ornamental tree.

Purple acacia

Scientific name: Amorpha fruticosa L.

Traits: Leguminosae. Deciduous shrub. Oddly pinnately compound leaves. Panicle. Pods, cylindrical, with verrucose glands.

Distribution: Native to the United States. Cultivated in Beijing on sandy land and beside roads and canals. Tolerant of shade, drought, water, moisture and salinity.

Use: Soil and water conservation and protective forest species. Branches can be woven into baskets, shoots and leaves can be used as fodder.

Acacia

Alias: Robinia pseudoacacia

Scientific name: Robinia pseudoacacia L.

Traits: Leguminosae acacia genus. Deciduous tree. Oddly pinnately compound leaves, with 2 stipular spines. Racemes, white. Pods.

Distribution: native to the United States. Widely cultivated throughout Beijing. Resistant to drought and barrenness.

Use: Timber and protective forest species. Also ornamental. Flowers are a source of honey.

Pepper

Scientific name: Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim.

Traits: Rutaceae pepper genus. Shrubs or small trees, fragrant, often prickly. Leaves odd-pinnate, alternate, leaflets 5~9. Flowers unisexual, in panicles, terminal. Follicles, red.

Distribution: Native to China. Cultivated in the low mountainous areas of Beijing. Drought-resistant.

Use: The pericarp is used for flavoring and medicine. Seeds can be extracted oil.

The stinky toon

Scientific name: Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) swingle

Traits: Bitterwood family stinky toon genus. Deciduous tree with dark gray bark. Leaves odd-pinnate, leaflets with 2~4 glandular teeth. Flowers polygamous, panicles, white with green. Samaras.

Distribution: Cultivated or distributed throughout Beijing. Hardy, resistant to drought, barrenness and salinity. Resistant to air pollution.

Use: Timber and ornamental tree. Roots and bark can be used as medicine.

Qiantouchun

Scientific name: Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle cv. Qiantouchun

Traits: Cultivated varieties of Qiantouchun in the genus Qiantouchun of the family Bitterwood. Deciduous tree, densely branched, crown subglobose. Leaves odd-pinnate, glandular teeth inconspicuous. Flowers heterosexual, panicle, samara.

Distribution: Cultivated in parks and roadsides in Beijing. Resistance to air pollution is high

Use: Ornamental timber species.

Toona sinensis

Scientific name: Toona sinensis (A.Juss.) Roem.

Trait: Toona sinensis is a genus of Neem family. Deciduous tree with longitudinally fissured bark. Leaves many even-pinnate, leaflets entire or shallowly serrate. Panicle, white. Capsule.

Distribution: native to China. Cultivated throughout Beijing. Tolerant of water and humidity, slightly less cold and drought tolerant.

Use: Timber and ornamental tree. Young leaves are edible, root bark, fruit can be used as medicine.

Buxus

Alias: small-leaved boxwood, jinshu boxwood, boxwood, melon boxwood

Scientific name: Buxus sinica (Rehd. et Wils.) Cheng

Traits: Boxwood family Boxaceae. Evergreen shrub, branchlets green, 4-angled. Leaves opposite, entire, leathery. Flowers in clusters, without petals, capsule.

Distribution: native to Japan. Cultivated throughout Beijing.

Use: Ornamental tree, often used as hedges, bark can be used as medicine.

Torch tree

Alias: Antler lacquer tree

Scientific name: Rhus typhina L.

Traits: Lacertaceae saltbush genus. Shrubs or small trees, odd-pinnate; branchlets, petioles, leaf rachises and inflorescences densely pilose. Panicles, terminal. Drupe, infructescence red, torch-like.

Distribution: native to North America. Widely cultivated in the eastern suburbs of Beijing. Drought-resistant. Tolerant of barrenness, salinity

Distribution: Native to North America. Widely cultivated in the suburbs of Beijing. It is drought-resistant, barren, and saline-resistant.

Use: Soil and water conservation and ornamental trees.

Hollyweed

Alias: Big Leaf Boxwood

Scientific name: Euonymus japonicus Thunb.

Traits: Weigeliaceae Weigelia genus. Evergreen shrub or small tree, branchlets green, 4-angled. Leaves alternate, obtusely serrate. Cymes. Capsule, aril red.

Distribution: native to Japan. Cultivated in Beijing.

Use: Ornamental tree, often used as hedges. Bark can be used as medicine.

Yuanbao maple

Alias: Hiraki maple

Scientific name: Acer truncatum Bge.

Trait: Maple family Maple. Deciduous tree. Single leaf opposite, often 3~5-lobed. Flowers polygamous. Double-winged fruit.

Distribution: native to China. Widely cultivated in urban and rural areas of Beijing.

Use: Ornamental and timber tree.

Cockspur

Scientific name: Acer palmatum Thumb.

Traits: Maple family Maple. Deciduous small trees, twigs purple. Single leaves opposite, 7~9-palmatically parted, lobe margins biserrate. Corymbs, polygamous, petals purple. Samaras.

Distribution: Cultivated in some parks in Beijing.

Use: Ornamental tree.

Hepatica

Alias: Hepatica

Scientific name: Aesculus chinensis Bge.

Traits: Hepatica, family Hepaticaceae, genus Hepatica. Deciduous tree. Leaves palmately compound, long-stalked, leaflets 5~7. Panicle, white. Capsule.

Distribution: native to China. Parks in Beijing. Cultivated in temples.

Use: Timber and ornamental tree.

Luan

Scientific name: Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm.

Trait: Luan in the family Sapindaceae. Deciduous tree. Leaves pinnately compound or bipinnate, leaflets serrate. Panicles terminal, yellow. Capsule, saccate.

Distribution: native to China. Distributed in the mountains of Beijing, and cultivated in parks and roadsides. Tolerant of drought and barrenness.

Use: Timber and ornamental tree. Flowers are a source of nectar.

Wutong

Alias: Qingtong

Scientific name: Firmiana simplex (L.f.) Wright

Traits: Sycamore family Sycamoreaceae Briar. Deciduous tree with gray-green bark. Leaves palmately 3~5-lobed, long-stalked. Panicles, flowers green. Follicles, leaves mounted.

Distribution: native to China and Japan. Commonly cultivated in parks and courtyards in Beijing. Not hardy.

Use: Ornamental and timber tree. Leaves, flowers and roots are used as medicine.

Tamarix

Alias: Juniper tamarisk, Shanchuan willow, Guanyin willow, Xihe willow, North China sacred willow

Scientific name: Tamarix chinensis Lour.

Traits: Tamarixaceae tamarisk genus. Shrub or small tree, branches purple-red. Leaves scale-like, light blue-green. Racemes, pink, flowers bisexual. Capsule.

Distribution: endemic to China. There are a few wild ones in the Yongding River basin in Beijing, and they are cultivated in various parks. Resistant to salinity, water, moisture and drought.

Use: river bank and saline and alkaline land greening tree species, also ornamental. Young branches and leaves can be used as medicine.

Violet

Alias: Itchy Tree

Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia indica L.

Traits: Viburnum genus. Deciduous shrub or tree with smooth branches. Leaves subsessile, elliptic. Terminal panicle, bright red. Capsule.

Distribution: native to China. It is commonly cultivated in parks, courtyards and green spaces in Beijing.

Use: Ornamental tree. The bark, roots and flowers are used as medicine.

Pomegranate

Scientific name: Punica granatum L.

Traits: Punica granatum is a genus of pomegranate in the family Punicaceae. Small trees, spiny. Leaves opposite or clustered, entire. Flowers bisexual, red. Paddle fruit.

Distribution: native to southern Asia. Cultivated in parks and courtyards in Beijing. Prefers warmth, tolerates drought.

Use: Ornamental tree. The fruit is edible.

Red Raspberry

Alias: Starling Wood

Scientific name: Cornus alba L.

Traits: Cornus family Staphylococcus genus. Deciduous shrub with reddish branches. Single leaves opposite, ovoid. Corymbose cymes, yellowish white. Drupe.

Distribution: Cultivated in parks and green spaces in Beijing.

Use: Ornamental tree.

Persimmon

Scientific name: Diospyros kaki L.

Trait: Persimmon family Persimmonaceae. Deciduous tree. Leaves elliptic, abaxially light green, hairy along veins. Dioecious. Paddle fruit large, orange-yellow, calyx persistent.

Distribution: endemic to China. Cultivated in Beijing's suburban counties and various parks and courtyards. Pit HF.

Use: Timber and ornamental tree. The fruit is edible. The persimmon tip and root bark can be used as medicine, and the leaves are used as tea.

Black Jujube

Alias: Soft Jujube, Jun Qian Zi

Scientific name: Diospyros lotus L.

Traits: Persimmon family Persimmonaceae. Deciduous tree. Leaves oblong, gray-green abaxially. Dioecious. Paddle fruit small, black.

Distribution: Endemic to China. It is distributed in the middle and low mountains of Beijing, and cultivated in suburban counties and parks.

Use: timber and ornamental tree. The fruit is rich in vitamin C and can be eaten or used medicinally.

Fraxinus americana L.

Traits: Fraxinus americana L.

Traits: Fraxinus americana. Deciduous tree. Odd-pinnate leaves, leaflets 5~9. Dioecious. Winged fruit.

Distribution: native to North America. Cultivated in parks and streets in Beijing. Cold-resistant, smog-resistant.

Use: Ornamental and timber tree. Often used as street trees.

Forsythia

Alias: Huang Shoutan

Scientific name: Forsythia suspensa (thunb.) Vahl

Traits: Forsythiaceae. Deciduous shrub. Leaves solitary or 3-foliolate. Flowers open before leaves, yellow. Capsule.

Distribution: native to China. Widely cultivated in parks, gardens and green spaces.

Use: Ornamental tree, fruit for medicine, seed oil for cosmetics.

Lilac

Scientific name: Syringa oblata Lindl.

Traits: Lilac in the family Xylariaceae. Deciduous shrub or small tree. Single leaf opposite, leaf broadly ovate, base cordate, entire. Panicle, flowers purple, fragrant. Capsule.

Distribution: native to China. Widely cultivated in parks, gardens and green areas.

Use: Ornamental tree. The seeds are used medicinally, the flowers are used to extract aromatic oil, and the young leaves may be used as a tea substitute.

White lilac

Syringa oblata Lindl.var.affinis Lingdelsh.

Traits: Lilac var. Deciduous shrub. Leaves opposite, simple, ovate, entire. Flowers white. Capsule.

Distribution: widely cultivated in Beijing.

Use: Ornamental tree.

Willow

Scientific name: Salix babylonica L.

Traits: Willow genus, family Populus. Deciduous tree with slender, pendulous branches. Single leaves alternate, lanceolate. Dioecious, catkins. Capsule, seeds with seed hairs.

Distribution: Produced in Asia, Europe, America. Commonly cultivated in Beijing's parks and waterfronts. Cold-resistant, resistant to water and moisture.

Use: Greening and soil and water conservation tree species.

Trowel Willow

Scientific name: Salix matsudana Koidz. Var. umbraculifera Rehd

Traits: Willow species of the genus Salix. Deciduous tree, densely branched, crown broadly ovate, trowel-shaped. Single leaves alternate, lanceolate. Dioecious, catkin.

Distribution: Commonly cultivated along highways and parks in Beijing. Cold and drought tolerant.

Use: Ornamental tree.

Long-jawed willow

Scientific name: Salix matsudana Koidz. Var. tortuosa (Vilm.) Rehd.

Traits: Willow species of the genus Willow, family Populus. Deciduous tree with branches curling upward. Leaves alternate, lanceolate. Unisexual, catkins. Capsule.

Distribution: Commonly cultivated in various parks in Beijing.

Use: Ornamental tree.

Walnut

Alias: Walnut

Scientific name: Juglans regia L.

Traits: Walnut family Walnut. Deciduous tree with grayish-white bark. Oddly pinnately compound leaves, leaflets 5~9. Monoecious, male flower catkin, female flower spike. Pseudodrupe.

Distribution: Widely cultivated in the mountains of Beijing, also common in urban parks. Drought-resistant.

Use: Important woody oil, timber and ornamental trees. Walnut kernels are edible and can be extracted for oil. Branches, leaves, pericarp and seed kernels can be used as medicine.

Walnut Rowan

Alias: Walnut Rowan

Scientific name: Juglans mandshurica Maxim.

Traits: Walnut family Walnut. Deciduous tree with gray bark. Oddly pinnately compound leaves, leaflets 9~17. Monoecious, male flowers in catkins, female flowers in spikes. Pseudodrupe.

Distribution: Distributed in the mountain valleys of Beijing. Cold-resistant, drought-resistant.

Use: Timber tree. National second-grade protected plant.

Birch

Alias: Birch

Scientific name: Betula platyphylla Suk.

Traits: Birch family Betulaceae. Deciduous tree with grayish-white bark. Single leaves alternate, lateral veins 5~8 pairs. Monoecious, catkins. Nut with wings.

Distribution: Hundred Flowers Mountain in Mentougou District, Beijing, Fangshan County, Miyun County, Huairou County, high mountains above 1500 meters in elevation.

Use: Timber and ornamental tree.

Gooseberry

Alias: Northern gooseberry, earth ginger

Scientific name: Carpinus turczaninowii hance

Traits: Birchaceae gooseberry genus. Deciduous tree. Single leaves alternate, ovate, lateral veins 8~12 pairs. Dioecious. Nut, fruit bracts leafy.

Distribution: Widely distributed in Fangshan District, Beijing, on shady slopes or in mixed woods.

Use: A timber tree. The seeds can be used to extract oil.

Hairy hazelnut

Alias: Hazelnut, Horned hazelnut

Scientific name: Corylus mandshurica Maxim.et Rupr.

Traits: Hazelnut, Betulaceae. Deciduous shrub. Leaves alternate, oblong. Monoecious. Nut, bracts tubular, densely setose.

Distribution: Widely distributed in the mountains of Beijing, often mixed with hazelnuts.

Use: The kernel is edible and can be used to extract oil.

Chestnut

Alias: Chestnut

Scientific name: Castanea mollissima B1.

Traits: Chestnut, family Crustacea. Deciduous tree with gray-brown bark. Leaves alternate, spiny-aristate serrate. Monoecious, male flowers in catkins, female flowers in clusters of 3. Nut, borne in spiny involucre (cupule).

Distribution: widely cultivated in the granite mountains of Beijing. Prefers sandy loam.

Use: Important woody food plant. Seeds are edible. Branches and roots can be used as medicine.

Corky oak

Scientific name: Quercus variabilis B1.

Trait: Quercus variabilis B1. Deciduous tree, bark cork layer developed. Leaves alternate, leaf margins with spiny awn-like serration. Monoecious, male flower catkin, female flower solitary or several aggregates. Nut, cupular.

Distribution: Beijing's low hills and sunny slopes. Drought-resistant.

Use: Timber and soil and water conservation species. The bark is used to make cork. Shell bucket contains tannin, fruit contains starch, can be alcohol.

Mongolian oak

Alias: Quercus mongolica Fisch.ex Turcz.

Scientific name: Quercus mongolica Fisch.ex Turcz.

Traits: Quercus mongolica. Deciduous tree. Leaves alternate, obovate, leaf margin with undulate obtuse serration, lateral veins 7~11 pairs, petiole short. Monoecious. Male flower catkin. Nut, cupule with verrucose projections.

Distribution: Beijing Changping, Miyun, Huairou and other counties have distribution.

Use: Timber tree.

Liaodong oak

Alias: small-leaved greenoka

Scientific name: Quercus liaotungensis Koidx.

Traits: Quercus liaotungensis Koidx. Deciduous tree. Leaves alternate, leaf margin undulate serrate, lateral veins 5~7 pairs. Shell cupular, nut.

Distribution: Widely distributed in the mountains of Beijing. Born on mountain slopes, often mixed with poplar, birch, and pinyon pine, or into pure forests. Cold hardy.

Use: timber and soil and water conservation species. Seeds contain starch, can be brewed, for fodder.

Quercus dentata

Alias: Quercus dentate Thunb.

Scientific name: Quercus dentate Thunb.

Traits: Quercus dentate Thunb. Deciduous tree. Leaves simple, subsessile. Dioecious, male flowers in catkins, female flowers in clusters. Crustacean cupular, nutty.

Distribution: distributed in the mountains of Beijing, often mixed with other species or pure forest. Resistant to drought and barrenness.

Use: timber and soil and water conservation species. The seeds contain starch and can be used to make wine and fodder. Young leaves can feed silkworms.

Elm

Alias: house elm, white elm

Scientific name: Ulmus pumila L.

Traits: Elm family Elmaceae. Deciduous trees. Leaves alternate, simple serrate. Flowers bisexual, clustered. Samaras, suborbicular.

Distribution: scattered distribution throughout Beijing. Cold and drought resistant.

Use: Timber tree. The bark and roots can be used to make paper; the young fruits, young leaves and bark can be eaten or used as medicine; the seeds can be used to extract oil.

Green sandalwood

Alias: winged park

Scientific name: Pteroceltis tatarinowii Maxim.

Traits: elm family green sandalwood genus. Deciduous tree with grayish-white bark. Single leaves alternate, ternate veins. Monoecious, male flowers in clusters, female flowers solitary. Nut with wings.

Distribution: only 1 genus and 1 species, endemic to China. Distributed in the limestone mountains of Beijing. Resistant to drought and barrenness.

Use: Soil and water conservation and timber species. The bark is the main raw material for rice paper.

Cudrania

Alias: Cudrania

Scientific name: Cudrania tricuspidata (Carr.) Bur.

Traits: genus Cudrania, family Moraceae. Deciduous small trees or shrubs, often with branching spines. Leaves simple, entire or 3-lobed. Dioecious, capitulum. Polygamous fruit red.

Distribution: Beijing Mentougou and other mountainous areas have distribution. It is drought-resistant and often lives in limestone mountains.

Use: Timber tree. The bark can be used to make paper, the fruit can be eaten, and the roots are used as medicine.

Mulberry

Alias: White mulberry, house mulberry

Scientific name: Morus alba L.

Traits: Mulberry family Mulberry. Deciduous tree. Single alternate, heteromorphic leaves. Dioecious, catkin. Polygamous fruit (commonly known as mulberry), black or white.

Distribution: Native to China. It is distributed in the mountains of Beijing, and there are cultivated mulberry gardens in Pinggu and other counties. It is hardy.

Use: The leaves can be used to raise silkworms, the fruit can be eaten, the bark can be used to make paper, and the fruit and leaves can be used as medicine.

Constructospermum

Alias: Broussonetia kozo

Scientific name: Broussonetia papyrifela (L.) Vent.

Traits: Constructospermum, family Moraceae. Deciduous tree. Leaves alternate, simple, heteromorphic. Dioecious, male flowers in catkins, female flowers in heads. Polygamous fruit, orange-red.

Distribution: distributed throughout Beijing. Drought-resistant, calcium-loving.

Use: Bark can make paper. Fruits and roots are used as medicine.

Berberis thunbergii

Scientific name: Berberis thunbergii DC.var.atropurpurea Chenault.

Traits: Berberis thunbergii var. Shrubs, branches with thorns. Leaves purple. Flowers solitary or clustered. Paddle fruit.

Distribution: Cultivated in various parks and green areas in Beijing.

Use: Ornamental or hedge.

Ercho Magnolia

Alias: Cinnabar Magnolia

Scientific name: Magnolia soulangeana Soul.-Bod.

Trait: Magnoliaceae Magnolia spp. Deciduous small tree. Leaves alternate, obovate, apex short acute. Perianth petals 9, outside lilac, inside white, blooming in early spring, flowers before leaves. Follicles aggregated.

Distribution: Cultivated in parks, green spaces and courtyards in Beijing.

Use: Ornamental tree species.

Magnolia liliflora

Alias: Xinyi, Wood Pen

Scientific name: Magnolia liliflora Desr.

Trait: Magnolia liliflora, family Magnoliaceae. Deciduous shrub or small tree. Leaves alternate, entire. Flowers solitary at branch apex; sepals 3, green; petals 6, outside purple. Follicles aggregated.

Distribution: native to China. Cultivated in various parks in Beijing.

Use: Ornamental tree. The bark, leaves and flower buds are used medicinally.

Magnolia

Alias: Magnolia

Scientific name: Magnolia denudate Desr.

Traits: Magnoliaceae. Deciduous tree. Leaves obovate-elliptic, apex abruptly pointed. Petals 9, pure white, blooming in early spring, flowers before leaves. Aggregate follicles.

Distribution: native to China. Commonly cultivated in parks and courtyards in Beijing.

Use: Ornamental tree species.

Liriodendron

Alias: Mangrove

Scientific name: Liriodendron chinense Sarg.

Traits: Liriodendron genus, family Magnoliaceae. Deciduous tree. Leaves alternate, simple, laburnum-shaped. Petals 9, yellow; flowers solitary at branch apex. Aggregate samaras.

Distribution: Cultivated in various parks in Beijing.

Use: Timber and ornamental tree.

Eucommia ulmoides

Scientific name: Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.

Trait: Eucommia ulmoides is a genus of Eucommia in the family Eucommiaceae. Deciduous tree, with gelatinous filaments. Leaves alternate. Dioecious, without perianth. Winged fruit.

Distribution: only 1 genus and 1 species, endemic to China. Cultivated in parks and botanical gardens in Beijing. Drought-resistant, hardy.

Use: Endemic economic tree and timber tree. The bark of the tree can be used as medicine, and the leaves, bark and fruits can be extracted from the gum of Eucommia.

Three-ball bellflower

Alias: French sycamore

Scientific name: Platanus orientalis L.

Traits: Bellflower family bellflower genus. Deciduous tree with flaky exfoliating bark. Leaves simple, 5-7-parted. Monoecious, capitulum. Polygamous fruits 3~7 in series.

Distribution: native to Europe and western Asia. It is cultivated in parks, green spaces and courtyards in Beijing.

Use: Famous ornamental tree. Fruit can be used as medicine.