Guide to special trees in Tolosa

Gorostia · Acebo Ilex aquifolium L.

The holly is an evergreen tree or shrub that grows in the humid forests of Europe. It is distinguished by its hard, glossy leaves, with sharp spines along the edges. In winter, it produces bright red berries, which are an important food source for many birds. Generally, it grows in shaded forests and can reach heights of 10 to 15 meters under suitable conditions.
This species is protected in the Basque Country, and it is forbidden to use its branches as decoration. For this reason, it is important to care for and respect holly trees in the wild.

Ezkia · Tilo Tilia L. sp

The linden is a large tree that grows in the forests of Europe and in some areas of the Pyrenees, reaching up to 30 meters in height. It has glossy, lobed leaves that turn reddish and yellowish in autumn.
It grows in humid forests and along riverbanks, in deep, moist soils, and today it is planted in parks and gardens for its generous shade and special beauty. Its wood is very soft and durable, and it has traditionally been used for furniture, turned tools, and musical instruments. In some parts of Europe, linden has also been used to produce molasses and sugar.

Palmondo kanariarra · Palmera de Canarias Phoenix canariensis Chabaud

The Canary Island date palm is an evergreen tree with long, drooping leaves, notable for its wide and elegant crown. It is native to the Canary Islands and is now planted in many parks and gardens, both in urban and natural environments, due to its attractive appearance.
Its fruits, the dates, ripen in summer and, in addition to being an important food source for many animals, are a sweet and healthy food for humans.

Konstantinoplako akazia · Acacia de Constantinopla Albizia julibrissin

The Constantinople acacia is also known as the Chinese parasol tree or silk tree.
Native to southwestern Asia, this deciduous tree can reach up to 12 meters in height. It is striking and ornamental due to its unique leaves and flowers.
In summer, it produces pink or pale pink flowers, with spectacular inflorescences made up of many fine filaments. These flowers are very fragrant and attract many pollinating insects.

Olibondoa · Olivo Olea europaea L.

The olive tree is an evergreen tree native to Mediterranean regions. It can reach up to 10 meters in height and usually has a twisted trunk and wrinkled bark. It tolerates heat and drought well, and grows easily even in poor soils.
It has an extraordinary lifespan: some trees can live for thousands of years. Its fruit, the olive, is used to produce olive oil and is a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet. Since ancient times, the olive tree has been a symbol of peace and wisdom in many cultures, and today it continues to hold great cultural, economic, and landscape value.

Ezki zilarkara · Tilo plateado Tilia tomentosa Moench

The silver linden is native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. It is a deciduous tree that can reach up to 30 meters in height. It develops a wide, dense crown, providing cool and pleasant shade. Its leaves have a silvery-white underside, which creates a special shimmer when moved by the wind.
In summer, it produces small, fragrant flowers in clusters. These flowers are an important food source for bees and other pollinating insects. Additionally, linden flowers have traditionally been used to make infusions due to their calming properties.

Libanoko zedroa · Cedro del Líbano Cedrus libani A.Rich.

The Lebanon cedar is an impressive conifer that grows in the mountains of the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, Turkey, and Syria. It can reach over 30 meters in height and develops a distinctive crown with wide, horizontally arranged branches. Although it grows slowly, it has a very long lifespan.
Since ancient times, it has been highly valued for the quality of its wood. Its timber is strong, durable, and fragrant, and has been used for thousands of years to build temples, palaces, and ships. This tree is so important in Lebanon that it still appears on the national flag as a national symbol.

Laranjondo trifoliatua · Naranjo trifoliado Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.

The trifoliate orange is native to East Asia, mainly China and Korea. It is a deciduous tree or shrub that can reach up to 6 meters in height and develops spiny branches. Its leaves are composed of three leaflets, hence the name “trifoliate.” In spring, it produces fragrant white flowers.
In autumn, it produces small yellow fruits, resembling tiny oranges. These fruits are generally not eaten raw due to their bitter taste but have been used to make jams and other products. Additionally, it is often used as a rootstock for grafting citrus trees because of its high resistance to cold.

Ginkgoa · Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba L.

The ginkgo is native to China and is one of the oldest “living fossil” species in the world, with a history of over 200 million years. It can reach up to 40 meters in height and has very distinctive fan-shaped leaves. In autumn, the leaves turn yellow.
The tree is said to symbolize hope, as it was the only one to survive near the epicenter after the atomic bomb exploded in Hiroshima. It also tolerates pollution very well.

Haritz kanduduna · Roble pedunculado Quercus robur L.

The pedunculate oak is one of the best-known deciduous trees in Europe. It can reach up to 40 meters in height and develops a strong trunk with a wide, dense crown. It grows in forests, parks, and meadows, and is a long-lived tree: under suitable conditions, it can live for centuries.
Its fruit is the acorn, which grows at the end of a long stalk, giving the tree its name “pedunculate.” Oak wood is very hard and durable, and has been used in construction, shipbuilding, and for making barrels. In many European cultures, it has been a symbol of strength and endurance.