Persimmon tree (Kaki)

Although the persimmon is native to China, it has been planted from the old era in Japan. Sometimes, the species is carried by wild animals, the tree has grown up in the mountains.

Fruits of persimmon

There are many cultivars, shape and taste is different, respectively. Roughly, it is classified as sweet persimmon and bitter persimmon. Naturally sweet persimmon is preferred, however, to grow sweet persimmon is limited to West Japan. Only bitter persimmon  will grow in a cold region, but it will also be an excellent food by hanging out in the sun.

Persimmon tree has beautiful shinny leaves

Persimmon leaves are used in tea of raw materials and sushi. In addition, the juice of bitter persimmon is used to paint for preservatives. And stem of persimmon is used in furniture. Since the application is many, we planted this tree even those who are not interested in the yard, but the fruit of the orange shine in the sky of autumn, is indispensable to the Japanese landscape.

Old house with large persimmon tree

Japanese hackberry (Enoki)

One of the tree that is similar to the zelkova, there is a Japanese hackberry (Enoki). Once Enoki was planted in "Ichri-duka (milestone)," which is made every 4 kms as a mark of the road. For this reason, large enoki can be seen here and there in Japan.

Milestone tree

Nowadays, among the Japanese, "Enoki" mainly means the mushroom occurring in the dead tree. rarely be planted in the garden. But it is often grow naturally from bird droppings, often seen in the garden and park without intention.

This is favorite food of insects

Though It appears to be very sturdy tree, its leaves are very popular in the insect, often become tattered. Larvae of the Japanese country butterfly "Sasakia charonda" is also, like the leaf.

Fruits of Japanese hackberry

Colorful seeds that can be in the summer has a sweet taste, it is possible to eat. And in fall to winter, you can see the tree with yellow leaves along the river even in the major city.

Blanco and Enoki

Shira-kashi (Evergreen oak)

9 types of oak trees can be seen in the Japanese archipelago.
Among them, "Shirakasi" (Evergreen oak) is the tree that seen many in the east Japan.

Shira-kashi around classical house

Shira-kashi does not have an attractive flower. It does not have so much of features. However, it is durable and easily available, cheap, trees grow well branches and leaves, become blindfold and windbreak . So, it has been planted a lot along the streets, parks, around the house.

Pruned in Japanese style

Its leaves has an elongate shape similar to bamboo. And, the back side is a little white.
In early summer, bloom similar to the chestnut, in the fall can be a small acorn.

Leaves of Shira-kashi

Its wood is hard, so it is used such as the handle of farming tools, wooden sword and more.

If we write Shira-kashi in Chinese characters, use the Chinese character that means "white hard wood".

Acorn of Shira-kashi

Mokkoku (fellow of the camellia)

Once,Mokkoku has been referred to as the king of Japanese garden tree.

As a proof, you can see this tree almost always in classic Japanese gardens. 

However, Mokkoku has no major feature,is the hard-to-remember tree.

In why,is this tree is common in Japanese gardens.

It is related to the national character of Japanese.

Mokkou grows slowly.The shape does not change too much.

This "does not change" is consistent with the nature of Japanese people,

does not like to stand out.

This is the main reason that this tree has become widespread in Japan.

Mokkoku blooms small white flowers in summer, also makes red fruits in the fall.

However these do not have much appreciation value.

Charm of this tree is essentially,　Its leaves such as a shoehorn.

Leaves of Mokkoku is thick and shiny.

The era when there was no street lighting,the leaves is reflected in the moonlight.

It would have made a beautiful sight.