Eight major tree species for greening Beijing

1. Koelreuteria paniculata

Koelreuteria paniculata is a light-loving tree species that is cold-resistant, resistant to barrenness and drought. It has a strong ability to adapt to the environment and likes to grow in calcareous soil. Not only that, it has strong wind resistance and can withstand temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius. It is suitable for growing in Beijing and is a good greening tree species.

2. Poplar

Poplar is a deciduous tree, about 30 meters high. Its trunk is straight, the bark is gray-green to gray-white, and the leaves are ovate or triangular-ovate. It will bloom from March to April in spring and bear fruit from April to May. It is a strong sun-loving tree species and prefers a warm, cool and humid climate. It is not very demanding on soil and grows fast in deep, fertile, moist loam or sandy loam. It has a well-developed root system, is cold-resistant and water-resistant, and has a long lifespan, which can last up to about 200 years.

3. Pinus tabulaeformis

Pinus tabulaeformis is a coniferous evergreen tree of the Pinaceae family, up to 30 meters tall and with a breast diameter of 1 meter. It is also a positive tree species, which likes light, is resistant to barrenness and wind, and has no strict requirements on soil. It can grow more vigorously in an acidic or neutral soil environment with deep soil layer and good drainage. It is extremely cold-resistant and can grow normally in an environment of minus 25℃, making it very suitable for cultivation in northern regions.

4. Forsythia

Forsythia is a deciduous shrub of the Oleaceae family and the genus Forsythia. It blooms before the leaves in early spring. The flowers have a light and bright fragrance and the branches are full of golden yellow. It is an excellent flowering shrub in early spring. It has a strong adaptability to the environment and prefers a warm and humid climate. It also has strong resistance to cold, drought and barrenness. It is not picky about the soil and can grow normally in neutral, acidic and alkaline soil environments.

5. Cotinus coggygria

Cotinus coggygria is a small deciduous tree or shrub that can reach 3-8m in height and 2.5-6cm in width. It has a strong adaptability to the environment, likes light, is also shade-tolerant, cold-resistant, and barren-resistant. It is not picky about the soil, but can grow vigorously in a soil environment with deep, fertile, and well-drained soil. Not only that, it has a well-developed root system, strong sprouting ability, and fast growth rate. When the temperature difference between day and night is greater than 10℃, the leaves will turn red.

6. Peach

Peach blossoms are a variant and cultivar of the deciduous plant peach of the genus Peach in the Rosaceae family. It blooms in March and April every spring. The flowers are rich in colors, commonly white, pink, red, etc., and have high ornamental value during the flowering period. It likes light, is drought-resistant, afraid of water and moisture, has strong cold resistance, and can safely overwinter in a natural environment of minus 25 degrees Celsius.

7. Crape Myrtle

Crape myrtle is a deciduous shrub or small tree of the Lythraceae family and the genus Lagerstroemia, which can reach a height of 7 meters. Its bark is grey and its leaves are alternate and oval. It blooms from June to September every year, with flowers in rose red, light pink, bright red or white, and has high ornamental value. It has strong adaptability to the environment and is cold-resistant, drought-resistant and shade-tolerant.

8. Torchwood

The torch tree is cold-resistant, has strong adaptability to soil, and is resistant to barrenness, waterlogging, and salinity. In order to promote its better growth, it is best to use fertile, deep soil to cultivate it. It grows fast but has a short lifespan.