SPINDLE TREE – Euonymus europaeus: [ 11 ]
Growing to 9m this deciduous tree can live 100 years. The bark and twigs are deep green and develop corky light brown markings. Sharp toothed, waxy leaves turn orange-red in autumn before falling. Flowers have male and female parts and four petals. In May and June, the clusters of flowers are insect pollinated. The bright pink fruits develop with bright orange seeds. The leaves are eaten by several moth caterpillars and the holly blue butterfly. Aphids also like the leaves which also bring predators like lacewings, ladybirds and hoverflies. As the name suggests the tree was used to make spindle and bobbins, also knitting needles and pegs. The fruits used to be treated and turned into cures for headlice and mange in cattle.
Growing to 9m this deciduous tree can live 100 years. The bark and twigs are deep green and develop corky light brown markings. Sharp toothed, waxy leaves turn orange-red in autumn before falling. Flowers have male and female parts and four petals. In May and June, the clusters of flowers are insect pollinated. The bright pink fruits develop with bright orange seeds. The leaves are eaten by several moth caterpillars and the holly blue butterfly. Aphids also like the leaves which also bring predators like lacewings, ladybirds and hoverflies. As the name suggests the tree was used to make spindle and bobbins, also knitting needles and pegs. The fruits used to be treated and turned into cures for headlice and mange in cattle.
