III
HONG KONG TREES
In the Hong Kong Annual Report for 1950 descriptions were given, each accompanied by a photograph, of eight common Hong Kong trees, with the idea of aiding residents and visitors to recognize some of the many trees they may see in the Colony. This series, begun last year, is continued here with descriptions of another nine familiar
trees.
Camphor, laichee, Chinese banyan and pine are the most common trees native to Hong Kong and the New Territories, but until its foundation as a British Colony the Island of Hong Kong had very few trees on it, with the one notable exception of the slopes of Happy Valley. Lantao Island as it is to-day gives some idea of what Hong Kong was like before 1841. Due to careful planting over a succession of years, the Colony now boasts a wide variety of trees, many of them imported.
I. Chinese Hackberry (Celtis sinensis)
This tree is commonly found throughout China, Korea and Japan. It is deciduous and grows up to 30 feet, with a smooth grey bark, and wide-spreading slender branches. The dark green sharp-pointed leaves are 2 to 3 inches long, oval in shape, either rounded or heart-shaped at the base. In spring its small pale green flowers appear just before the leaves open.
The fruits are round, green when young, becoming dull orange-red, and often hang on through the winter. The tree is sometimes mistaken for a Chinese banyan, but is distinguishable by its toothed leaves, absence of aerial roots and its deciduous winter habit. Its growth is slow, but on account of its hardy nature and dense foliage it is frequently planted in the Colony as a roadside shade tree and in gardens.
2. Gum Trees (Eucalyptus)
About 300 species of trees belonging to this genus are natives of Australia and the surrounding islands. Due to their adaptability
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