I debated using Tree and Cycle as the title of my post today! Finally settled on the one you see. Here was my reasoning……this is a species I see on my cycle route (for unused title) and in its present almost bare condition, i think it resembles a grand Candelabra!
Take a look at these images.. i am sure you will agree with my title choice!
This is the Maharukh or Ailanthus excela of the Simaroubaceae family. It is also called Indian Tree of Heaven. It is a native tree of the deciduous variety and currently is almost bare in Pune. Very soon it will burst into new foliage and flowers. I did manage to capture photo of its leaves and they are vey similar to the leaves of Neem (Azadirachta indica of the Meliaceae family).
It is quite common in my city either by the roadside or often along the compound walls. The tree grows quite tall and is very majestic. Its branches grow upwards from the main trunk bole and seem to reach for the sky.. almost like the arms of a candelabra.
Does the silhouette of any tree remind you of objects we use in our lives? Is that just a coincidence or does nature unknowingly influence our designs?
Have you seen the Indian Tree of Heaven? It should be blossoming soon.. do look our for its tiny yellowish green flowers.
I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove blog hop . Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
I’ve not seen the Indian tree of heaven. One of your captures made the candelabra shape so obvious. So I am fascinated because what we have in the Northeast United States (where I have spent most of my life is) Ailanthus altissima (aka Chinese sumac, or stink tree, as in “stinks to high heaven”), and you definitely do not want this tree in your life. It’s almost impossible to kill and is highly invasive, especially in the New York City area. So one thing I learned today is that most of the Ailanthus are tropical. I never knew!
I read about the Ailanthus altissima after your comment! Apparently it a introduced species in India and does grow in many places. That was new info for me as well. Thanks Alana for sharing this! Happy to hear from you as always! 🙂 Have a great day!
Spot on with the title, it really does look like a candelabra. Thanks for the story too!
Thank you Teresa! 🙂
That is a lovely treee and aptly named post. I must look out for this tree the next time I am in Pune. Tree of heaven. What a lovely name. It does look like its branches are outstretched.
Its quite common in Pune. You will find it easily. I am sure it must be growing in Mumbai as well. Happy to hear from you. Thanks a lot! 🙂
I love the symmetry of this tree in the first photo, and can see why you chose the title.
Thanks Mali! 🙂
Beautiful tree images! I must say I love the name —’Candelabra’ Thanks for sharing this post.
Visiting from http://www.mysoultalks.com
(ThursdayTreeLove)
Thank you Esha! Have a great day!
Love the name and I don’t think I have seen the Tree of Heaven. Or maybe I did but I can’t recognize? They are sure majestic. And if they look like this bare, they must be so beautiful with the leaves on. Isn’t it? Thanks for joining, Archana. I hope to see you back tomorrow.
Thanks Parul! Happy to participate in TTL! 🙂 Yes, I do have a new post!!
Elegant, living candelabras reaching for the sky. Perfect title!
Thank you JoAnna! 🙂
Lovely candelabra and menorah trees. 🙂
Here we have a tree called the Chandelier Tree which is supposed to look like a chandelier upside down. 😀
I would love to see the Chandelier Tree! I must look it up! Thanks a lot! Have a great day!