found this tree while walking in vancouver off commercial drive the fruit is very hard like a nut can you please id this tree for me thank you as always
Davidia involucrata, common names dove tree or handkerchief tree (query davidia flowers and you'll see why).
Where can someone find this tree for purchase in BC? Even better if there is anyone on Vancouver Island.
This is not a good time of year to find anything at most garden centres because they reduce their outdoor stock over the winter. There are a number of garden centres and nurseries in the Comox/Courtenay area where you might find one in the spring when they are bringing in new plants for the season. It is my impression that Davidia involucrata has become quite popular over the past decade so you could very well find one locally. Otherwise, garden centres will often bring plants in specially for you if you ask.
Look for the 'SHN' cultivar, misnamed apparently by just about everyone not the originating Sonoma Horticultural Nursery as 'Sonoma'. Because clonal propagations of this selection flower young, even as small as 5 gallon pots. And the bracts become jumbo in size once the specimen is far enough along, about twice the size of typical plants. Which may take 10-20 years to flower from seed. And are likely to grow 50-60 ft. wide in time, when able to develop fully ('SHN' on the other hand may have a small habit).
I am guessing the 'SHN' cultivar is what I see in Douglas Park here in Vancouver. There is a wonderful, small, dense tree that has abundant large bracts and holds masses of the fruit into the winter. It's quite striking covered with little black balls. Much nicer for the landscape than the typical giant. And yes, one might well find it labelled 'Sonoma'.
Dinter Nursery in Duncan and Russell Nursery in Saanich, both on Vancouver Island, list this tree in their inventory.
