top of page
Research in Context
Tree species with area of origin
Mediterranean, Near East to Central Asia
Group of tree species with provenance from a broad area, extending from Near East or the Mediterranean to Central Asia. In some cases the area of origin extends to the Iranian plateau or Afghanistan.
%20Dasos%20Siggrou%20parking%20lot%20-%20(20231126)%20300%20dpi.jpg)
Pistacia atlantica
Anacardiaceae
%20Dasos%20Siggrou%20-%20(20231126)%20300%20dpi.jpg)
Distribution in Athens. It is planted in the large parks of Dasos Syggrou and NTUA campus. In the city, only a few trees in some boroughs: city of Athens, Dafni - Hymettos, Haidari, Kifissia, Philothei and the southern coastal boroughs of Glyfada and Alimos.
Biomes subtropical
Countries and regions
Area of origin Afghanistan, Algeria, Canary Islands, Cyprus, East Aegean Islands, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, North Caucasus, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sinai, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkey, Türkey-in-Europe, West Himalaya.
Global Distribution (Introduced). USA (California, Utah), Tadzhikistan.
Cities worldwide
Tree inventories around the world.
AMERICAS: Las Vegas TX, Modesto CA (USA)
EUROPE: Barcelona (Spain), Geneva (Switzerland)
ASIA Tbilisi (Georgia), Tel Aviv (Israel).
Performance. It appears to be well adapted to current Athens climate conditions. Beautiful specimen thrive in the parks of Dasos Syggrou and NTUA campus. It seems to self propagate and grow in hard dry sites.
Literature references: It has been assessed as a promising species for the cities in the Mediterranean region (ARDEM project, INRAE). Also, it has been evaluated by the French forestry organization FORESTOR which specializes in reforestation projects, as an emerging species for the climate of 2050 (Boudaille 2025).
Vision
Ulmus minor 'Atinia'
Anacardiaceae
Distribution in Athens. Only a few trees in some boroughs: Kifissia, Petroupoli. At the National Garden some old specimen trees continue to exist. It is planted at various locations in the NTUA campus, near carob and olive trees.
Biomes temperate
Countries and regions
Area of origin Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., East European Russia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Sicilia, South European Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Türkey, Türkey-in-Europe, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Global Distribution (Introduced).
AMERICAS: Bolivia, USA (California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Northern Provinces, Ontario, Rhode Island, Vermont).
EUROPE: Portugal (Azores), Spain (Baleares, Canary Islands), Ireland
AFRICA: South Africa (Cape Provinces).
Cities around the world
Tree inventories around the world. At 112 urban tree inventories in the countries:
OCEANIA: Australia, New Zealand
AMERICAS: Argentina, Canada, USA
EUROPE: Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, UK
ASIA: Georgia, Iran.
Performance. It appears to be well adapted to current Athens climate conditions. However it is prone to insect infestations and to prolonged heat conditions. It seems to self propagate.
Literature references: Sjöman and Anderson (2023). It has been evaluated by the French forestry organization FORESTOR which specializes in reforestation projects, as an emerging species for the climate of 2050 (Boudaille 2025). Also, research on tolerance to various stress factors in the urban environment, focuses on the study of the Ulmus species (Maribel et al 2024).
Acer platanoides
Sapindaceae
Distribution in Athens. Only a few trees in two boroughs, the city of Athens and Zografou. It is to be noted that in Zografou borough one can find also Acer pseudoplatanus and other tree species that are rarely found in the Athens area.
Biomes temperate
Countries and regions
Area of origin Europe to Central Asia and Pakistan.
Countries in the area of origin Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Czechia-Slovakia, East European Russia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Kirgizstan, Krym, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Romania, South European Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkey, Türkey-in-Europe, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.
Global Distribution (Introduced).
AMERICAS: Canada (British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward I., Québec), USA (Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin).
EUROPE: Great Britain, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Netherlands
ASIA: West Siberia.
Cities worldwide
Tree inventories around the world. Its use is very widespread, it is present at 204 urban tree inventories in the countries:
OCEANIA: Australia, New Zealand
AMERICAS: Argentina, Canada, Chile, USA
EUROPE: Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece (cities of Ioannina and Preveza), Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, UK, Ukraine, Sweden, Switzerland
ASIA: Turkey, Georgia
AFRICA: South Africa
Performance. Recent plantings seem to grow well however the sample is too small.
Literature references: Sjöman and Anderson (2023). Expeditions have been organized by Westonbirt National Arboretum for seed collection of Acer species in Greece. Southerly populations of A. platatanoides have been targeted for seed sourcing as they may prove valuable for studying response to future climate change (Forestry England n.d.).
%20Zografou%20-%20Georgiou%20Papandreou%20Str_%20-%20(20240510)%20300%20dpi%20RESIZED_j.jpg)
Celtis australis
Cannabaceae
Distribution in Athens. In some boroughs as tree rows or single plantings: the city of Athens, Zografou, Haidari, Ilioupoli, Elliniko-Argyroupoli, Varkiza. It is the main species in the new tree plantings in the landscape of the Ellinikon Project. Remarkable specimen trees can be found in the National Garden. It is present in the parks of the Dasos Syggrou and the NTUA Campus (only a few trees).
Biomes subtropical
Countries and regions
Area of origin Mediterranean to Northern Iran.
Countries in the area of origin Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Bulgaria, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., France, Greece, Iran, Italy, Lebanon-Syria, Morocco, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkey, Türkey-in-Europe
Global Distribution (Introduced).
OCEANIA: Australia (New South Wales)
AMERICAS: Argentina Northeast
EUROPE: Austria, Canary Islands, Germany, Hungary, Madeira, Switzerland
ASIA: Uzbekistan.
Cities around the world
Tree inventories around the world. Its use is widespread, it is present at 91 urban tree inventories in the countries:
OCEANIA: Australia, New Zealand
AMERICAS: Argentina (Buenos Aires), Brazil, Chile, USA (Berkeley, San Francisco)
EUROPE: Austria (Vienna), Croatia (Zagreb), France (Bordeaux, Grenoble, Lyon, Montpellier, Paris), Germany (Frankfurt, Hamburg), Georgia (Tbilisi), Hungary (Budapest), Italy (Bologna, Florence, Turin), Portugal (Lisbon), Spain (Barcelona, Valencia), Sweden (Malmö), Switzerland (Basel, Bern, Geneva, Zurich), United Kingdom (Birmingham, London)
ASIA: Turkey (Antalya, Bartin, Trabzon), Israel (Tel Aviv), Iran
AFRICA: South Africa.
Performance. Old or recent plantings seem to grow well. It shows an ability to self propagate and expand (NTUA campus).
Literature references: Many references on the species' hardiness and its suitability for the climate of the future: ARDEM Project, Maribel et al.(2024), SelecTree for Southern California's Future Climate (2024), Sjöman and Anderson (2023), Ville de Paris (2025), Forestor (Boudaille 2025).
Tilia tomentosa
Distribution in Athens. A few Tilia species and hybrids can be found in some boroughs. As tree rows or single plantings. The silver lime tree (Tilia tomentosa) is found mainly as single tree in the urban enviroment: Elliniko-Argyroupoli, Kifissia.
Biomes temperate
Countries and regions
Area of origin East Central & South Eastern Europe to Türkiye.
Countries in the area of origin Albania, Bulgaria, East Aegean Is., Greece, Hungary, Lebanon-Syria, NW. Balkan Pen., Romania, Türkey, Türkey-in-Europe, Ukraine.
Global Distribution (Introduced).
EUROPE: Austria, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain.
ASIA: Uzbekistan
Cities around the world
Tree inventories around the world. Its use is widespread in cities of Europe and the USA. It is present at 93 urban tree inventories in the countries:
OCEANIA: Australia, New Zealand
AMERICAS: Canada (Quebec city, Vancouver), USA (Arlington, Berkeley, Chicago, Delaware, Denver, Detroit, Oakland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington)
EUROPE: Denmark (Copenhagen), Austria (Vienna), Belgium, Croatia (Zagreb), France (Bordeaux, Grenoble, Lyon, Montpellier, Paris), Germany (Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg), Hungary (Budapest), Italy (Bologna, Florence, Turin), Norway (Oslo), Poland (Warsaw), Portugal (Lisbon), Spain (Barcelona, Valencia), Sweden (Malmö), Switzerland (Bern, Geneva, Zurich), Ukraine, United Kingdom (Belfast, Birmingham, London)
ASIA: Turkey (Trabzon).
Performance. They appear to grow well. As is the case with other Tilia species, in conditions of extreme heat or other stress factors, browning and dieback of leaf margins is a common symptom.
Literature references: ARDEM Project, Sjöman and Anderson (2023).
Viburnum tinus
Distribution in Athens. A very common species as an ornamental shrubs. In gardens or in parks, old plants have developed to small trees. However in the borough of Dafni-Hymettos,it has been utilized as a street tree in fairly new plantings.
Biomes subtropical
Countries and regions
Area of origin Mediterranean.
Countries in the area of origin Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Portugal, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Tunisia, Türkey
Global Distribution (Introduced).
OCEANIA: Tasmania
AMERICAS: California, Mexico Central, Oregon, Washington
EUROPE: Great Britain, Ireland, Madeira.
Cities around the world
Tree inventories around the world. It is present at 44 urban tree inventories in the countries:
OCEANIA: Australia
EUROPE: France (Paris), Italy (Bologna, Florence), Portugal (Lisbon), Spain (Barcelona, Costa Brava, Valencia), Switzerland (Geneva), United Kingdom (Bristol, London).
ASIA: Iran, Turkey (Trabzon).
Performance. They appear to grow well. It is considered a very hardy shrub species.
Juglans regia
Distribution in Athens. As single trees in private gardens or in parks or on sidewalks in the boroughs of the city of Athens, Aigaleo, Dafni-Hymettos, Ilioupoli, Papagou, Zografou.
Biomes temperate
Countries and areas
Area of origin NE. & E. Türkiye to Lebanon and W. Himalaya.
Countries in the area of origin Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon-Syria, North Caucasus, Pakistan, Transcaucasus, Türkey, West Himalaya
Global Distribution (Introduced).
EUROPE: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Corse, Cyprus, Denmark, East Aegean Is., France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kriti, Krym, Madeira, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Sicilia, South European Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Türkey-in-Europe, Ukraine
ASIA: India (Assam), China, East Himalaya, Inner Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Laos, Nepal, Oman, Tadzhikistan, Tibet, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
AFRICA: Algeria, Morocco.
Tree inventories around the world. It is present at 104 urban tree inventories in the countries:
OCEANIA: Australia, New Zealand
AMERICAS: Argentina (Buenos Aires), Canada (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver), Mexico, USA (Berkeley, Columbus, Denver, Newport, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle)
EUROPE: Denmark (Aarhus, Copenhagen), Austria (Vienna), Belgium, Croatia (Zagreb), France (Bordeaux, Grenoble, Lyon, Montpellier, Paris), Germany (Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg), Hungary (Budapest), Ireland, Italy (Florence, Turin), Netherlands, Norway (Oslo), Poland (Warsaw), Portugal (Lisbon), Spain (Barcelona, Costa Brava, Valencia), Sweden (Malmö), Switzerland (Basel, Bern, Geneva, Zurich), United Kingdom (Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, London), Turkey (Trabzon)
ASIA: China, Georgia (Tbilisi), Israel (Tel Aviv), Iran, Turkey.
Performance. They appear to grow well and withstand hot weather. It is grown as a crop tree for its nuts or wood and it is susceptible to various pests and diseases.
Literature references: Sjöman and Anderson (2023). The species J. nigra is also considered as promising as an urban tree for future climate.
Vitex agnus-castus
Distribution in Athens. A well known native shrub or small tree that is linked to natural landscapes and ancient lore. It is used in home gardens and rarely as a small tree. In the borough of Palaion Faliron and the park of Ancient Agora.
Biomes primarily in the subtropical biome
Countries and areas
Area of origin Mediterranean to Central Asia and India (NW. Rajasthan).
Countries in the area of origin Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Bulgaria, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Egypt, France, Greece, Gulf States, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Türkey, Türkey-in-Europe.
Global Distribution (Introduced).
EUROPE: Belarus, Germany
AMERICAS: Brazil Northeast, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Leeward Islands, Mexico Northeast, Nicaragua, Peru, Puerto Rico, USA (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico)
ASIA: Oman.
Tree inventories around the world. It is present at 21 urban tree inventories in the countries:
OCEANIA: Australia
AMERICAS: Brazil, Nicaragua, USA (Augusta, Austin, Charleston, Claremont, Durham, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Pasadena, Phoenix, Santa Monica)
EUROPE: Croatia (Zagreb), France (Bordeaux), Italy (Florence), Spain (Barcelona), Sweden (Malmö), Switzerland (Geneva).
Performance. They appear to grow well and withstand hot weather.
Literature references: Sjöman and Anderson (2023). The species J. nigra is also considered as promising as an urban tree for future climate.
Distribution in Athens. Extremely rare in the urban areas. In the borough of Philothei - Psychiko and the park of Ancient Agora.
Biomes primarily in the subtropical biome
Countries and areas
Area of origin Mediterranean.
Countries in the area of origin Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Bulgaria, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., France, Greece, Italy, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Portugal, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe.
Global Distribution (Introduced).
Canary Islands.
Tree inventories around the world. It is present at only 13 urban tree inventories, mostly in its native range, the Mediterranean. In the countries:
OCEANIA: Australia (Greater Bend, Port Phillip)
EUROPE: France (Bordeaux, Grenoble, Montpellier, Paris), Italy (Florence), Portugal (Lisbon), Spain (Barcelona, Costa Brava), Switzerland (Geneva)
ASIA: Israel (Tel Aviv).
REFERENCES
PROJECTS
ARDEM PROJECT, INRAE
Ducatillion Catherine and Delorme, Sarah. 2022. ARbres de Demain En Méditerranée (ARDEM) projet brochure. Villa de Thuret, INRAE. 2022.
https://jardin-thuret.hub.inrae.fr/content/download/6148/49641?version=1
INRAE. |Rédaction by Rose-marie Bugeaud. “Arbres de demain - Fiches espèces.” Jardin Botanique Villa Thuret. Created on December 23, 2022. Modified on March 25, 2024.
https://jardin-thuret.hub.inrae.fr/actualites/presentation-des-fiches-especes
​
UFEI, Urban Forest Ecosystem Institute. California State Polytechnic University.
Best Trees for Southern California’s Climate Future. Select Tree, a Tree Selection Guide. Updated 2024.
https://selectree.calpoly.edu/list/67 (BEST LARGE TREES FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S CLIMATE FUTURE)
https://www.selectree.calpoly.edu/list/148 (SMALL CLIMATE ADAPTED TREES FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA)
https://www.selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/295 (Celtis australis)​
​
PAPERS
Maribel Carol-Aristizabal, Jérôme Dupras, Christian Messier, Rita Sousa-Silva. 2024. “Which Tree Species Best Withstand Urban Stressors? Ask the Experts”. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) Jan 2024, 50 (1) 57-75.
https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2023.026
​
BOOKS
Sjöman, Henrik, and Anderson, Arit 2023. The Essential Tree Selection Guide: For Climate Resilience, Carbon Storage, Species Diversity and Other Ecosystem Benefits. London: Filbert Press
​
WEBSITES
Forestry England (n.d.).
Expedition to Greece - Westonbirt Arboretum.
https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/expedition-greece
​Ville de Paris. 2023. “Tout savoir sur l'arbre à Paris.” Updated on May 30, 2025.
https://www.paris.fr/pages/l-arbre-a-paris-199​​​​
​
LINKEDIN POSTS
Boudaille, D. (August 2025). 🌳 Quels arbres pour 2050 et au-delà ?
bottom of page