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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.
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Pistacia atlantica
Anacardiaceae
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Distribution in Athens. It is present in some parks of Athens: Alsos Phychiko, Alsos Papagou, Dasos Syggrou, National Garden and NTUA campus. Elsewhere in the city, it is found on the edge of the roads, avenue islets, playgrounds and other types of green spaces in the boroughs: city of Athens, Dafni - Hymettos, Haidari, Ilioupoli. Kifissia, Papagou-Cholargos, Psychiko-Philothei and the southern coastal boroughs of Alimos, Glyfada, Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni and Varkiza.
Specimen trees or groups are a significant part of the vegetation at the park of Ancient Agora.
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 (GUTI Database).
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 positively evaluated by Floriscope (Plante & Cité) and the forestry organization FORESTOR which specializes in reforestation projects, as an emerging species for the climate of 2050 (Boudaille 2025).
References on Pistacia atlantica:
RESEARCH PROJECTS
ARDEM, Jardin Botanique Villa Thuret - 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
Bugeaud, Rose-Marie .
“Arbres de demain - Fiches espèces.”
Created on December 23, 2022. Modified on March 25, 2024.
https://jardin-thuret.hub.inrae.fr/actualites/presentation-des-fiches-especes
'Pistacia atlantica'
https://jardin-thuret.hub.inrae.fr/content/download/6736/55090?version=1 (pdf file)
Plante & Cité
Floriscope, n.d.
'Pistacia atlantica' and subspecies
https://www.floriscope.io/plantes/pistacia-atlantica
EUFORGEN European forest genetic resources programme.
Euforgen.org.
Pistacia atlantica
https://www.euforgen.org/species/pistacia-atlantica/
PLANT SPECIES DATABASES
Cal Poly State University, UFEI.
SelecTree: A tree selection guide. (n.d.).
https://www.selectree.calpoly.edu/
'Pistacia atlantica'
https://www.selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/1085
UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATION
Educación y Universidades del Gobierno de Canarias.
Almácigo (Pistacia atlantica)
https://www3.gobiernodecanarias.org/medusa/wiki/index.php?title=Alm%C3%A1cigo_(Pistacia_atlantica)
DESERT PLANTS AND XERISCAPING
Pistacia ‘Red Push’ – Designing Arizona landscape. (n.d.).
hybrid Pistacia atlantica x Pistacia integerrima
https://designingaz.com/pistacia-red-push/
MONUMENTAL TREES
Anasayfa | ANIT AĞAÇ İSTANBUL
LINKEDIN POSTS
Boudaille, D. (August 2025). 🌳 Quels arbres pour 2050 et au-delà ?
OTHER RESOURCES
Cyprus Discovery
Cyprus Wild Pistachio (2026, April 20).
https://cyprusdiscovery.com/cyprus-wild-pistachio/
Cyprus Food Museum. (n.d.).
Tremithopissa (Paphitiki pissa - Paphitiki gum) https://www.cyprusfoodmuseum.com/en/sylloges/trofima/tremithopissa-paphitiki-pissa-paphitiki-gum
Vision
Ulmus minor
Ulmaceae
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 locations in the NTUA campus, near carob and olive trees. However there are also some groups that have probably grown from seed dispersion (very close to bordering walls).
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).
References on Ulmus minor and or other Ulmus spp:
BOOKS
Darricau, Yves. 2022
Des arbres pour le futur : mémento du planteur pour 2050
Arles: Editions du Rouergue
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
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
PLANT SPECIES DATABASES
Plante & Cité
Floriscope, n.d.
'Ulmus minor' and varieties
https://www.floriscope.io/plantes/ulmus-minor
LINKEDIN POSTS
Boudaille, D. (August 2025). 🌳 Quels arbres pour 2050 et au-delà ?
OTHER RESOURCES
Treevitalize.com
Willis, Lyrae 2025
16 Different Types of Elm Trees & Their Identifying Features.
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.).
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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: city of Athens, 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).
References on Tilia tomentosa
Tilia tomentosa - BSBI Website
https://bsbi.org/taxa/2cd4p9h.gv5/tilia-tomentosa
Tilia cordata - BSBI Website
https://bsbi.org/taxa/2cd4p9h.w3q/tilia-cordata
Tilia, Limes - BSBI Website
https://bsbi.org/learn/resources/plant-crib/tilia
How to Identify Linden Trees (Leaf, Bark, Flowers & More)
https://treevitalize.com/how-to-identify-linden-trees/
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 boroughs of Palaion Faliron, Philothei-Psychiko, city of Athens (district Kolonos) 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 (Manningham)
AMERICAS
Brazil (Fortaleza)
Nicaragua (León)
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)
ASIA
Israel (Tel Aviv)
Occurence in Campuses
Arizona State (SelecTree), Georgia State (Dirr), Stanford (Trees of Stanford n.d.)
Performance. They appear to grow well and withstand hot weather.
References on Vitex agnus-castus
Trees of Stanford & Environs. (n.d.).
Vitex agnus-castus, chaste tree
https://trees.stanford.edu/ENCYC/VITagn.htm
SelecTree. UFEI.
Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo.
"Vitex agnus-castus" and varieties
https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/1464
Floriscope, n.d.
'Vitex agnus-castus' and varieties
https://www.floriscope.io/plantes/vitex-agnus-castus
Books
Dirr, Michael A. 2010.
Manual of Woody Landscape Plants : Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. 6. ed., rev., [repr.].
Champaign, Illinois: Stipes.
Images source: Vaso Timonidou (November 2025) Philothei
Distribution in Athens. A well known shrub in gardens and parks. Very rarely, it can found grown and trained as a small tree. In the borough of Philothei-Psychiko.
Biomes primarily in the temperate biome
Countries and areas
Area of origin South Central & South Europe to Iran.
Countries in the area of origin Albania, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Iran, Italy, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Spain, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe.
Global Distribution (Introduced).
EUROPE: Italy (island of Corse), Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Portugal.
AMERICAS: Canada (British Columbia), Peru, USA (Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington).
ASIA: Uzbekistan.
AFRICA: South Africa (Free State, Northern Provinces).
Performance. They appear to grow well and withstand hot weather.
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 ?
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