With summer in full swing, ArborNote’s Tree of the Week is the summer blooming Japanese Pagoda Tree (Styphnolobium japonicum). Despite its common name, the Japanese Pagoda Tree is actually native to China. It can be found in Japan and many other countries, from Europe to South America, as it is a popular ornamental tree. They typically grow to a height of 30-50 feet, with a spread of 30-50 feet, making them great shade trees. They are also popular because of their beautiful white, pea-like flowers that bloom in midsummer (July – August), when most other blooming trees are already done after spring. The flowers and leaves are used to make tea, particularly by native families in Laoshan Village, Shandong Province, China. The wood is used to make the strong, springy curved “enju wood” handle used on the traditional Japanese woodworking adze, called the chouna. Interestingly, there is a famous Pagoda Tree called Zuihuai in Jingshan Park, Beijing, which translates to “guilty pagoda tree”. This tree (although replanted throughout history) is apparently the spot from which the last emperor of the Ming dynasty, Chongzhen, hanged himself in 1644, after the defeat of his army. The tree was then considered guilty for allowing the death of the emperor.