Parrotia persica - Persian Ironwood

Parrotia persica, also known as the Iron Tree, Persian Beech or Persian Parrotia, is a small deciduous tree that becomes unique in autumn with the beauty of its incandescent foliage mixing green, yellow, orange, crimson and purple. It surprises in spring with its flowering in bouquets of red stamens that appear directly on the branches. Finally, in winter, its bark begins peeling like that of certain plane trees.

The Iron Tree belongs to the Hamamelidaceae family, and is native to the North of Iran and the East of the Caucasus. The growth of this small tree is slow and its adult size will not exceed 8 m (26.2 ft) in height and 10 m (32.8 ft) in width.

Persian Parrotia has a spreading habit, often wider than tall: its branches show a rather horizontal development. It has a sturdy trunk, sometimes even multiple trunks. The flowers appear before the leaves directly on the twigs. They consist of bouquets of dark red stamens, surrounded by brown bracts. Parrotia persica truly ignites in autumn, with green, gold, orange, red, and purple all blending together in a single leaf. The summer foliage is bright green. Its thick leaves bear undulate edges, are more or less diamond-shaped, and resemble those of the beech. The branches of old specimens often bend down to the ground. In winter, its bark peels off in sheets and reveals discreet shades of grey, reddish-brown, and greenish-grey. Note that the tree is often marcescent.

Plant the Iron Tree in any type of soil, even limestone, dry or moist but well-drained. The origins of this large shrub explain its undemanding nature (in Iran, the soil is rather limestone and the climate hot and dry). It will thrive in partial shade or full sun, but it is commonly agreed that the autumn colours of the canopy will be more intense in slightly acidic soil and with a well-exposed but not scorching position. In the first years, practice formative pruning.

Parrotia persica can be planted individually or to shade a bed of heathers, camellias, and pieris in acidic soil. You can plant it with x Sycoparrotia, a similar tree but with semi-evergreen foliage that turns golden yellow in autumn. In neutral or limestone, well-drained soil, use it for example in a mixed hedge, accompanied by Montpellier Maple (Acer Monspessulanum), 'Grace' Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria 'Grace'), and Winged Spindle (Euonymus alatus) to create a dazzling grove from September to November. Note that its drought resistance and the hardiness of the Iron Tree allow its cultivation in many situations.

Parrotia persica was introduced in Europe in 1841. Its vernacular name Iron Tree is inspired by its wood's exceptional hardness, which makes it difficult to work with. It has served as a basis for the creation of tools that sometimes are over 2000 years old.