Chinese Parasol Tree, Japanese Varnish Tree, Phoenix Tree      fir-me-AH-na SIM-plex

• Broadleaf deciduous tree to 50 ft (15 m) tall, round headed, slow growing, with smooth gray-green bark.   Leaves simple, alternate, palmately lobed, 15-20 cm long and wide, base cordate, entire, glabrous above and tomentose below.  Flowers small, yellowish-green, in terminal clusters 20-30 cm long.   Fruit opening before it is ripe, becoming leaflike, pea-sized seeds on the margins.
• Sun or part shade.  Adaptable to many soil types.  Protect from wind.
• Hardy to USDA Zone (6) 7     Native to China.
• simplex: simple, the leaves