Identification of tree

[Anamiri]

Last year in June as we walked across Galecia into Santiago we noticed two large flowering trees. There were two varieties, and both had a strong scent, in fact one tree had such a strong scent, it almost gave us headaches.
Stupidly I forgot to get a good photograph of them. In Ponferada we sat under one, and the scent permeated the whole street. They were everywhere in Santiago.
Does anyone know what they are, they were very common in all the towns?

 

[t2andreo]

Southern Magnolia trees do proliferate across Galicia. There are several in the jardin of the Pilgrim Office. Their white blossoms are fragrant. A photo would be priceless.

That stated, this is what a Southern Magnolia tree with blossom, in Spain, looks like. This one is located next to the N-550 in Pontecesures, Galicia:



Also, see these thumbnails...



Let us know if this was the tree you remembered.

Hope this helps.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Pretty impossible to identify without a photo or description?

 

[julia-t]

Magnolia Grandiflora?

Strong lemony scent, thick creamy petals and dark glossy leaves.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/10699/Magnolia-grandiflora/Details

 

[Anamiri]

Apologies , these are the only pictures I took, its hard to see the detail

 

[Camino Chrissy]

It definately does not look like a magnolia after seeing your photos!

 

[t2andreo]

I agree. It is not a Magnolia. So much for the easy answer.

Anyone else got an idea? The second photo provides a fairly good view of the flowers. It sort of looks like a type of mountain laurel. But, I have two black thumbs. So, my input on horticulture is not very good.

 

[natefaith]

From your photos, it looks like it might be a chestnut tree starting to flower. The long flowers turn into spiky green balls. And chestnut trees are overwhelmingly fragrant (they're actually too much for me!) when they're flowering. If I can find some photos I'll try to post.

 

[natefaith]

See if these look familiar? I googled "galicia castaño flores". https://www.google.com/search?safe=......0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..3.0.0....0.rPPA3zQYv4k

 

[Camino Chrissy]

@natefaith, Looks like you found the answer to the question. Two of your photos look exactly like the original poster's snapshot!

 

[VNwalking]

The photos actually look like 2 different species. The second one (with the long dangling catkins) is definitely a Chestnut. The first photo taken more at a distance looks to me like a Linden, which is also extremely fragrant.

 

[natefaith]

The photos actually look like 2 different species. The second one (with the long dangling catkins) is definitely a Chestnut. The first photo taken more at a distance looks to me like a Linden, which is also extremely fragrant.

Catkins! That's the word...

Do you have a proper word for "spiky green ball"??

 

[VNwalking]

Do you have a proper word for "spiky green ball"??

A spiky green ball.
Technically? The spiky bit is the cupule, the nut that it encloses is the calybium. (You asked....)

 

[t2andreo]

Yup! This photo is the closest to the OP photo....the second one... The associated website to the photo led me to this site: https://mieladictos.com/guia-mieles-espana-y-portugal/miel-de-castano/

Apparently, it is about honey that comes from bees that make hives in chestnut trees. Yum!



Well spotted...

 

[Anamiri]

Thank you. They were one of my memories, and I had no idea what they were.

 

[IngridF]

Apologies , these are the only pictures I took, its hard to see the detail

Chestnuts trees

 

[sempervivum]

The first one looks like a linden tree.