Campbell's Magnolia

This wonderful tree grows in the Arboretum at Kilmacurragh here in County Wicklow and it's one which never ceases to amaze me. To start with it blooms so early, bursting forth with hundrede if not even thousands of huge flowers even before all the daffodills are up and running. Then there's the fact that the blooms come out even before the tree comes into leaf. Right now the tree is a sea of pink with not a single bit of green to be seen. A native of the Himalayas this one was brought back to Ireland many years ago as a mere seed and is thriving under the care of the National Botanic Gardens Service.

Ps. These are quite big trees. This branch is about 10metres above my head.