Mediterranean area. Evergreen narrow columnar form famous in Italian landscapes. Needs free draining soil, tolerates very dry conditions. Aromatic timber.

Broadly spreading, evergreen. Tough shelter shrub for exposed and coastal conditions but is too frost tender for inland South Island areas. Wood is hard and black, streaked with white.

Britain, Europe, Caucasus & Alborz Mts. (Iran). Broadly columnar, deciduous tree with stout greenish-grey shoots with jet black buds. Leaves with 7-13 coarsely serrate leaflets, late into leaf & early to fall. Flowers before the leaves, developing into bunches of 'keys'. Vigorous grower, best on deep moist to wet soils but tolerates much drier soils, enjoys limestone. Valuable light coloured hardwood timber for tool handles, sports goods, and joinery. Steams and bends well. Coppices readily, producing straight poles and rods. Great firewood, burns cut green.

Selected NZ clone, upright habit, evergreen larger glossy green leaves with a wavy edge. Clips well to a formal hedge.Can be damaged by -8C.