Trees native to the Peloponnese include the Pencil Pine (Cupressus sempervirens), which was apparently named after Kyparrisos. These tall, slender, evergreens stand out in the Peloponnesian landscape.
White poplar (Populus alba)
is a beautiful deciduous tree with downy leaves and attractive white bark. There are some at the Lamda Grove, along with oak and walnut trees.
Fig trees
are widespread in the Methoni region of the Peloponnese and many must have self seeded. They are the last to break into leaf in spring and the first to lose their leaves in Autumn. The fruits ripen in August to September. Figs aid liver function and respiratory system so Used as a diruetic, and to relieve coughs. Rich in suger. Good to eat fresh for breakfast each morning during late August and September, and can be dried in the sun for use in winter.
Walnut trees
grew throughout Europe, but disease has reduced their numbers. Astringent, Mildly sedative and anti-inflammatory. Decoctions of the leaves are used on sores, cuts and wounds. The nuts are an important constituent of Greek sweets. There were 7 Walnut trees at Lamda grove but within the past 10 years, two have beccome diseased and fallen.The green outer layer (fruit) must be removed and the juice stains brown, so wear gloves or you will have brown fingers for days! The nuts are then dried in the sun before storing.
Almond trees
flower in February-March and look wonderful against a clear blue sky. Almond blossom is tinged with pink and small, smooth nuts are produced later in the year. Two trees grew at the Lemon Grove but never produced nuts, and died in the cold weather of 2004. Almonds are one of the main nuts used in Greek cookery.
Cherry Trees
are grown commercially in the higher, cooler climate around Tripolis, while citrus fruits are widely grown, especially around the area of Sparta. Lemon Trees are not ideally suited to the Methoni area, where winters can be damp. They are best grown by the south side of a building which offers shelter.Across the Peloponnese, Olive trees are the most important commercially grown tree. while other trees are grown to provide shade and are ornamental. You may see Date palms (Pheonix dactylifera), Sago Palms along boulevards, lovely yellow Mimosa in Spring and the purple "judas tree" with flowers opening along the branches before the leaves appear.
In towns you'll see Acacia, Jacaranda and "bitter orange" trees lining streets. The bright orange fruit is a welcome sight in winter and the sweet scent fills the air in spring.
By the old Coast road in Methoni, mature tamarix trees grow. They are resistant to salt air but older trees have been damaged by storms over the past years and fewer remain.