Cucumber Tree
FAMILY: MAGNOLIACEAE
About Cucumber Tree at OSU's Landscape Plants site
Native to the eastern U.S.
Can reach 125’ in height but usually is somewhat shorter.
Leaves are 7-10” long, smooth-edged, dark green on the top and slightly fuzzy beneath; tip is pointed.
Flowers are greenish-yellow, tulip-shaped, and appear with the leaves. Fruit cone/pod resembles a small cucumber and later turns pink to red with red seeds.
Fall color can be pleasant yellow but more often drab.
Rare in Portland.
#14 is perhaps the largest Cucumber Tree in the city. It was planted around 1900 on the estate of Cicero Horatius Lewis who owned the only house ever to be built on this block (in 1879-80). The house was razed in 1917 to make room for the park attached to Couch School (now called Metropolitan Learning Center).
| Tree # | Location | Dimensions | Photo and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Portland Parks & Recreation | 70' Height 65' Spread 14.3' Circ. | This tree is in the southeast corner of Couch Park. It is perhaps the largest Cucumber Tree in the city. It was planted around 1900 on the estate of Cicero Horatius Lewis who owned the only house ever to be built on this block (in 1879-80). The house was razed in 1917 to make room for the park attached to Couch School (now called Metropolitan Learning Center).  |