As you are out and about in the Arboretum on the Medford Campus, traversing between Courts Six and Ten, you will see the Persian parrotia or Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica). This beauty of this upright tree is its multi-stemmed presentation, with green leaves that are currently turning various shades of red, orange and yellow. The mature bark exfoliates to patches of green, tan, and white as we get into the winter season.
Though Parrotia is native to Iran, you will also find this tree on the Lumberton Campus in front of the Community Center.