Copperleaf

This big fruit tree grows up to 31 feet (9.4 meters) tall and lives for up to 20 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 35 years old. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has a narrow, wavy trunk covered in paper-thin, rough, copper-coloured bark, and inside, the light wood is copper-coloured.

The abundance of branches are short stubs and are covered with large amounts of miniature, spear shaped leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are a shade of copper that gradient shifts to cyan at the top.

In early spring, it produces many clusters of medium-sized, dark brown blossoms with 8 teardrop-shaped shaped petals. They fall easily and have an intense scent that smells like a damp log.

In late summer it produces tiny, slender, 3 pointed fruit. The smooth dark grey skin is tough and edible when roasted; it is bitter and savoury, and the very soft orange flesh is sweet and dry. The white seeds are large and are dotted around on the skin of the fruit.

The roots are long and grow straight down, and overall the tree is sturdy and difficult to uproot.

Forests of this species feature trees spaced far apart, with clear space between them.