Here is quite a contrast, enough to set your turbinates to spinning.

In the foreground, Ailanthus, and behind it, a Linden: two trees known for their fragrance, so to speak.

Ailanthus, the Asian import, is well known as a weed tree. You see it all over town, springing up in vacant lots, growing out of storm drains, or even from cracks in the sidewalk. Lately, you may be smelling it, as well. The male flowers (below) have what the field guide refers to as 'an objectionable odor'.

I don't object, exactly, but I don't savor it, either.






There's not actually all that much Ailanthus in the Park. It's been a long time since any was planted, it's undesirable characteristics having become well known. Unlike some 'invasive species', it doesn't aggressively displace native plants, although it will happily grow in disturbed areas, and waste places.

The Lindens, now there's a different story...






American Basswood is the checklist name of the local representative of genus Tilia, but here in the Northeast, it is habitually known as Linden, a name properly applied to several European varieties, also found in the Park.

These are just opening their Summer flowers. Not too impressive to see, though they do lend the boughs a nice gilded look, but the smell...