23. Bay Laurel

Sniff these trees. Scratch a leaf or twig with your fingernail and inhale the spritely fragrance of sweet bay, renowned for its use as a flavoring since ancient Grecian times. The two multitrunked trees next to Sieg Hall's entrance are the largest in Washington, the taller being 40 feet. They're both males, cutting-grown specimens, and so genetically identical to most of the other bay laurels planted locally. Like the cork oak, this is a Mediterranean native that suffers damage in severely cold winters. As an element in Italian, formal or herbal gardens, bay laurels are indispensible.