tree I.D.

Mack

Mack

Expert Ultracrepidarian
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Aug 19, 2007
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She Who Must Be Obeyed has asked to have this tree identified. Hope these pics will do.

nyfepron1.jpg


whazzit4.jpg


whazzit3.jpg


whazzit2.jpg
 
In the spring those little fruit looked like this.
Sorry about the blurry pics.

whazzit6.jpg


whazzit5.jpg
 
How tall was the tree? Did you open those capsuls up, if so were they cottony seeds inside?

Also I know you travel alot, where is that tree.
 
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12 to 15 feet tall, pods when opened are not cottony. the green covering surrounds a moist off-white similarly shaped orb.
This in in Oregon, next to the house which is near the Central Coast.
None of my books show anything like it that is supposed to be there.
 
BarberFobic1992 said:
if doc is on, he will probably be able to help you out.
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Yeah Doc is one of the best. I'm kind of amazed someone else hasn't figured it out yet, but I've looked in several books on trees that are supposed to be there and I can't find it.
Thanks guys.


Doc?
Doc?
Is there a Doc in the house?:D
 
protourist said:
Hey Doc, Ya out there?
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Just got on. Electrical storms and I didn't want to fry my computer. Remember, I'm in the East. You guys on the left coast have all kinds of weird stuff. Pitdog would probably be your best bet. Sorry, I can't help.

Doc
 
Does it have a nut like thing inside it's fruit/ pods? If it does then it might be poisonous. Its sure looks alot like the tree whos fruit's almost killed us when I was a kid.
 
I'm beginning to think this tree is not supposed to be here. It is probably a transplant that happens to be thriving.
The Laurels I looked at did not match.
Thanks for the input.
 
some sort of cherry?

NOTE: It is really helpful to figure out the tree if you include: what part of the country you live in - whether the branching pattern alternate or opposite and whether the leaves are compound or not.
 
hollowdweller said:
some sort of cherry?

NOTE: It is really helpful to figure out the tree if you include: what part of the country you live in - whether the branching pattern alternate or opposite and whether the leaves are compound or not.
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That was a really good guess, HD. I kind of thought cherry when I saw the fruit raceme, kind of like Choke Cherry or Black Cherry, but the leaves are way too big.

HD is right on the money about part of the country, opposite or alternate and whether or not they are compound. A good picture of the bark on the trunk wouldn't hurt either.

Also an indication of the overall size - whether it is a tree or a shrub, possibly. Does it have thorns, how does the the tops of the leaves differ from the undersides, if at all. Are there teeth along the edge (margin) of the leaf? How are the veins in the leaf arranged - better yet a closeup picture of one mature leaf so these things can be determined. What colour are the ripe fruit. All these things would greatly help an identification.

When I see kgd's pictures, it's pretty easy, in a lot of cases to recognize the distinctive flowers, because I live in the same general area. It also helps when I know what's in bloom. You're in a whole different area, as is HD so that makes it very difficult. Thank goodness for Norcal Blacktail. :D

There is one other thing, too. That tree/flower/plant may not be native to your area - it could have been planted as an ornamental but originated in Madagascar! Birds could have dropped seeds in natural areas which caused their growth there. That's why I have Viburnum lantana - Wayfaring Tree (Otzi, the Iceman's preferred arrow wood) growing in my hiking area. It's not native here.

Anyway, just a couple of thoughts on the subject.

Doc
 
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norcalblacktail said:
Its an English Laurel. Prunus laurocerassus. Its not Native but have been here since the 19th Century.
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I agree, that stuff is every where in the woods behind my folks house in Scotland. the more i look at it the more im convinced. Its defo laurel.
 
I checked some other books I have, and I would have to agree with Norcal Blacktail. BTW, in one of the books, it says the fruit are poisonous.

Doc
 
DOC-CANADA said:
I checked some other books I have, and I would have to agree with Norcal Blacktail. BTW, in one of the books, it says the fruit are poisonous.

Doc
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+1 When we where kids, we got curious in this tree and ate the fruits. It has a milky tasting nuts inside and it's actually not bad tasting. But soon we're getting nauseous and started having a headache and started vomiting. The doctor said that we're lucky to be alive and that the fruit is really poisonous when eaten, but it also has medicinal properties. The leaves when steamed can be patched over wounds or aching body parts. ( I would not advice this though) Also the fruit when aged and dried can be cooked to get it's oil, which can be used for massaging therapy.
 
norcalblacktail said:
Its an English Laurel. Prunus laurocerassus. Its not Native but have been here since the 19th Century.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I believe you hit it right on the uh trunk.
She Who Must be Obeyed thanks you too.:thumbup::cool::D
 
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