Hello, I’m new to this discussion board. This is my first post. I hope I’m following proper procedure. I’m looking for help in identifying and learning about a tree that’s a mystery to our community (Alert Bay, BC.) There’s a debate now about whether the tree should come down. No one locally has seen one like it. Outside experts who have seen some photos say the best guess is some kind of Chamaecyparis obtusa. An arborist called it some kind of juniper. He cored it and found it free of rot, but to my knowledge didn’t date it. We think it may have been planted in the 1940s or maybe a bit earlier. C.obtusa ID plausible in some ways, but not sure this has the white x marking on leaf underside, and the general habit. No photo I’ve seen of any of the tree-sized cultivars looks like it. Also, this trunk splits about 3 m up, and each splits again about half way to the top (tree height 20 – 25 m maybe) and all photos I’ve seen show just one trunk. Attached is photo of whole tree. I can send others, depending what might be most useful to anyone who may help. Please let me know. I have photos of bark, foliage, strobili (I’m told they’re called) and immature female cones. I don’t think I’ve yet found what may be a mature cone. Neither am I sure what’s a needle and what’s a leaf for this tree. I’m not knowledgeable about trees, so not sure what to send. We’re interested in identifying the tree because … - no one’s known for sure what it is, and visitors to our island often ask (it’s near the ferry slip, and very noticeable to new arrivals.) - identification may help us learn about the root system, longevity and health. - it may help assess the risks it faces and poses (near power line, and on edge of bank) and what would be the effect of a retaining wall to stabilize the bank.
Here's some of the best I have at the moment. I have some of this in two resolution versions, +/- 100k and +/- 400k. Can get more later if needed. Sorry no ruler. Some scale indicators are pencil tip and toothpick in diff close-ups.
