Please help me ID this tree...

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by DSG, Sep 1, 2006.

  1. DSG

    DSG Member

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    Hi all

    I have a strange tree growing in my garden that I have'nt been able to identify.
    I have never seen it flower, it does'nt seem to have any buds or fruits and it has distictive small leaves.
    The leaves are rhodedendrum leaf shaped, ovoid but wider towards the tip than at the base (I think the term is Obovate?) but they are quite small (None are over 3" long but most are between 1 1/2" and 2" in length)
    There were originally seven seperate trunks growing out of a common stump in the ground but three of the trunks were chopped down.

    Here is a pic of the tree as it looks now:
    http://sigmasd10.fotopic.net/p33540706.html

    Here is a pic showing the top of one of the leaves:

    http://sigmasd10.fotopic.net/p33540705.html

    Here is a pic of the bottom of one of the leaves:

    http://sigmasd10.fotopic.net/p33540704.html

    And here is a pic of a section of the bark on one of the trunks:

    http://sigmasd10.fotopic.net/p33540703.html

    Does anyone have any ideas what it could be?

    (To see larger pics, click on the pics shown in the links)


    Thanks

    DSG
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    It's a willow (Salix).
     
  3. DSG

    DSG Member

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    I dont think its a species of willow as they all have toothed leaf margins and mine has smooth margins.

    Thanks for the suggestion though.

    DSG
     
  4. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Just flipped through Newsholme's The Genus Salix. A sample suggested that roughly half of the three to four hundred willow species and cultivars in the book had leaves with entire margins.
     
  5. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Salix cinerea (Grey Willow) or Salix × reichardtii (the hybrid between Grey Willow and Goat Willow S. caprea)
     
  6. DSG

    DSG Member

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    Thanks Michael..I'm pretty sure now that must be what it is -Grey Willow.

    Thanks again

    DSG
     
  7. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    What appears to be the hybrid is common over here, sold as French pink pussy willow etc.
     

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