I have a tree/ shrub in my yard that I can't identify. It may even be a weed of some sort. I say "tree" because I removed the branches on the lower portion of the trunk thinking I was going to remove the whole thing. It made a beautiful little tree, so I decided to leave it, but almost 2 years later, is now easily 15 feet tall, and I don't know what it is. The flat, dark green leaves each have 3 lobes, that are long and narrow. The edges are smooth, with each tip being pointed. Each has a vein arising from the central vein which is a pale yellow in color. The leaves alternate on each branch, and the branches are a burgundy/brown color. The trunk is a soft wood, smooth and brown with deep green underlying color. It has not lost any leaves during the winters. There is no scent when the leaves are crushed, and no sap that I notice when leaves or branches are removed. It has had no flowers of seed pods as of yet. I live in So. Calif. I've been on EVERY "leaf identifying" website I can find and still have NO clues. Thanks
Take a leaf to a local nursery. There are many thousands of kinds of plants still in existence, so it wouldn't be expected that you would happen upon it on the internet - unless it was an abundant cosmopolitan weed, a commercially prevalent selection produced in large quantities and sold widely or you looked at locally targeted sites that showed only plants likely to be seen in your region.
Brachychiton sp. possibly B. rupestris. http://www.botanypictures.com/plantimages/brachychiton rupestris 02 FR lyon jardin botanique.JPG HTH Chris
Cindy looks like you have a drought tolerant monster from down under. I suspect if you try to move it it will not survive. Natives don't like moving house once settled. http://www.cpbr.gov.au/gnp/interns-2005/brachychiton-rupestris.html http://asgap.org.au/b-rup.html Liz
Yes, it took up residence over a year ago, and I should have been more diligent in finding out what it was then. I'm sure we could have moved it last year without too much trouble. Where it sits now, it's only inches from our concrete slab. And by the looks of things, it just might take over. It's a beautiful tree, and it will break my heart if we kill it. My husband is good at digging...I'm going to put him to the test!
What an interesting tree - I'd never heard of it. But the first link Liz provided does say it transplants well. Also, it can probably be purchased somewhere if you lose it and you've set your heart on having one.
KarinL I am glad some one reads all the info (not me in this case) it would be one of the few natives that would take to transplanting. So it is obviously worth a go. DON't give it normal fertilizer as that is definatley something natives don't tolerate. I suspect the soil where it is, is far richer than what it is used too. We are missing a lot of trace elements and phosphorous in Australian soils and the plants have learned to adapt "Very basically, like all matter on earth, phosphorus is a chemical (as are you and I). It occurs in most soils throughout the world, and the local plants use it to their advantage. In most Australian soils, phosphorus is deficient, and so the plants (eg proteacea) have developed systems to extract as much as they can (which is why adding phosphorus to the soil will kill them). You can use proprietry fertilisers which are low in phosphorus for native plants, or you can just use compost. This should be enough to keep them healthy - after all they survive in our conditions with no help in the wild!" http://www.au.gardenweb.com/forums/load/oznative/msg1220050528690.html Liz
I was glad to read on several websites, that this tree will most likely survive a move. We plan to keep it in the same planter, but will move it to the middle. We may wait a week or so till the weather gets a little cooler. My poor husband has moved quite a few plants due to me often changing my mind. He's up for the task! Thanks for the info. on the soil! Interestingly, the planter it is in, was overgrown with plants that we decided to take out, so the soil is probably lacking in many nutrients. That may be why it seems so happy where it is. I just can't help but wonder where it came from. I won't change anything. I'll keep you informed of the move, and I'm hoping for the best! Thanks, Cindy
Thanks again for the help identifying my mystery tree. We took a chance and moved the tree, only because we had to, and now we wait to see if it survives! Wish it luck!!
