I have a tree I can't seem to find anything on. Has very dark red leaves and the seed pod looks like a cockle burr. No digital camera to post a picture. Any help out there?
Check out Ricinus communis: http://images.google.com/images?q=ricinus If it is this, note that it is very poisonous.
Michael-thanks for the photos. I am afraid I did not give enough information about the tree. The leaves are a deep red-maybe you could call it a burgundy color and and the leave are single, on each side of the stem-alternating up the stem. The edges of the leaves are sort of ruffled and the burrs are single, not in groups. The tree is columnar in shape. Hope this gives you a little more to go on. Thanks.
Did you by chance see it bloom? How tall is it approx? Is this the 1st year you've seen it or do you have a "history" with it?
Sounds like a fastigiate Copper Beech. http://www.bluebellnursery.com/catalogue/images/1093.jpg http://www.hainaultforest.co.uk/BeechMast.JPG HTH Chris
Thanks for all the help-you were right about it being a copper beech. We bought it at a nursery auction before it had leafed out. Was in with the hornbeams and we thought that was what it was until it started to leaf out. Now I know why it was in with the hornbeams. Thanks again to all you smart helpful people.
