I'm curious what tree this is. I got some seeds from below one today and I'm hoping to germinate them and plant them, but I'm not sure how without knowing the species. Thanks! You can see the undersides of the leaves in the top left of the tree picture (same species).
The first picture shows the 'Frisia' black locust - the only familiar hardy tree that looks like this.
Read this, to determine, if it's robinia or gleditsia: Types of Locust Trees Listed and Explained With Pictures
I know this isn't terribly scientific but the photo above just doesn't 'look' like Gleditsia triacanthos nor do the pods look like Honey Locust Pods to me. Given the fact that Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia' has been extremely popular in gardens and city landscapes for over 20 years, I vote for Robinia. Whether or not they grow true from seed is something I couldn't tell.
Leaflets definitely wrong for Gleditsia triacanthos Sunburst...they are much smaller dainty. In clusters along the branch. See link. gleditsia triacanthos sunburst leaflets - Google Search: Leaflets right for Robinia pseudoacacia "Frisia" Robinia pseudoacacia "Frisia" leaves - Google Search Pods look a good match. robinia pseudoacacia seed pods - Google Search: In UK it used to be a very popular tree in gardens. Now I cannot think of any that still remain. All ( including ours died) Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’ problems / RHS Gardening
Hadn't stopped to think about it, but all the ones around here have died too - it's a few years now since I last saw one.
It was very sad...our youngish tree was just beautiful. It was at the top of a sloping garden with dark green trees and shrubs as a back drop it glowed. Then one year it looked ill and had a few bare branches. Next year it was 100% dead. All the trees in the area suffered the same fate. RHS...Royal Horticultural Soc never did seem to get the answer as to why?
Yet the clone is still alive and well in Canada - so it can't be some sort of pre-programmed clonal death.
I am keeping this thread alive because I'd love to hear your theories about why Robinia pseudocacia 'Frisa' should be doing fine in Canada (North America) whilst it is dying in Britain (Europe). Is it just a matter of time until they all start to die here as well?
Very likely it is due to different climate. As said in Silver surfer's link Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’ problems / RHS Gardening : "There has been an increase in a leaf-spot fungus (Phloeospora robiniae), which is more prevalent in wet weather conditions, causing defoliation and weakening the trees . . . The unusually wet weather of recent years could well be a contributing factor, stressing the trees and making them more susceptible to disease (Robinia tends to perform best on well-drained soils). . ." Other possible causes listed in the article are also related to other fungal diseases and rots which are more prevalent in wet climates.
