Name that tree, Please

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By rmr


This Is My Tree Of Shame

For three years now, I have lived in this house. And for three years, I have tried to identify this tree. The first year, in the spring, it bloomed in beautiful white flowers. Fragrant and delicate flowers that attracted butterflies. In the late summer, it looked as if it wanted to bear some type of fruit. By the early autumn, the fruit had grown to about the size of a pea, and stalled. Rather than maturing into whatever they were supposed to be, they fell to the ground.

The tree was extremely bushy, so I trimmed it in the late autumn, when I thought it had gone dormant. I may have been a bit over zealous in my efforts. When spring rolled back around, there were no flowers! It was kind of a dry spring, so I waited and watched a while. Nothing. Summer came and went, autumn rolled in. No flowers, no fruit, nothing but leaves.


This year, it bloomed. And again, as autumn approaches, I see the little mystery fruit by the thousands. As you can see in the picture, it's looking bushy again, as well as leaning quite a bit. If you know what kind of tree this is, I sure would appreciate it if you let me in on it. I am faced with a decision, here.

Each year, it has leaned a bit further toward the street. If it's going to bear some kind of edible fruit, it may be worth trying to correct. But if I can't even identify it, I'm afraid it has to go.

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Here are the leaves. I've seen leaves like this on other trees, but not with the mystery fruit.

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The bark is rough in texture, and you can see the evidence of my shamefully amateurish efforts at pruning. Also, please disregard all the dead grass, and the clover that appears to be mounting an attack on my lawn (oh, the shame).

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And there's the mystery fruit. They grow in bunches, like cherries. They've never matured, so I don't know what they actually are. I'm far from an expert, but I have never seen a cherry tree that looked quite like this, either.

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I know this may be a substandard hub. Flag it, if you must. But PLEASE take a stab at identifying this thing. It's driving me nuts!

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B.T. Evilpants profile image

B.T. Evilpants  says:
16 months ago

Dude, just cut it down and be done with it!

Zsuzsy Bee profile image

Zsuzsy Bee  says:
16 months ago

BT shame on you don't cut out the Linden tree... rmr I think you have a Linden tree there. Are the little "berries" a beigy grey in color? The flowers make a really great tea that is great for stoach upsets. The tea also makes a really great hair rinse.

Tilia Tomentosa or Silver Linden--- Beautiful shade tree with light gray, smooth bark and leaves that are a dark, radiant green on top, shimmering silver beneath. Extremely fragrant clusters of yellow-white flowers bloom in late June to early July. Pollution tolerant. Likes moist, well-drained alkaline soil and full sun. Grows 50 to 70' with a 25 to 35' spread. (Zones 4-7)

regards Zsuzsy

rmr profile image

rmr  says:
16 months ago

Zsuzsy, thanks a lot. But actually, the bark is rough, the leaves are green on both sides, and the berries have never made it beyond green. They may have a slight yellow tinge.

rmr profile image

rmr  says:
16 months ago

By the way, Zsuzsy; I was thinking about you when I wrote this one. I was also Hoping Bob would weigh in.

Zsuzsy Bee profile image

Zsuzsy Bee  says:
16 months ago

Are the berries hard and in clusters that are attached to a narrow long leaf? Maybe it isn't the silver variety but the Tilia Americanus. In the picture it really looks like a Linden variety. zs

rmr profile image

rmr  says:
16 months ago

They are hard, and in clusters. No narrow leaf, though. At least I have a starting point, though.

At my last house, I had a Catalpa. Much easier to identify. Better for shade, too.

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
15 months ago

This photo is marked Linden tree and looks similar, but not 100%.

http://www.almalach.com/lin-tree-2-b-w.jpg

Looks more like Slippery Elm that has rougher bark with age

http://isthereacure.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/0

rmr profile image

rmr  says:
14 months ago

Well, I waited til the fruit matured a bit. All it did was got brown and mushy. It doesn't seem to be a Linden, or a Slippery Elm. Any other takers?

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