Help ID odd tree in San Francisco, flat topped, may be fruit-bearing

madge707

Hi, we recently moved into a house that had some existing plants in the yard. We can't figure out what this one is. It's right now dormant, it appears but we feel like it's either a fruit or nut tree.

The leaves are reddish green, at least now (Fall here in San Francisco, CA). It has a grayish trunk. It is growing outward instead of upward, i.e., is flat on top. We scaled it back to try to bring it back to healthy.






There are small buds that seem like where new leaves will grow, but maybe fruit down the road. Or is it a nut tree? Or something else entirely. Thanks!

Attached Thumbnails

   

madge707

Forgot to mention, the leaves are finely sawtoothed or serrated on the edges. Can't see it that well in the picture. Thanks.

Eric Frei

I'm guessing it's peach.

Might also be apple.

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madge707

Thanks! The peach family might be a very good guess. It hadn't occurred to us because it hasn't bloomed all year (might be because it was neglected for awhile, and we're also close to the beach which isn't a great area for a peach tree). Don't think it's apple... We have an apple tree in the yard that doesn't look anything like it (tho there are tons of varieties of course.) Anyway peach could be a good guess, thanks!

Whatever it is, it needs some help...

Jamie Myers

It s definitely a Prunus of sorts. Better pics needed.
Cherry cultivar is my bet

Brent Ferris

Need better pics of trunk and leaves, and if have them, buds.

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madge707

Hi,

I've attached a few new pictures. Hopefully these will help a bit more.







Thanks everyone!

Chimera

I'm going to go against the grain and say maybe this could be something else.

Some type of Corylus maybe?

Jamie Myers

Definately Prunus

jmcg.insight.gardens

maybe Prunus serrulata

Brent Ferris

Corylus has broader leaves. Definitely a Prunus, and I think Julie is prob right with Japanese Cherry Prunus serrulata -- I am just uncertain if it will survive in your climate.

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

madge707

Japanese cherry makes a lot of sense based on what I know of the people who owned the house prior to us.

I am worried about the tree surviving, even though it looks like its fairly old. We're about four blocks from the ocean with very sandy soil and lots of fog. The location its in is at the back of the garden up against the neighbor's house so it has its own little microclimate of warmth and gets some of the best sun in the yard. The granny smith apple tree we have back there near it seems to be doing okay, despite what looks like several years of neglect. I'm pretty sure that whatever tree this is hasn't had anyone caring for it for at least three years if not more. We pruned away a crazy amount of very large suckers from it right after we moved in.

We're thinking about pulling it out so we could plant another tree there since it is in a very prime spot in our small garden. Its just I hate to remove it if there's a chance of saving it and bringing it back to health.