ID. this tree please

Nymieince · 28th August 2010, 11:29 PM

Any chance someone can identify this tree.
The fruit in the picture is 5" [125mm] I have picked a flower and hung it next to the fruit.
It is so heavy in fruit that I think it may need pruning, any help very welcome.
We have recently moved to Spain and this tree is close to the farmhouse we are restoring!
Thanks

treeshaveneeds · 29th August 2010, 02:14 AM

I don't see the flower, though I don't think it would help me any. Can you post a closeup, focussed picture of the fruit, and if possible the flower? Some people can probably Id this tree- with more exacting pics of the fruit and flower.

If the fruit on the branches is too heavy, either remove 1/3 of the fruit (helps remaining fruit) or prop up the branches to minimize branch breakage. Once the fruit has fallen/been picked remove the supports, and prune at the appropriate time with a knowledgeable arborist to lessen the problem.

Nymieince · 30th August 2010, 03:29 AM

Hope these new ones help.
By the way apart from a cold mid-winter period this tree is flowering and fruiting continually.
Thanks!

dov · 30th August 2010, 11:30 AM

It seriously doesn't ring any bells for me, but if the tree has useful/edible berries, the previous owners have probably shared them with neighbours or friends at some point of time. Have you asked the neighbours what it is? Once you have a local name it is generally easy to work back from there to a proper ID.

Davo The Terrible · 30th August 2010, 10:16 PM

The tree is Phytolacca dioica - they call it "Pakka Lakka" over here

jmcg.insight.gardens · 30th August 2010, 10:47 PM

good call Davo

Julie

Nymieince · 31st August 2010, 01:20 AM

Thanks Davo and keep that axe away from my tree!!
I looked on the web with Phytolacca Diocia [Dioicia] There are a few sites, the best had 12 pics and the flower, leaves and some close-ups could have been taken of our tree.
Many thanks, we had a fantastic time in Queensland for 9 months in 2006 sailing.
We are going to nickname our tree Pakka Lakka, Phytolacca Dioicia, seems a bit heavy!
Cheers.

dov · 31st August 2010, 02:24 AM

Same genus as the North American Pokeweed! The fruit on it reminded me of the pokeweed ID we had a while ago, but I couldn't this tree. Guess I should have jumped on the books instead of the net for this one...

Good call Davo.

Davo The Terrible · 31st August 2010, 08:00 PM

No worries - They're quite an interesting tree, often planted for shade for livestock as they grow to a huge size in hardly any time at all - They seem to grow particularly well in the deep volcanic red soils (ferrosols?) of the South Burnett region. Also a great climbing tree for kids!

dov · 1st September 2010, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davo The Terrible

No worries - They're quite an interesting tree, often planted for shade for livestock as they grow to a huge size in hardly any time at all - They seem to grow particularly well in the deep volcanic red soils (ferrosols?) of the South Burnett region. Also a great climbing tree for kids!

A climbing tree for kids? From what I've been reading the wood can be soft enough to cut with a knife.

bsearcey · 1st September 2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dov

Same genus as the North American Pokeweed! The fruit on it reminded me of the pokeweed ID we had a while ago, but I couldn't this tree. Guess I should have jumped on the books instead of the net for this one...

Good call Davo.

Hah..when I saw the flower raceme I thought to myself...man that looks like pokeweed. I guess the taxonomists know what they are doing.

Davo The Terrible · 1st September 2010, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dov

A climbing tree for kids? From what I've been reading the wood can be soft enough to cut with a knife.

Yeah, I would be interested to know the strength of the timber - My friend had a huge specimen of this tree that we used to climb all the time as kids with no problems. It weathered a few good storms too.

dcarter · 2nd September 2010, 12:31 PM

What wood is not soft enough to cut with a knife? And we climb around in them all day. Just today I found myself using multiple branch segments, becuase I'm to old and fat for one limb that small to support my butt, to distribute my weight as I went to the edge to prune dead wood from a Drake Elm. Perhaps Ironwood, Leadwood, petrified wood, maybe some of the arid species of pine---pinion, etc. Anyhoo---strong fiber (often indicated by the faster growing tree species) usually creates some extremely flexible woody growth and is inherently strong fiber = some of the strongest in fact.

dov · 2nd September 2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcarter

What wood is not soft enough to cut with a knife? And we climb around in them all day. Just today I found myself using multiple branch segments, becuase I'm to old and fat for one limb that small to support my butt, to distribute my weight as I went to the edge to prune dead wood from a Drake Elm. Perhaps Ironwood, Leadwood, petrified wood, maybe some of the arid species of pine---pinion, etc. Anyhoo---strong fiber (often indicated by the faster growing tree species) usually creates some extremely flexible woody growth and is inherently strong fiber = some of the strongest in fact.

It all depends on how long you want to be there with the knife. You can whittle the trees down, I'll use a chainsaw.

Nymieince · 3rd September 2010, 12:39 AM

Hi,
Good to read the chat!
You talk about wood, it looks more like fibre and when dry has no strength.
The newly cut piece in the pic is heavy and very woodlike but the dry piece, only pruned in March has completely dried out and could easily be grumpled in your hand.

You talk of fast growing, in an earlier pic you will see how close the tree is to the house, do I have root concerns?
Thanks guys.

28th August 2010, 11:29 PM	#1
Nymieince Sappling Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Spain Posts: 7	ID. this tree please Any chance someone can identify this tree. The fruit in the picture is 5" [125mm] I have picked a flower and hung it next to the fruit. It is so heavy in fruit that I think it may need pruning, any help very welcome. We have recently moved to Spain and this tree is close to the farmhouse we are restoring! Thanks Attached Thumbnails

29th August 2010, 02:14 AM	#2
treeshaveneeds Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,399	Re: ID. this tree please I don't see the flower, though I don't think it would help me any. Can you post a closeup, focussed picture of the fruit, and if possible the flower? Some people can probably Id this tree- with more exacting pics of the fruit and flower. If the fruit on the branches is too heavy, either remove 1/3 of the fruit (helps remaining fruit) or prop up the branches to minimize branch breakage. Once the fruit has fallen/been picked remove the supports, and prune at the appropriate time with a knowledgeable arborist to lessen the problem.

30th August 2010, 03:29 AM	#3
Nymieince Sappling Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Spain Posts: 7	Re: ID. this tree please Hope these new ones help. By the way apart from a cold mid-winter period this tree is flowering and fruiting continually. Thanks! Attached Thumbnails

30th August 2010, 11:30 AM	#4
dov Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 651	Re: ID. this tree please It seriously doesn't ring any bells for me, but if the tree has useful/edible berries, the previous owners have probably shared them with neighbours or friends at some point of time. Have you asked the neighbours what it is? Once you have a local name it is generally easy to work back from there to a proper ID. __________________

30th August 2010, 10:16 PM	#5
Davo The Terrible Former Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Gold Coast QLD Posts: 121	Re: ID. this tree please The tree is Phytolacca dioica - they call it "Pakka Lakka" over here

30th August 2010, 10:47 PM	#6
jmcg.insight.gardens Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mannering Park, Australia Posts: 623	Re: ID. this tree please good call Davo Julie

31st August 2010, 01:20 AM	#7
Nymieince Sappling Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Spain Posts: 7	Re: ID. this tree please Thanks Davo and keep that axe away from my tree!! I looked on the web with Phytolacca Diocia [Dioicia] There are a few sites, the best had 12 pics and the flower, leaves and some close-ups could have been taken of our tree. Many thanks, we had a fantastic time in Queensland for 9 months in 2006 sailing. We are going to nickname our tree Pakka Lakka, Phytolacca Dioicia, seems a bit heavy! Cheers.

31st August 2010, 02:24 AM	#8
dov Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 651	Re: ID. this tree please Same genus as the North American Pokeweed! The fruit on it reminded me of the pokeweed ID we had a while ago, but I couldn't this tree. Guess I should have jumped on the books instead of the net for this one... Good call Davo. __________________

31st August 2010, 08:00 PM	#9
Davo The Terrible Former Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Gold Coast QLD Posts: 121	Re: ID. this tree please No worries - They're quite an interesting tree, often planted for shade for livestock as they grow to a huge size in hardly any time at all - They seem to grow particularly well in the deep volcanic red soils (ferrosols?) of the South Burnett region. Also a great climbing tree for kids!

2nd September 2010, 12:31 PM	#13
dcarter Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 78	Re: ID. this tree please What wood is not soft enough to cut with a knife? And we climb around in them all day. Just today I found myself using multiple branch segments, becuase I'm to old and fat for one limb that small to support my butt, to distribute my weight as I went to the edge to prune dead wood from a Drake Elm. Perhaps Ironwood, Leadwood, petrified wood, maybe some of the arid species of pine---pinion, etc. Anyhoo---strong fiber (often indicated by the faster growing tree species) usually creates some extremely flexible woody growth and is inherently strong fiber = some of the strongest in fact.

3rd September 2010, 12:39 AM	#15
Nymieince Sappling Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Spain Posts: 7	Re: ID. this tree please Hi, Good to read the chat! You talk about wood, it looks more like fibre and when dry has no strength. The newly cut piece in the pic is heavy and very woodlike but the dry piece, only pruned in March has completely dried out and could easily be grumpled in your hand. You talk of fast growing, in an earlier pic you will see how close the tree is to the house, do I have root concerns? Thanks guys. Attached Thumbnails

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