Tree Identification Required

kevster

Hi,

I got this tree in the backyard. Sorry, unclear photo, would some be able to identify what type of tree it is.

The location is in Padstow, Sydney, Australia.

Thanks alot,
Kev

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Darrell Mcleod

Is it a Privet?

jmcg.insight.gardens

my guess is Pyrus calleryana or similar, the photos are not very crisp on the leaves. Bit blurred.

Some good clear shots of the leaves and tip bud would help. Any fruit?

Julie

Chimera

It could be some type of lilac (Syringa), judging by the leaf shape.

Although I see what might be the standard grey-brown fruit of a Pyrus near the top of the screen directly above the left trunk.

Done it

Looks like a Cheese tree to me. Glochidion ferdinandi.

If the leaf looks like this, it is. Glochidion ferdinandi (EUPHORBIACEAE); Cheese tree

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Bowani Siam

Not a Glochidion. (One of my favourite trees.) Foliage is much more dense and leaves smaller. Fruit axillary. Suckering habit.

Bark, leaf arrangement and apparent fruit are lookin' good for Pyrus calleryana. Plus there are lots of these around Sydney about that size.

Close ups would be good, but I reckon it's a winner!

Done it

I should have had a better look before I posted, I forgot I've got a zoom thing.

There was one where I was today and I saw this thread last night and thought that's it.



While we are here what do you reckon this is. [Not a direct question, but to anyone]

I can't remember ever seeing one before, at least not in flower. I had to remove it a while back. New owners, wrong spot and the flowers stink.

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jmcg.insight.gardens

maybe Ehretia acuminata var acuminata, Kodo wood.

Haven't seen this either, will continue to look, photo in the book looks just like it, but did'nt find many good flower photos on the net with a quick look.

Most Boriganaceae species have an odd smell. Might fit it is an Aussie species.

See what you think.

jmcg.insight.gardens

are those leaves alternate or opposite?

Just thinking stinky flowers sounds like Ligustrum, could be Ligustrum lucidum, Large Leafed or Glossy Privet, have'nt seen it around here yet thankfully. It would fit those lenticels I think I see.

Done it

Not a privet, they have a sickly type of smell. This was a stink, hard to explain. That's the main reason they wanted it gone.

I tried for ages and couldn't find anything.


Smooth bark, sort of light grey. Creamy/white wood, harder than privet.

Don't worry too much, I've given up.

Bowani Siam

It looks a lot like a Photinia species. Possibly P. serrulata/serratifolia. The ball-like buds, prominent stamens, terminal panicles, leaf shape and arrangement etc.. they are not the most widely planted anymore as dwarf and more colourful cvs have taken over. I dislike them immensely as they make me sneeze. They have a reputation for smelling like sperm. (who thought of that?!)

It is in the Rosaceae family thus explaining the hard wood. We took a whopper out a little while back and I was surprised how hard it was.

There are s**tloads of these around in Sydney. S**TLOADS!!!!

jmcg.insight.gardens

Yeah, I think Very Sarcastic might be on to it there, flowers in Photinia are usually more creamy looking but photos are deceptive, but the bark description fits, Photinia bark is an unusual greyish when they get large. Leaves fit.

Branches in pic show bark fits with Rosaceae family, leaf arrangement is same, now I've put my reading glasses on .

Lots of Photinia species get big, left to grow.

Lots of different species.

Everything fits.

I reckon at mo Photinia looks like the winner.

Must go smell a flower next time I see one on a photinia, never done that. Usually to busy cutting them back.

Jeff Darby

Photinia was the first thing to come to my mind, I removed one today that was in its last throws of life.

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Bowani Siam

one more thing - my aunt was playing violin at a wedding on a 40C+ day in Victoria and the only shade was a Photinia hedge in full bloom. hahahaha the sneezes lasted all through the vows...

"do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"Aaa-choo!"

Wacko

Do you have alot of fly's hanging around? Tp mu knowledge Photinia's are pollinated by flys thus the terrible floral "stench"

Done it

I didn't mean to highjack this thread, sorry kevster.

I guess it looks like a Photinia in that picture, but I don't think so. Unless it's a type I've never seen, but I have seen plenty and the smell doesn't bother me.

Those old ones sure are hard, I usually keep them for firewood. I didn't keep this.

The bark was similar to a Camelia. No flies but the flowers smelt like s***.

That wall is a new second story extension the new owners put on, it's about a 60's house and the previous owner had a lot of odd things in the garden. Not much left now.

I only took three pictures. Thanks for the replys.

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Bowani Siam

hmmmm, that long shot changes everything.. Now I think it looks more like this - Scolopia braunii However I cannot say for sure....

Scolopia braunii | Flintwood, Mountain Cherry, Brown Birch information & photos


Pity the tree's gone really, never get a good close up of the flowers! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! This is exactly the reason why I press herbarium specimens of plants I don't know and am planning to remove - that and I am a mega nerd.

Done it

That'll do me, thanks.

Sorry remembered the bark a bit wrong, funny thing about the flowers though, they did stink.

Brent Ferris

Both the flowers and foliage look a lot like privet. The flowers are highly scented - and some people like it. (tho not me)

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pownursery

could be a flowering pear,white flowers in spring,orange red fall color,and not much fruit,some of the grafted varietys can snap off at the graft.

jmcg.insight.gardens

Walking out of Banksia building at Ryde College the other day and phew, smelt like a mix of stinky privet and fly spray, so I had a look and it was Xylosma japonica syn congestum.

Never seen one flower before, they are usually hedged.

Not sure that is it but sure did smell. Looks the same but the flowers have a green tinge. Bark greyish smooth. Reminded me of your post. Would hate to have one of those by my window. Pong!

Wood hardness is supposed to be 8