Hi! I'm new here, I've just recently started teaching myself to identify the local trees and flowers and whatnot. I've been doing all right on my own so far with books and google, but this one's stumped me. You would think googling 'smooth black bark' alone would be a good start, but it's giving me absolutely nothing useful. Help? Characteristics: - smooth black bark, no prominent lenticels - leaves are: * broad * oval (widest in the middle) * glossy * persistent * simple * alternate * smooth-edged * same colour top and bottom - grows more horizontally than vertically (about 25' tall, 35' wide) - multiple trunks from same base - no flowers or fruits visible at this time of year - only tree of its type I've seen in the city thus far, almost certainly not a native species Please forgive me if I'm using any terminology wrong; like I said, rank beginner over here. Anyone have any ideas? It's driving me nuts.
Welcome to UBC forums!. Please can you add more pics to show clearly the leaves and also a close up of the bark. A pic is better than a thousand words. I believe you tree is Zelkova serrata. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zelkova_serrata Just a few problems! It has serrate leaves. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=z...&sa=X&ei=nMsTVa7cJo7WaovBgYgF&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ The bark is covered in tiny lenticels...which I believe I can see in your pic...or maybe I need better glasses! http://chalk.richmond.edu/biology/trees/images/Zelkova_serrata_bark.jpg
Thank you so much for your response! The tree in the google search doesn't look quite right, but it's a start! I'll stop by the park where I found it on my way home and get some better shots. I didn't take any detail shots because I didn't think it would be hard to identify just from what I knew about it. How wrong I was. >_<
Reminds me of an old cherry laurel, Prunus laurocerasus. Trunks are dark when wet. It will be interesting to see more photos. Not that many evergreen trees around here that look like that.
Eric you will be right. I got fixed on bark...but if leaves glossy/evergreen then Prunus laurocerasus would fit MUCH better. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=p...&sa=X&ei=jUgUVb_1FMeyUc2fgqAP&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ
Foliage shown in OP doesn't look right, including twigs appearing very slender. Also English laurel is in bloom down here.
Sorry for the delay! I went and took a few more after work today, and found something very helpful: there are flowers now! I missed the green racemes in the rain and gloaming when I was there last but they're starting to open up now and stand out a lot more. Prunus laurocerasus looks exactly right, I'm pretty sure you've hit the nail on the head. Here are a few more pictures anyway, just for interest's sake (and for any future searchers trying to identify the same tree). I see the bush-sized ones around all over the place, but had no idea they could grow this large. http://s90.photobucket.com/user/Empatheia/media/DSC02152_zpsujxuw6b7.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1 - View of full tree from about forty feet feet away. http://s90.photobucket.com/user/Empatheia/media/DSC02156_zpsfl3natnx.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0 - The bark when dry, which is not black like I thought but still very dark. http://s90.photobucket.com/user/Empatheia/media/DSC02151_zpsyeuazrkw.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2 - Closeup of a raceme and some foliage. Thank you so much for all your help, I look forward to learning and participating more in the future!
Here's one more showing the trunks. I'm gathering that this might be a bit unusual; the other trees in google search grow more vertically and have single trunks for the most part. Maybe this started out as a number of bushes planted close together? http://s90.photobucket.com/user/Empatheia/media/DSC02155_zpswebmexsg.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1
Yes Prunus laurocerasus and P. lusitanica are such common shrubs, but they can become really large trees. Most people around here do not think of them as trees. I have to say Chancelrie, since you sent us to your photo stream, that is a great leaf hat. I have always been fond of using natural decorations for costume and art. We are looking to do more of that here at the garden.
Haha, thank you very much! I've done the same costume twice since then and have gotten better at it. Maple leaves really lend themselves well to the endeavour.
