skip to main content

Fruit & Orchards

Need I.D. Help on Tree

10 years ago

Hi, there's an unusual fruiting bush/tree that a neighbor had in a backyard I recently visited during a housewarming party. They don't know what it is and I don't either. ;-) If anyone knows it will be one of you, I'll give you all the info I observed plus what the previous resident told them.

The weather here is hot and dry all summer, cold and wet (but no snow) in winter if that helps you. OK, it's about 10ft. tall and covered with green narrow downcurving leaves similar to a peach or nectarine tree. The weird thing is the leaves don't last very long at all, at this point the tree only has yellowing leaves on the last 6 inches of each branch tip. All the rest are brown and dried ready to fall. This has nothing to do with the heatwave they told me, it always drops its leaves this early each year. If it wasn't for the growing fruit you'd think it was dead.

On a few random branch tips a brown leafless stem about 6 in. long sticks straight up. At the end of this stem is a cluster of green fruits. I only counted maybe 4-6 per cluster but I'm not sure. They will grow into medium sized green "flattened egg-shaped" fruits but they don't remember anything else they were told about them. I'm probably more curious about it than they are, LOL, but I gotta know, all info is appreciated, thanks!.

Comments (5)

xeno
10 years ago
you wouldn't happen to have a picture, would you?
dmtaylor
10 years ago
Sounds maybe like cherry. Is the bark a shiny reddish-brown with little white stripes? My tree lost its leaves pretty early last year, I think in August. I think this is because the fruiting cycle ends for cherries in July, or earlier if you have hot weather like in California.
Related Discussions
Help, I'd like to grow a few fruit (apple +) trees in zone 5 Ohio
Q
Comments (3)
If you've never grown fruit trees before then starting out small is the way to go. When I started I went with 4 apple and two pears. I learned about growing fruit by attending classes put on by the local university extension office. I've grafted a lot of my own trees from these classes. I have learned a lot from Tony Dembski at Maple Valley Orchards in Gillett WI put a lot of the classes on. Check your local county or university extn. I attached a link if you want to see if Tony has any trees left to sell this year. Here is a link that might be useful: apple trees
...See More
Tree I.D. needed
Q
Comments (15)
Salicaceae, I'm gonna stay out of the overall conversation on this, but just wanted to comment on your post above. Natives vs. non-natives is an entirely different subject than invasives vs. non-invasives! Maybe you know this and your comment above just came across wrong, but, if not, you might want to take another look at what these things really mean. You are correct that one more individual invasive plant probably won't make a huge difference, in the grade scheme of things, if introduced into an area already heavily populated with that species. However, that doesn't make it any more ethical. It's like throwing garbage out of your car window while driving down an already heavily littered highway (except maybe a little worse, since this type of litter multiplies). It may not make a noticeable difference, but that doesn't mean it's a responsible or an ethical thing to do. Introducing non-native non-invasives is cool; it makes gardening more interesting. But, I can't think of any good reason to introduce invasive plants; there's too many awesome well behaved choice available.
...See More
Need help I'd this tree .....
Q
Comments (1)
Tilia, linden. If it's native it would be Tilia americana.
...See More
Pretty Trees Need I.D.
Q
Comments (3)
It looks like a plumb tree to me, prunus sp.
...See More
Bradybb WA-Zone8
10 years ago
I'm thinking maybe Persimmon or something in the Annonaceae family,but it's totally guessing.
Yes,a picture will most likely be helpful. Brady
floramakros
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi, it's not a cherry, the growing green fruits are already larger than any cherry I've seen. Also cherries don't all grow together at the tip of a single upright stem, cherries have individual hanging stems. This looks like some exotic that grows in very dry natural conditions, possibly a fig, does this description resemble any fig species? All the local cherries, nectarines and peaches stil have branches full of dark green leaves that will be around for months to come, this tree always loses its leaves by the end of June. It might not be a commonly grown fruit tree even for this area which seems to have every citrus and other fruit tree species that could possibly survive in this climate (which is a lot as long as you water them). Everyone please read my detailed opening description and think about possible exotics, one more thing, the person remembers being told when the fruit is ripe it turns brownish and they look like a bunch of flattened potatoes stuck to a stick! This has to ring a bell with somebody, it's just too unusual not to be readily recognizable. If you have any questions I'll try my best to help, guessing is free, at least if you give me species to look up I'll instantly be able to tell if it's the same tree. Thanks.
dmtaylor
10 years ago
Pawpaw?

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

WINTER GARDENING How to Help Your Trees Weather a Storm

By Paintbox Garden

Seeing trees safely through winter storms means choosing the right species, siting them carefully and paying attention during the tempests

Ideabook 911: I Need Help Staging for Resale

By Becky Harris

EXTERIORS Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors

LIGHTING Help! I Need a Light!

ENTRYWAYS Help! What Color Should I Paint My Front Door?

By Jennifer Ott Design

We come to the rescue of three Houzzers, offering color palette options for the front door, trim and siding

PAINTING Help! I Spilled Paint on My Clothes — Now What?

By Jennifer Ott Design

If you’ve spattered paint on your favorite jeans, here’s what to do next

LIFE Decluttering — How to Get the Help You Need

By Alison Hodgson

Don't worry if you can't shed stuff and organize alone; help is at your disposal

PETS How to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor

By Alison Hodgson

Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time

HOUSEKEEPING When You Need Real Housekeeping Help

By Becky Harris

Which is scarier, Lifetime's 'Devious Maids' show or that area behind the toilet? If the toilet wins, you'll need these tips

Ideabook 911: Help Me Finish My Foyer

By Becky Harris

Sponsored

More Discussions

severe Pruning of a young fig tree

7

Peach variety recommendations, please

2

best cantaloupe for this area?

0

Advice on planting blueberry plant

9

Peach tree dead buds

2