Does this picture go with this one?

Here is a link that might be useful: Other picture

Thanks for taking the time to help me out.
Here is a street view of the same plant.

Ilex cornuta Burfordii comes to my mind.

Thanks for your input carol23. The description of Ilex cornuta Burfordii certainly does fit except it seems to have a pretty distinctive leaf shape which I don't see on this shrub. Also, it doesn't have any berries which I think would be there in October. But thanks for your help.

'Also, it doesn't have any berries which I think would be there in October'

Hollies have separate male and female trees. If this one is male it will never have berries whatever the time of year.

It appears as though each leaf has a spine at the end. That is why I thought Burford holly.
Burford holly is the exception to the rule and is self fertile so perhaps your tree is another cornuta hybrid.

Here is a link that might be useful: self fertile Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii'

That's not an Ilex cornuta.

Are you in California?

Could it be California Laurel (Umbellularia californica)?

Carol23 - thanks, I didn't know that Burfords were self fertile. However, the link just says they don't need a male close by to pollinate them. But does that mean all Burfords are female and self fertile? Or does it mean that both male and female flowers are found on one tree?

Regarding the Umbellularia idea, the OP stated the leaves had no scent when crushed so that doesn't seem to fit either.

Carol23-
I found this image of Burford Holly -URL below -and it's actually much more attractive than what I've got. Shinier, shapelier leaves.
Thanks again, though.

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/treesandpowerlines/images/ilex_cornuta_burfordii_foliage_big.jpg

FloralUK- thanks for the info about the berries, I feel like I should have known that, lol!

Dave in Nova- Yes, I am in CA-maybe that info will prove helpful in solving this.

I clipped a sample of the leaves-determined they are alternate. Here is a pic-maybe it will help

Here is a single leaf

Prunus caroliniana?

I think that's it, even the leaf veins are right. Monrovia nursery continues to list a couple compact and/or erect forms that - since this operation supplies garden centers - your tree is probably one of, either 'Monus' or 'Compactus'.

BBoy-
Hmmm.. this is really tricky isn't it?! I suppose that could be it but I'm reading that Prunus Caroliniana has black berries in fall and white flowers in early spring but there is no sign yet of any fruit forming. Maybe I'm too hung up on this point, because as a previous responder said I could have a male plant (which would not fruit). Thank You for the suggestion- I'm not discounting it just yet.

Prunus don't have separate male and female plants like Hollies do.

But a tree may fail to flower or fruit for many reasons so, while flowers or fruit can aid id, lack of them is not a key to id.

Upright forms of Carolina laurel cherry look just like your tree. It will not be a kind that never flowers, the fact that you haven't seen any on this one does not cancel out its growth and vegetative characters.

This post was edited by bboy on Wed, Oct 15, 14 at 14:16

Prunus caroliniana leaves have a faint smell of marischino cherries when crushed.

I'm used to seeing these with just a few serrations on the leaves and the leaves appearing more glossy and darker green, but it may be because it's growing in a dryer region?

This post was edited by dave_in_nova on Thu, Oct 16, 14 at 10:18

Dave- Oh, hence the common name, Cherry Laurel! This leaf just smells green... like a leaf.

Bboy- I was so ready to conclude that it was most likely a stressed out, non-flowering Cherry Laurel.

Just thought of something- could it be that a plant that doesn't flower also doesn't produce the scent of flowers? I mean it kind of sounds sensical (my word, lol) but maybe it's non.
Thank You Guys

'Just thought of something- could it be that a plant that doesn't flower also doesn't produce the scent of flowers?'

Flowers may have a scent or not. Leaves may have a scent or not. Flowers and leaves on the same plant do not necessarily smell alike.

Since it is near a sidewalk, the previous owner may have used a product to deter fruit production.

Look inside the canopy for signs of pruning. Heavy or regular pruning can deter flower/fruit production.

That's certainly possible, Rugbyhukr

floraluk-
'Flowers may have a scent or not. Leaves may have a scent or not. Flowers and leaves on the same plant do not necessarily smell alike.'
So, I guess I can conclude it is not the Cherry Laurel because the leaves should have a scent regardless of whether it flowers?

I wouldn't rule out the possibility due to lack of scent.

The tree may be low in the compounds that provide the scent.

But it is also possible that it is not ID'd correctly. However, I still like Prunus caroliniana as a strong candidate.

Rugbyhukr- Thank you. I'm not quite ready to rule out Prunus Caroliniana, either. Think I'll take a sample and pics down to the local nursery and see what they think.

Laurus 'Saratoga' - Saratoga Bay Laurel

here is a link to the tree

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuqfBW8dd5Y&list=UUmuiGUY0MygCpmk5eurlN1g

Here is a link that might be useful: saratoga bay laurel

Amanders told us 'No scent from crushed leaves' so Laurus nobilis is very doubtful.

Thank you Needinfo001 for the suggestion and the link! The Bay Laurel in the video is about a half hour from me. I'm still not sure what I have but have discovered a great resource about what does well in my area.

A similar tree in your area is Prunus laurocerasus. But again is purported to have a cherry scent.

The red petioles would point to Prunus caroliniana between the 2 species.

Keep looking to see if you can confirm an ID.