I have no idea what kind of tree. Using my cell phone right now...is that tree tied together with cables?

I can't help with the ID but the tree has a lot of character or wabi sabi, just had to say it. The wart looking things look like what some sycamores in town have when they are planted in those small curbside islands with not enough room for roots.

Toronado3800: Thanks for looking. Yes, there are multiple cables in the center of the tree (placed probably a long time ago) keeping the tree from essentially splitting in half. Seems stable, but I'm not sure if it's going to be a liability.

Poaky: Interesting. I had no idea that the warts might be from lack of space to grow. No roots are extruding from the ground (thankfully).

that is soooo cool ...

ants can be about aphids ... neutral to the tree ..

or ants can be invasive.. as in carpenter ants.. undermining the tree ...

first thing you need to do.. is have a LOCAL trained professional ID the ant issue ... or any other bug problem ...

and the cabling issue ...

a better picture of a leaf ... might help an ID here ... but i bet someone come along with an ID ...

you really have provided no facts as to why it needs to be removed .... what is the threat???? .. what is the basis of your paranoia ??? is it hanging over the house????

it might only last ... in its current state for another 50 years .... but that is why you need to get someone local ...

good luck

ken

Maybe White Mulberry Morus alba? A close-up of a shoot with buds and leaves would help.

Resin

Hard to say for sure with those fotos, but if you're in the Central Valley, parts of Inland Empire or warmer parts of Bay Area, might be a fruitless mulberry. Those bumps are likely from repeated pruning of suckers. If it is huge and casts very dense shade that may be it. Start saving your money to remove - the roots are extensive. Could be less common white mulberry too but better fotos needed.

Dan

Ken: You are right about the Ant issue. There don't seem to be any ants now due to the cold weather, but their return is probably inevitable. Currently, my main priority is to trim the tree. Removal doesn't seem like an economical option for me right now.

Q: "What is the threat????
Besides the possible ant issue, none until a professional tells me otherwise.

Q: "What is the basis of your paranoia ???
There really isn't any REAL paranoia that I'm dealing with right now. It's mostly an aesthetic thing for me.

Q: "Is it hanging over the house????"
Only one (smaller) section is hanging over the house. That is the part that needs to be removed first.

Pineresin:
I've attached the only pictures I took of it during the Summer when I visited the open house. These are all I have unfortunately. The second image shows the type of pods that it drops:

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Dan Staley:
The house is located in Van Nuys (in the heart of Valley in Los Angeles). It does cast very dense shade. The bumps are the most garish part of the tree but thanks for letting me know where they might have come from.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I have to say I think it is a glorious tree - whatever it is - with fantastic character. Without intending to be too rude, in my view it is by far the most interesting feature in any of the pictures and must be a good age. I would love to have a balcony at crown level with that tree. You must get birds right up close. Reminds me of a wonderful old elephant. I really think it would be a tragedy to remove such an old and quirky tree. If you really must destroy it a woodworker might be interested in the burr wood.

Almost looks like paper mulberry (Broussonettia papyrifera) leaves and spent flowers, but at least some of the foliage typically has deep lobes and I couldn't see any. Other than that, the normal bark and flowers match. I agree with flora that the burlwood might be magnificent.
hortster

most of us tree geeks think that is an incredible tree ... you confuse us when you say: The bumps are the most garish part of the tree ..

me thinks its not garish at all ...

though i do agree that i would get the part hanging over the veranda checked out ... they are a pretty sturdy tree though ...

BTW.. are those power lines i see in the last picture above???? .. perhaps that is where the problems started.. power co. pruning methods ...

pretty sure.. what you call pods.. is pollen sacs ... it would be much cheaper to sweep them up for a week or two in spring.. then destroy the tree because of them ....

invest in a structural analysis ... and let us know ...

ken

First off, thanks for all the information and advice everyone. I didn't expect so many responses so quickly.

Flora:
You're absolutely right. Beauty is subjective. Personally my taste is more minimal and I'm a big fan of "Southwest" style landscaping. That is one of the main reasons I saw this tree as an "obstacle" rather than a useful element.

I'm renovating the house right now and to tell you the truth, landscaping of any sort is the last thing on my list of priorities. Maybe I'll grow to appreciate the tree, maybe I won't, but I definitely won't make a rash decision and have someone get gung-ho with a chainsaw and a crane.

Horster:
Thanks for lending your expertise. The general consensus seems to be a type of Mulberry.

Ken:
I think my comment on the bumps comes from my lack of knowledge about trees in general which is why I posted here in the first place :) I needed some real opinions about what I have and its value in landscaping.

Yes, they are power lines. It's not uncommon to have a power "post" in your backyard in some of these older Los Angeles neighborhoods. Bad City planning at its finest.

Again my tree ignorance shines....pollen sacs it is :) I don't plan on destroying the tree anytime soon.

You mentioned a structural analysis...Are you referring to the tree or the tree in relation to the house?

you need the opinion of a certified arborist as to whether the tree poses any risk to the house and balcony .. a good couple hundred buck investment ... IMHO ...

as to the electric .. you want house.. need electric.. bingo presto ...

more like a tree planting issue in my world.... obviously made many moon ago ...

but you didnt answer... was the tree butchered by the power company .... and that will tell you part of how healthy the tree is. ...

as to the # of replies.. its misery up here in MI ... what else do i have to do .. lol ..

good luck

ken

As close as the tree is to the house and because it has the cables, I would have an ISA certified (verify this) arborist come out and take a look. Like Ken said, it may only last another 50 years the way it is (but it could also come down on top of your house in the next windstorm). I would ignore the ants unless you have some indication that they are bothering your tree or are invading your home. Nothing you've said makes me think that there is anything wrong or dangerous about the tree, but it's better to get a real-life analysis than to have a tree come through the roof in a storm.

I agree with Flora_uk and think it's an awesome looking tree with lots of character.

If you dont want to aide rats, snakes, spiders, raccoons & so on from in getting into your home, you would want to prune the tree so that it does not closely overhang the house.

I don't know what type of tree it is but I'm in the "uniquely gorgeous" opinion camp.

And it provides such marvelous shade.

Very cool tree. Get someone over to give expert advice.

If vermin are abundant there and inclined to crawl or wriggle in the door they don't need the help of a tree to do it. Specimen is already severely whacked, almost a pollard. Thinning of branches might be in order at some point. Otherwise, topping has probably caused the trunk decay issues that appear to be visible. Additional butchery would hardly be helpful to this.

Paper Mulberry Broussonettia papyrifera

Resin

I didn't mean to suggest any butchery, bboy.
Just from the photos, I can see some avenues rodents could exploit to gain entry through places the owner may not be able to monitor very closely. Nice toasty attic there with lots of yummy wires to chew.