Bark like a cherry sounds like a cherry. You are talking about horizontal bands?

Yes, that and the upright spreading branches. But im sure it is a crabapple.

The buds were a red color as they were swelling.

Just knock on the door or wait till you see them outside, and ask them. Chances are they probably don't even know, haha

Jondo, it is no longer in bloom. It was a while ago, but i was fascinated with it.

It has the same shape as the yoshino cherry next door to me, and i thought that what it was when i would drive by it in the winter time. Until i saw the buds starting to swell and i noticed they were a very pretty reddish color. Im sure its a crabapple. I just need to go and ask them what variety.....

Oh that makes sense! Good luck on the ID =)

I stop at homes ALL THE TIME to inquire about plants, trees. Some folks will think you're weird, but some are excited to tell you about their tree/plant... but as previously stated, they may not have a clue...

go ahead and knock at the door, if the guy who answers has green skin and bolts coming out of his neck turn and run ☺

I've always been one to stop and knock on the door, too. It's better if you can catch them outside, though....seems less awkward and obtrusive, perhaps.

I stopped the car to talk with someone just last weekend.....he had the most beautiful iris and I just had to know what they were! I got to look around the rest of his yard, meet his ancient dog, and I invited him to our yard when our tall daylilies are blooming.

The iris is First Stitch, by the way. A real stunner, I thought.

Here's a story for you.....a couple of years ago I watched a woman drive up to the house, jump out, run up to some shrub roses planted in the front, cut a big fistful, and head back to her fancy car!

I made a beeline out the front door, and just told her, "Shame on you. Shame on you." Real clever of me, I know, lol. She threw the flowers down and stalked off like I was the criminal.

Don't be nervous! They're probably be glad to tell you, if they know. I'm always happy to talk about gardening with my neighbors.

Rhizo, that's terrible! I would have flipped out if someone came onto my property and tried to steal anything from it. Especially my plants! You should have whipped out your cell phone, snapped a picture and put it on social media. That would have "shamed' them, like you said you wanted.

OP, I would absolutely squee if somebody stopped at my house and asked about anything I've planted.

A delivery guy who brought us some drywall last week commented that he really liked the teal color of our living room, and that he liked everything we've done with the house since he last saw it a few years ago.. I love those sorts of compliments. It always feels good when someone tells you they like something you've done. It especially felt good because I had personally picked out the Maxi Teal, and had campaigned for it to dh for weeks. He thought it was going to be too dark. So it's always funny when someone compliments the color. lol I always look over at him and lightly smirk.

i got most of my diverse lilacs ... by knocking on doors and asking for a sucker ...

go for it ..

ken

You should have whipped out your cell phone, snapped a picture and put
it on social media. That would have "shamed' them, like you said you
wanted.

There's a lot of this kind of thing going on but I wonder what the legalities involved are. For example I've been telling people about this baiter (Dr. Phil term) that talked me out of way too much money (I must have been depressed) a few years ago - until a friend said the offending party could sue me if he found out ("even though it's true").

Oh, beLEEVE me, I didn't have any time to grab my cell phone or I would have been all over her. But, I was perfectly satisfied that she was mortified to have been caught red handed. Her embarrassment was all I needed.

Forget the picture...I want a video of Rhizo screaming and running toward the perp, and of the perp running for her life. LOL

They did not know what variety it was. DANG!

Next time ask them for a flowering sprig and look for matches at nurseries or public collections - anywhere there are labeled plantings that might include this same tree. Or take good pictures and use those to compare.

Lol...no screaming. I have a steely stare and a quiet voice filled with venom that I save for special occasions.