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Name That Plant!

Mystery Tree

8 years ago

I know the leaves are not out yet so this might be difficult. This is at my new house in Clark County, Washington. The neighbor says that the leaves in the first photo come from seeds dropped from the tree. They are popping up all around. I want to replace it but want to make sure it is a nuisance tree first.

Featured Answer

ourhighlandhome

8 years ago

"Psychological effects" and "commonality of perception"? My god...the topic was whether the "arum-seed-dispersing lilac" was a nuisance tree. If the uniqueness of its growth fits your definition of a nuisance, by all means hack it down. The shrub doesn't need to be vetted, nor the situation psychoanalyzed.

If you do decide to replace the shrub, do so with an evergreen that blends well with those already growing along the property line. And keep in mind that while magnolias can grow tall, they rarely grow narrow (depending on your definition of "narrow").

At the very least you could take floral_uk's advice and at least let it leaf out and flower. You may decide to leave it be, and choose another option for privacy in that area. End of rant... ;-D

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Comments (11)

alisonoz_gw
8 years ago
I don't know what your tree is but I think your little plants are arum. - not tree seedlings, anyway.
passionvine thanked alisonoz_gw
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
8 years ago
Top plant I'd say is Arum italicum. The small tree is a Lilac.

The seeds around the Arum are not from the Lilac. They could be Ash keys or something else - there isn't enough detail for me to say exactly. Such seeds can travel a good distance from the parent since they are wind borne. So the source is not necessarily in your garden.
passionvine thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
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passionvine
Original Author
8 years ago
I thought that was arum! Well, I am saddened that it is a lilac!
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
8 years ago
Why are you saddened to have a lilac?
passionvine
Original Author
8 years ago
Because I want to cut it down and put an evergreen there. It is funny that lilacs are one of the plants I wanted to grow here since they did not perform well in the South, where I formally lived. I had planned to put a lilac in a different location so I will probably go ahead and do that.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
8 years ago
Oh, please at least wait until you've seen it in bloom and leaf. It might win you over. It would take a good while for a baby to grow into such a mature specimen.
passionvine thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
Embothrium
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
The way it is exploding out of that corner is not attractive - it is too close to the fence. And you can see right through it during the winter - I would want to have an evergreen shrub in that spot also.

Local garden centers have plenty of lilacs each spring, if you must give space to one of these single season shrubs you won't have any trouble finding a replacement.

And if you like lilacs you should definitely check this place out. Well worth a visit anyway, it's even in or near Clark County.

http://www.lilacgardens.com/
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
8 years ago
'Is not attractive...' is a value judgement.

I am sure the OP will do whatever appeals to her.
Embothrium
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Crooked branches bursting out from against fence and pushing into adjacent space produces a visual impression that goes beyond personal taste. Plants are design elements that produce commonly shared psychological effects, same as furnishings, decorations, "hard-scape" features like walks and patios etc. etc. This commonality of perception is what makes it possible for individual schemes or experiences to be described as being exciting or calming, and so on.
passionvine
Original Author
8 years ago
It is growing erratically and in all directions. It also does not look healthy. This is at the very end a long line of evergreens along the property line so we would like a tall, narrow evergreen to extend the privacy. I am leaning toward a magnolia.

I did purchase a lilac today - "Sensation" - and got it planted before the rain started.

Oh, I am male by the way! :)

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