Hello stanofh, Sorry for late reply...never got notice from email about follow up question. In past three years, coldest I can recall is maybe upper 30s/low 40s at nights during winter (but those are extreme cold spells that last for just few days...normally winter nights are upper 40's/low 50s). Strange thing is last year there was only one harvest of the hanging papayas in summer of around 12 fruits...it was surprise just to see fruit after nothing for 3 years. This year we were able to harvest around 20 fruits in spring and I thought that was it...butt now in fall there is another batch of 25+ fruits. Tree top is now probably reaching 12 foot tall, compared to last year when it was probably 7 or 8 foot tall. We don't use fertilizer or any plant food...the only difference in last year versus previous three years is actually less watering. Mother in law owns farm in thailand...she said to only water tree 2 or 3 times a week.

It doesn't resemble a crApe myrtle to me. I think it would be difficult to positively ID a tree without knowing where in the world it is, what the leaves look like, what the branching pattern is, etc. Any chance of getting decent pictures and letting us know where, in general, these trees are?

Thespesia populneoides is the same plant as Thespesia populnea, it was considered a separate species at one time but has been lumped into Thespesia populnea. Pacific Rosewood and Portia Tree are both common names. A plant could have dozens of common names. Thats why Latin names are used as the Latin name is the "official" name. There could be other plants called Pacific Rosewood so unless the Latin name is used it could be confusing as to what plant is being discussed.

@waynedanielson Over the past two years I have developed a tree identifying hobby. Using sibleys guide while living in our RV I identified over a hundred trees. Spotted this tree last year and every time I drive by I think man I still don’t know what this tree is. I emailed Sibley but no response. The tree naked looks like a larch or ginkgo but it obviously is neither when it’s leaves appear. There is no other question, only what is this tree? It isn’t my tree. I don’t know it’s history. It’s the only one like it on a busy street surrounded by other plane Jane trees in downtown Portland. It’s obviously not native. I asked the the question because I have a healthy level of curiosity and am frustrated by not being able to figure it out.