Thanks, everyone for your insights. My friend is not a "plant" person and her photos are not detailed enough to make an id. I may have to visit the plant myself! I am unfamiliar with Betula lenta; the USDA distribution map indicates it is not generally found in the coastal Virginia Beach/ Chesapeake area. While the bark is certainly feasible, I'm having trouble accepting her photo of the leaf as B. lenta. To my eye, the leaf is more leathery and the veination seems off. This may just be the lousy photos, though. I can't ascertain any "fruit" in the photos either--wouldn't that be formed by now? This post was edited by seedmoney on Tue, Aug 27, 13 at 14:23

It doesn't often produce berries in Britain - our climate is too cold for it, and the flowers usually get killed by early winter frosts before they can develop fruit. They were produced successfully after the hot summer and mild autumn in 2006, though. Fruit production will be a lot more regular in California. Note that the berries (like ivy berries) are somewhat toxic, don't eat them. Resin

Ken, sorry to make it more difficult. After you replied, I remembered a thread I saw, so after 20 mins of searching I found your previous explanation of posting correctly. Hope I'm doing it the right way this time. End tree #1 End tree #2 Thanks again.

Triadica sebifera - Chinese tallow tree.