What's this small tree and will it stay compact?

Discussion in 'Trees' started by ashirus, Jun 21, 2018.

  1. ashirus

    ashirus Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2018
    Messages:
    7
    Ratings:
    +8
    We're redoing front garden (patio, grass and flowerbed) and we're not sure whether to keep this tree.

    Is this a tree or a bush?

    What is it called?

    Will it keep it's current size (especially height) over the next 50 years or will it grow to a full-sized tree?

    We're planning to build a walled flowerbed at the front of our front garden and this tree will be within one end of the walled-in/raised flowerbed. Will it grow and break the wall or will it stay nice and compact and the wall will remain unaffected by having this tree (bush?) inside?

    Lastly, ws it easy to maintain?

    here's photos:

    [​IMG]

    And a close-up:
    [​IMG]

    thanks,
    Ash
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Gail_68

      Gail_68 Guest

      Ratings:
      +0
      Hello @ashirus :sign0016: to GC and nice to have you with us...you'll find it a very friendly forum :)

      I'm not much good on ID'ing plants or trees but i'll call in members who are to help you out as it looks healthy enough.

      @Silver surfer / @pete and @martin-f can you help ID this tree please.

      Ash as soon as they come on line they'll come on your link :thumbsup:
       
    • Gail_68

      Gail_68 Guest

      Ratings:
      +0
      Hi @JWK can you help identify this tree mate :)
       
      • Friendly Friendly x 1
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jun 3, 2008
        Messages:
        30,680
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Surrey
        Ratings:
        +45,627
        Welcome to the forum ashirus.

        It looks like a Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) to me, they are often seen as a hedge but can grow into a sizeable tree like you have. Yes it will grow bigger over time.
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • ashirus

          ashirus Apprentice Gardener

          Joined:
          Jun 21, 2018
          Messages:
          7
          Ratings:
          +8
          Thanks so much. Been Googling Cherry Laurel and seen pics of it as full size tree, or a row of neat little ones like ours.

          Will it grow broader and taller over time no matter what we do?

          And more importantly, can we easily keep it in check so it will remain the current size forever?

          We're planning to enclose it within a walled flowerbed so (a) we don't want its roots to break the wall eventually and (b) Could it end up a full sized tree that will be a subsidence issue?

          thanks,
          Ash
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

            Joined:
            Jun 3, 2008
            Messages:
            30,680
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Surrey
            Ratings:
            +45,627
            Lets wait till some other members agree with me, I'm quite often wrong on plant IDs!
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • ashirus

              ashirus Apprentice Gardener

              Joined:
              Jun 21, 2018
              Messages:
              7
              Ratings:
              +8
              Oh ok! The tree and thus its leaves look larger than they are due to the camera angle. Should mention the leaves are quite small especially in comparison with normal Laurel.
               
              • Informative Informative x 1
              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                Joined:
                Jan 9, 2005
                Messages:
                47,702
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Retired
                Location:
                Mid Kent
                Ratings:
                +84,330
                I was going to say Arbutus.:smile:
                 
                • Informative Informative x 1
                • CarolineL

                  CarolineL Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jun 12, 2016
                  Messages:
                  1,597
                  Gender:
                  Female
                  Occupation:
                  Retired Software engineer
                  Location:
                  Rural Carmarthenshire
                  Ratings:
                  +4,304
                  @pete wouldn't an arbutus have a nicer trunk with peeling or reddish bark? I was wondering about euonymous from the leaves but it looks too tall for that
                   
                  • Like Like x 2
                  • Gail_68

                    Gail_68 Guest

                    Ratings:
                    +0
                    Well this pic shows the leaves of a Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) what @JWK mentioned and they do look a like and :thankyou: @JWK and @pete for viewing :dbgrtmb:

                    [​IMG]

                     
                    • Friendly Friendly x 1
                    • pete

                      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                      Joined:
                      Jan 9, 2005
                      Messages:
                      47,702
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Occupation:
                      Retired
                      Location:
                      Mid Kent
                      Ratings:
                      +84,330
                      Well, I have Arbutus unedo, and this is the bark.
                      I think it is other species or hybrids that have the peeling bark.
                      Sorry the pics are a bit dark, but the tree is pretty dense.

                      I do see where you are coming from with Euonymus
                      DSC_0230.JPG DSC_0231.JPG
                       
                      • Like Like x 2
                      • wiseowl

                        wiseowl FRIENDLY ADMIN Staff Member

                        Joined:
                        Oct 29, 2006
                        Messages:
                        44,112
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Occupation:
                        Philosophy of people
                        Location:
                        In a barn somewhere in North Kent
                        Ratings:
                        +89,274
                        Good evening @pete I took the liberty to lighten your images up a little hope that was alright my friend:smile:

                        DSC_0231.JPG DSC_0230.JPG
                         
                        • Like Like x 3
                        • ashirus

                          ashirus Apprentice Gardener

                          Joined:
                          Jun 21, 2018
                          Messages:
                          7
                          Ratings:
                          +8
                          OP here. Here's two new images of this actual tree/bush that I hope will help clear things up.

                          The while thing is only about 2.8m high including foliage.

                          [​IMG]

                          [​IMG]
                           
                          • Like Like x 2
                          • Redwing

                            Redwing Wild Gardener

                            Joined:
                            Mar 22, 2009
                            Messages:
                            1,589
                            Gender:
                            Female
                            Location:
                            Sussex
                            Ratings:
                            +2,830
                            I don’t think it’s a cherry laurel but I don’t know what it is. Looks like some flower buds are coming which when opened will make it easier to ID.
                             
                            • Like Like x 1
                            • ashirus

                              ashirus Apprentice Gardener

                              Joined:
                              Jun 21, 2018
                              Messages:
                              7
                              Ratings:
                              +8
                              Problem is, we're redoing the whole front garden right now, with patio people starting to build the wall really soon so I need to device whatwhe to keep this or not!
                               
                              • Friendly Friendly x 1
                                Last edited: Jun 24, 2018
                              Loading...

                              Share This Page

                              1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                                By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                                Dismiss Notice