What is this amazing tree?

We went for a visit to Quex House in Kent recently, and I was quite astonished to see this stunning, contorted tree:



Closeup...



Does anyone know what it is?

 

Hi Tiarella, you can get a hazel tree that contorts like this naturally but I'm not sure if this is one. Could it have been trained to grow like this? I only say this because the twigs are growing straight. What does every one else think?

 

Hard to tell without the leaves, but it looks too big for a hazel... could it be a willow -Salix contorta? A pretty old specimen.... yeah, like me, I know!!!

 

Bit hard to tell without a leaf to look at. It does look more like Salix than a Hazel though.

 

This looks as if it may be a weeping ash, although as Palustris says it's hard without leaf or twig. The weeping version of the ash tree seems to grow naturally into peculiar contortions, it's one of my favourite trees.

 

http://www.gencem.org/ed_resources/pictures/flora_2/weeping-ash.jpg
About the best picture I could find for comparison...

 

Hmmmmmmmm, I'll have to go back for another visit when it's in leaf. I'm inclined towards Corylus Contorta myself (weeping type!)

Thanks, folks.

 

Its just a wild guess but I have seen pics of old specimens of Sophora Japonica, that look very similar. There is one at Kew that is growing sideways and needs support.

 

Here's a pic of that tree at Kew, Pete

http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/plants/trees/images/tree_pagoda_274x183.jpg

Incredible! But not nearly as contorted as Tiarella's pic, IMHO.

I'm inclined to agree that the contorted willow is likeliest, with the hazel as runner-up!

 

Could it be a Camperdown Elm ( Ulmus glabra Camperdownii)?

 

I have a contorted hazel and a twisted willow, both are in full leaf, and have been for some time. How recent was your visit?
The elm certainly looks the right shape- but it is said to be susceptible to Dutch Elm.

[ 26. April 2007, 10:37 AM: Message edited by: Liz ]

 

The visit was on 1st April, hence no leaves. I will simply have to go back to see.......