What tree is this?

Discussion in 'Trees' started by Markymark, Apr 21, 2014.

  1. Markymark

    Markymark Gardener

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    I bought this tree about 7 years ago. I can't remember what it is as I lost the label. I took a picture and sample back to the garden centre and was told that the base was a cherry....but the top was different (grafted on). Sadly, no one was able to give me a definite answer....
    Any ideas?
     

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  2. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    Well not 100% sure but to me it looks like a cherry with small single blossoms grafted onto another cherry rootstock to keep it small and bushy which is very common.. It could be one of the bird cherries perhaps.. This is from RHS
    Have you had any fruits on it at all.?
     
  3. Markymark

    Markymark Gardener

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  4. Sheal

    Sheal Total Gardener

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    Philadelphus perhaps? Are the flowers perfumed Markymark?
     
  5. Markymark

    Markymark Gardener

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    I'm not sure whether the flowers are perfumed now or not! I will go out before work and catch a smell...they are still on there now. I don't think so though...
    As for the requested leaf photo....here it is. The leaves are still quite small as they have only recently emerged.
     

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  6. Sheal

    Sheal Total Gardener

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    The leaves in these later pictures look like Escallonia. Do they have a citrus smell when you crush them?
     
  7. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    It does have a bit of a look of an Escallonia in the leaves I agree but can't imagine why it would be grafted to a cherry rootstock though... :scratch: Do the leaves change colour as the year progresses.? A puzzler for sure.. Do the leaves scrunch up an unfold like paper or do they split if you grab some and scrunch them in your hand or are they quite thick and you are sure no berries or anything towards autumn.? :scratch:
     
  8. pete

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

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    Looking at it, the whole tree that is, I have a sneaky suspicion its just all rootstock.
    The bundle of cut off twigs around the trunk where the branches form look like they were once the desired variety.

    Defo a prunus going by the bark though.
     
  9. Markymark

    Markymark Gardener

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    Suddenly I can't seem to remember what citrus smells like lol. When you say all rootstock, do you mean that the whole tree is actually the same at the bottom and top? Sorry am still learning...
    There are definitely no berries or fruit at the end of the year. The flowers are now disappearing ( no smell) and the leaves are still fairly new and so just open out again when you scrunch them.
    Anyone live near Liverpool? My garden is always open to visitors!!! When I do cut it, I would possible suggest that there is a citrus-like smell that comes from the leaves....
     

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  10. Markymark

    Markymark Gardener

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    Just googled escallonia... Don't think it is that
     
  11. pete

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

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    The leaves in your last two pictures look different to me.

    My thoughts were that the rootstock had just grown away taking over the tree, and yes the tree had reverted to only the one plant, if you like.
    I was just my thoughts looking at the vigour of the top branches, and that strange cluster of cut off shoots around the bump where the graft could possibly be.

    I find most crushed prunus leaves have a slight almond scent.
     
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    • Sheal

      Sheal Total Gardener

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    • Markymark

      Markymark Gardener

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      I can see the resemblance in the leaf shape but there looks too many flowers... There are only a four or five flowers at the ends of each 'stem'. I am going to have to try and get someone to come round and see it close up lol. I really appreciate all the suggestions so far; I am no expert myself so all of the suggestions so far could be correct.
      The flowers have pretty much disappeared now and you'd hardly know they were there...
       
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      • Sheal

        Sheal Total Gardener

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        The fact that the flowers are now dying off suggests that it is a cherry, but the leaves don't. :doh:I've been looking back at the pictures and the pattern on the trunk is definitely cherry. I presume it hasn't fruited since you've had it?
         
      • Markymark

        Markymark Gardener

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        I have never had any fruit at all. I went out today and looked at the flowers... It's almost like they have disappeared into nothing. I did sense a very lemony smell to the tree however, but then when I tried scrunching the leaves in other places, I couldn't get the smell back! Gonna take pic of the tree now....
         

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