Hello - help for a newbie?

Hi, everyone!

Recently moved house and we have a garden of our own for the first time. Looking forward to getting to grips with it.

One thing I'm not sure about - we've got this tree (pictured).

1) anyone recognise it?
2) it's been shedding brown leaves the last few weeks despite plenty of rain - should it be, or is there something we need to do for it?
3) should it have that bit growing out of the top of it, or is that something parasitic that we should remove?

As I say, very much a complete newbie (beyond mowing the lawn and watering my Nan's garden) so any help/advice all greatly appreciated - thanks in advance.

 

Its a variety of Cordyline australis.
Nice specimen actually, the the bit growing out the top is the flowering spike, you can cut that out if you want to.
They tend to shed lower leaves as they grow so if its only the lower leaves its nothing to worry about.

 

Hi there @PeteCrosby and a warm



You have a very healthy looking Cordyline imo too.

 

Wonderful, that's great to know.

And thanks so much for the help, everyone!

 

Welcome. I have a couple of shrubs that have shed all their leaves already due to the summer we had.