Zone 5, in northwest Indiana. The tree is currently in flower (usually flowers in early to mid-April). Blossoms aren't overly fragrant.
Later in the season, small round 'fruits' appear from the spent flowers; green in color and usually 1/4 of an inch in diameter or less.
Out of curiosity I have cut one open and there are numerous small seeds.
The fruit changes to a dark reddish color in late summer/early fall. I believe the birds eat them as I never find them on the ground.
Leaves turn a pretty shade of red in the fall.
Bark on the main trunk is rough and non-papery.
The tree after an early snowfall:
In full bloom:
Flower buds formed, just beginning to blossom:
Last summer in full leaf, no flowers:
Close up of end of branch, with 'fruit':
'Fruit' last fall, not very many left on the tree:
These trees are everywhere around here, and seem to be common with local landscaping. Our neighborhood has them, the local shopping centers, etc. I haven't had the opportunity to ask the local nursery/gardening center if they know what they are.
EDIT TO ADD: arborday.org tells me that it is a flowering dogwood (cornus florida); even though it's the closest, I'm not entirely convinced.
http://www.arborday.org/trees/whattree/ ... temID=E19c
While I do appreciate the beauty of trees, I'm just not that well versed in identifying them.
Thank you in advance!
