Crochet_Angel
Newly Registered
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:26 am
Location: Indiana

Need assistance identifying flowering tree please!

I have done a search of several 'tree identification' sites on the web, and have had no luck finding out what kind of tree we have in our yard. Each site tells me something different.

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:
[img]https://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm121/crochetangel90/Nature/CPIC570.jpg[/img]

In full bloom:
[img]https://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm121/crochetangel90/Nature/l_7c100ad38e22bfad145589f5eaa0db46.jpg[/img]

Flower buds formed, just beginning to blossom:
[img]https://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm121/crochetangel90/Nature/l_f4569bb1f5284705744c8e350a64be69.jpg[/img]

Last summer in full leaf, no flowers:
[img]https://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm121/crochetangel90/Nature/c24a1cc2.jpg[/img]

Close up of end of branch, with 'fruit':
[img]https://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm121/crochetangel90/Nature/3d837d7e.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm121/crochetangel90/Nature/e4e1a5fd.jpg[/img]

'Fruit' last fall, not very many left on the tree:
[img]https://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm121/crochetangel90/Nature/1b53a492.jpg[/img]

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.
https://www.arborday.org/trees/whattree/WhatTree.cfm?ItemID=E19c

While I do appreciate the beauty of trees, I'm just not that well versed in identifying them.
Thank you in advance! :D

The Helpful Gardener
Mod
Posts: 7491
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:17 pm
Location: Colchester, CT

That is a Bradford pear, the most overused tree in the US and quickly becoming [url=https://www.invasive.org/species/subject.cfm?sub=10957]an invasive in many parts of the country[/url].

[url=https://www.huntersville.org/interactive%20ordinance/IMAGES/serviceberry.jpg]Serviceberry[/url] would be a better choice; earlier bloom but good native forage plant for wildlife, so no invasive issue. [url=https://gerrystreenursery.com/pics/Radiant-Crabapple.jpg]Crabapple[/url] would be another good choice for much the same reasons, but a lot more choices with a later bloomtime...

Not a fan of the Bradfords. Invasive, weak crotches that break in ice storms, and too many already... but that's just my opinion...

HG

User avatar
!potatoes!
Greener Thumb
Posts: 1938
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 2:13 pm
Location: wnc - zones 6/7 line

you neglect to point out, scott, that serviceberries taste truly wonderful, too.

agree with the op, ain't no dogwood.

The Helpful Gardener
Mod
Posts: 7491
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:17 pm
Location: Colchester, CT

Thanks Tater; you are correct...

And I am 99% sure on the ID... it's pretty easy as it is the most overplanted tree in existence. Or close, anyway...

Don't understand why... :?

Especially when they are famous for doing do this...

[img]https://www.donnan.com/images/PearSplCB2.JPG[/img]

HG

Crochet_Angel
Newly Registered
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:26 am
Location: Indiana

Thank you so much for your response. :D
Now I can tell my husband what kind of tree it is; he's been bugging me about it!
I'm suprised at finding out the amount of trouble these trees can be. My husband has lived here at least 8 years. Our tree has survived several ice storms, incredibly heavy snow falls, high winds, and even a tornado with no major trouble. But now that we know of the potential, I will look into having the tree topped.
Thanks again!



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