Identify a tree

[jenza]

hi, my local gardening centre was stymied by my tree - can you help identify it? It's about 10 ft tall, no berries or flowers or tassles, it has serrated leaves - I have two pics at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/10177726@N03/
Jen

[Jess]

Hi jenza

It looks like it might be an evergreen Quercus (oak.) I don't know which one though as there are several. Have you noticed any acorns at all?

[jenza]

Hi Jess,
Thanks for your response - no, no acorns. From another source - they think it's a Curtisia dentata - a tree native to Southern Africa, called colloquially an Assegai tree, as local lore has it it was used to make assegais!
Jen

[wingdesigner]

The leaves and white stems look suspiciously like the tall form of Oregon grape holly. It will have yellow flowers and blue berries, and the leaves are very prickly. I don't know if the male plants do the flowers/berries thing. I have the dwarf version and it does. Sound familiar? Am I close?
Happy gardening
Wingdesigner

[jenza]

I've only lived with the tree for 3 months, but it hasn't had any flowers or berries as of yet... I've had a look at photos of the Oregon grape holly, and it looks like it's more shrub-like and smaller than my tree... but you're right, the leaves do look very similar, Jen