What is this tree?

Hi

I have just moved and in the garden of the new house is this tree of an unknown variety.

I have thought about Rhododendrons and Cherry Laurels but I don't think it is any of those.

I would be so pleased if someone knew what it was so we could look after it in the best way.

I have attached some photos which hopefully help.

Thanks
Les

 

Hi Les,

Something about the look of the tree makes me think it's a Viburnum. I'm not sure, can't quite see as much detail as I want..but look up Sweet Viburnum, V. odoratissimum and see if that's it?

Whatever the tree is, it looks to be doing just fine as it is...you won't need to give it any special care at all. If it was my tree....I would definately remove the short branch which has been sawn off part way...back to the main stem it's coming from. Then you have an attractively shaped small tree.

 

...also! It might be a better idea to put this question on the Identification thread. There are some very gifted ppl on there...(Silver Surfer never seems to get these things wrong in my opinion!!)

 

Can you crush one of the berries and tell me how many seeds there are inside? if it's only got one it's mostly likely a Viburnum but I'm thinking Viburnum tinus ? anyone else want to chip and tell me what it actually is?

 

Hello Les and welcome to GC.

I too would say Viburnum tinus (Laurustinus) or it could be a V davidii. V tinus grows wild here and I have one but in all the years I've had it (8 or so) it cloaks itself with blooms in the winter but I have never had berries which would be blue-black. V davidii is an autumn bloomer I believe with dark blue berries. Both are shrubs not trees although they can be trained into small trees. I have mine trimmed conical and we put Christmas lights on it. It is perhaps 3-4 meters tall now.

 

Thanks so much for all the replies!

I looked in some detail at the suggestions and it does look very much like a Virburnum Tinus, the V. Davidii has different leaf veins. The flowers and berries also look very similar to pictures on the web.

That's fantastic, I'm so pleased. (I have also removed the short branch that "theruralgardener" suggested should go and it does look better.)

I like to look at it through half-closed eyes and I think I'm somewhere warm and mediterranean...

Thanks Again.

Les