peas planted!

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

mystery tree

mystery tree IMG_7878 I'm trying to figure out the identity of this tree. Its in the backyard of our new home. In the summer it had BIG leaves, maybe 8 inches long as I remember. In the fall, fruit (or nuts) with four wings. Now it is showing off with masses of pink bell-like blossoms. The bumble bees and hummingbirds flit in and out. Its a big tree, 40 or 50 feet tall.

Once I get a good look at the mature leaves, I hope I can follow through with the tree identification at Arborday. But if you know this tree, let me know!
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14 comments:

  1. RalphMay 15, 2014 4:22 AM

    I'm guessing halesia monticola or
    pink-flowered snowdrop tree because of the size and the hanging, bell-like blossoms.

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  2. AnonymousMay 15, 2014 6:25 AM

    Looks like Halesia. Perhaps H. monticola.

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  3. AnonymousMay 15, 2014 8:05 AM

    Looks like a pink Halesia http://www.backtonature.net/Plants_2/Trees/Pink-Silver-Bells-Tree.html

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  4. ValHallaMay 15, 2014 9:28 AM

    Could it be a styrax?

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  5. kateMay 15, 2014 10:17 AM

    Perhaps a Styrax?

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  6. Earthly WormMay 15, 2014 11:12 AM

    Looks like a Carolina Silverbell.

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  7. SavannagalMay 15, 2014 11:18 AM

    Looks similar to a Silver Bell Tree. The ones I've seen have white flowers, but yours could be a hybrid. I think they do have 4 winged seeds.

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  8. kbMay 15, 2014 12:20 PM

    A quick google search of it';s description threw up Carolina Silver Bell - might at least be a place to start http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a440

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  9. Karen AnneMay 15, 2014 12:55 PM

    Maybe the previous owners know?

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  10. AnonymousMay 15, 2014 4:31 PM

    You might have luck trying a "reverse" image search on google with that photo, and see if you get any matches.

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  11. pam_chesbayMay 15, 2014 5:11 PM

    Hope someone can ID your mystery tree. Trees that are blooming now are black locusts, wild cherries, fringe trees. Haven't seen anything with blossoms like your mystery tree.

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  12. plantingoaksMay 15, 2014 5:13 PM

    LookS like some form of halesia, though I didn't know they came in pink, and there seems to be some nomenclature controversy (of course), but its a tree to bark up (ha! Aren't puns wonderful?) I don't have one, but it's been on my list for a while

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  13. kathyMay 15, 2014 6:02 PM

    Well, it looks unanimous!

    "Halesia, also known as silverbell or snowdrop tree, is a small genus of four or five species of deciduous large shrubs or small trees in the family Styracaceae, native to eastern Asia (southeast China) and eastern North America (southern Ontario, Canada south to Florida and eastern Texas, United States). They grow to 5–20 m (16–66 ft) tall (rarely to 39 m (128 ft)), and have alternate, simple ovate leaves 5–16 cm long and 3–8 cm broad. The flowers are pendulous, white or pale pink, produced in open clusters of 2-6 together, each flower 1–3 cm long. The fruit is a distinctive, oblong dry drupe 2–4 cm long." (from wikipedia)

    The species are:

    - Halesia carolina L.; little silverbell, eastern North America
    - Halesia diptera Ellis; two-wing silverbell, southeastern North America
    - Halesia macgregorii Chun; Chinese silverbell or Macgregor's silverbell - eastern China
    - Halesia monticola, mountain silverbell or Carolina silverbell native to eastern North America

    I think mine looks most like Halesia monicola 'Arnold Pink'.

    Thanks for the help!!!

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  14. Renate WaasMay 16, 2014 3:29 AM

    … my guess is also Halesia
    LG Renate

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