Some help identifying a tree

[Aethelwulf]

Hello, we have this tree that is growing in the bottom of our garden, it isn't very old, maybe 5 years if that, but I can't for the life of me identify it.

Would someone maybe be able to help me out with it? These are all clickable thumbnails.


012 by Last Exit for the Lost, on Flickr Silhouette of tree


013 by Last Exit for the Lost, on Flickr Bark of Tree


015 by Last Exit for the Lost, on Flickr Leaves of Tree


As yet it hasn't beared any fruit, but that isn't to say it won't. Any help would be appreciated.

I am in Hertfordshire UK if that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance.

C

[Mountainheart]

Bit hard to tell due to the angle of the main picture: but looks like an Ash to me.

Thx
David

[acornspirit]

I am definitely not an expert on tree identification, but I agree--looks like an Ash.

I wonder if there might be an online tree identification guide for the UK somewhere. At arborday.org there is one for the US, but with a quick search I wasn't able to find one for the UK.

Cheers,
Greg

[Aethelwulf]

Thanks to you both, I have had a look online on what Ash trees look like and as my tree is so young of course the bark and size of the tree look different.

The only thing I am wondering about is the leaves, I see that most of the leaves are mainly in pairs with am odd leaf at the top. All of my leaves have even numbers if you see what I mean.

I have uploaded a clearer photo of the leaves themselves if it helps more and if I can get a better lit photo of the whole tree I will try that too if you are both willing to help.

I am asking because I already have a crab apple in my garden and was hoping to incorporate them all in my own grove.


001 by Last Exit for the Lost, on Flickr


Thanks in advance.

C x

[Mountainheart]

ooh I like a bit of detective work. The only other tree I can find that matches leaves like that is the Black Walnut. See picture about half way down this page: http://www.mortonarb.org/tree-plant-adv ... ation.html

[Mark B]

Definety looks like Ash. Are there black buds at the tips of the branches.
If there is I would go with Ash.

[Aethelwulf]

ooh I like a bit of detective work. The only other tree I can find that matches leaves like that is the Black Walnut. See picture about half way down this page: http://www.mortonarb.org/tree-plant-adv ... ation.html

You see now I know my Dad planted a Walnut in my back garden years and years ago, but seeing as I haven't spoken to him in 7 years I wasn't sure that it could be a Walnit, I just assumed that it hadn't grown.

Now I don't know what to do as Walnut isn't native to the UK.

[Aethelwulf]

Definety looks like Ash. Are there black buds at the tips of the branches.
If there is I would go with Ash.

Should there be black buds at the tips of the branches now, would this be the month for it budding?



OOoo I have just checked and all the leaves look to have odd number leaves and yes there are black buds.

Now, the dilemma, is it normal ash or mountain ash. Not that I live on the side of a mountain.

[Mark B]

Mountain Ash and Rowan are the same, they have red fruit. As you say
It hasn't had any it's probably common Ash.

[Huathe]

Tiigaan,

I have a hard time telling the tree type from your photos, but a species of ash is my first guess.

The ENTS tree id page may help.

http://www.nativetreesociety.org/specie ... pecies.htm

[Mountainheart]

ooh I like a bit of detective work. The only other tree I can find that matches leaves like that is the Black Walnut. See picture about half way down this page: http://www.mortonarb.org/tree-plant-adv ... ation.html

You see now I know my Dad planted a Walnut in my back garden years and years ago, but seeing as I haven't spoken to him in 7 years I wasn't sure that it could be a Walnit, I just assumed that it hadn't grown.

Now I don't know what to do as Walnut isn't native to the UK.

Well, the Romans grew Walnut trees in the UK, apparently, so although not actually native they have a long history. I would still go for it most likely being a common ash, although as you pointed out you would expect it to have a single end leaflet, not a double one as per your picture. It isn't impossible though that a walnut seed could remain dormant for a few years before germinating: so I wouldn't rule that out completely. Ash comes into leaf very late, so if the buds from your tree haven't opened by early May that will be a good sign that it is an Ash.

[Fox of the Oaks]

http://www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/trees/index2.htm

I have found this site useful in tree identification.

[Gwernen]

I'd say White Ash, Green ash the lobes would be slightly different?

[Jake]

That can't be a Black Walnut with such smooth bark. Young Ash trees have relatively smooth bark but even a very young Black Walnut's bark would be more furrowed and rough. And the leaves are serrate so it can't be an English Walnut.

Though it's hard to tell, in the first picture the leaves definitely look opposite like an Ash, not alternate like a Walnut or a Butternut. And while the lack of a single terminal leaflet in the newest picture is confusing don't the second and third photos clearly show leaves with an odd number of leaflets and a terminal?

My money would have to be on Ash.

[Ryan LeClair]

Common ash, Fraxinus excelsior? I think that's native in at least some of the U.K. The one leaf with two terminal leaflets is confusing

[Ryan LeClair]

Actually, don't know about that now. The leaf you have posted has quite rugose leaflets -- very inset veins and many wrinkles. Also, its leaflets are not decidedly alternate or opposite, while F. excelsior's seem to be consistently opposite. This one is tricky...