Help Needed - Tree Identification

Frank15 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 26 Apr 2015 Posts: 2

Hello all, first time poster here - need assistance in identifying trees growing on site at home. Trees are on bank of a small stream in east cork. Nothing on the internet or books etc have helped to identify them! I've attached photos which I hope will provide clarity on leaf etc.

The leaf is quite soft and even slightly downy in texture.

Numerous people have suggested birch and alder but I cant find anything to support this!!

Thanks in advance!

I hope the pictures aren't too big.

James Kilkelly · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 12:20 pm Post subject:

Looks like a type of Goat Willow, Frank15.
I wrote a piece on them here.. click... Irish native willow trees, Goat, Grey, Bay and Eared willows

tippben · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 3:30 pm Post subject:

I disagree. Looks very much like Populus alba, or, as you say a mutant variation or hybrid. Possibly P. x canescens, a hybrid between white poplar and aspen.

James Kilkelly · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 4:17 pm Post subject:

tagwex · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 9:11 pm Post subject:

Hello Frank.
Is it not a bit tall for a willow lads, notwithstanding that it may be a hybrid? Defo not a birch anyway. Alder goes a distinctive orange colour when cut.

kindredspirit · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 9:22 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't be an expert on trees but Willows can get tall. e.g. Weeping Willows and also some willows have woolly leaves. (Other types have bamboo-like leaves also.)

Frank15 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 26 Apr 2015 Posts: 2

Thanks for the feedback James/tippben/tagwex.
It's a funny one- I've been looking at trees all over the place for the past week r two and haven't seen anything else like them.

The leaves are really soft in fairness - not waxy like sycamore or anything. Stupid question - will leaves change form as they mature? i.e. will they lose the downy covering and get more firm etc?

Also, I haven't noticed any seeds/catkins type on ground or on the trees...

tippben · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 3:33 am Post subject:

I bet you'd be able to find suckers emerging from the root system meters away from the main trunk. I am certain that it is a poplar. It is most definitely not birch, alder or willow. Leaves do change their appearance as they mature. Think of Eucalyptus gunnii, for example, First small penny shaped leaves with a glaucous "bloom". As the stems mature, they become elongated, and lose the hue. I reckon it is this: https://www.google.ie/search?q=populus+canescens&biw=1366&bih=633&tbm=isch&imgil=5u7o1TQ-21bgUM%253A%253BOizDFFWogdwsTM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fcommons.wikimedia.org%25252Fwiki%25252FFile%25253APopulus_canescens_-_Meise_070429.JPG&source=iu&pf=m&fir=5u7o1TQ-21bgUM%253A%252COizDFFWogdwsTM%252C_&usg=___79EFa--OCHgHYoimUGvUe3usuk%3D&ved=0CCsQyjc&ei=x_4-Vda3H8Ge7gaq94C4Ag#imgrc=5u7o1TQ-21bgUM%253A%3BOizDFFWogdwsTM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fupload.wikimedia.org%252Fwikipedia%252Fcommons%252Ff%252Ffa%252FPopulus_canescens_-_Meise_070429.JPG%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcommons.wikimedia.org%252Fwiki%252FFile%253APopulus_canescens_-_Meise_070429.JPG%3B1704%3B2272

tippben · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 3:45 am Post subject:

James. Look at the first picture. The tree towards the right has snapped a branch, which is a typical evolutionary habit of poplars, same as S, fragilis. You can see the root system responding. There is a large P, alba in Dromineer, Co. Tipperary, in a garden I work in. The suckers are kept in check by Don's ride on mower, but enough emerge on banks for me to have to coppice them with loppers. The emergent foliage looks extremely similar to this tree.

James Kilkelly · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 2:25 pm Post subject:

Spot on about the leaf change in Eucalyptus, tippben.
This image of the Grey Poplar (Populus x canescens) as mentioned by yourself is really similar, so I'd say it could be that.

[img][/img]

Good guy · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 7:48 pm Post subject:

Wow! Where else could you get a service like this?

tagwex · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 8:23 pm Post subject:

If you need a good servicing GG I can recommend a good place. Costs a bit mind!

Good guy · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 8:31 pm Post subject:

Do they serve cat kebab too?

tagwex · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 9:32 pm Post subject:

Something akin to a cat alright!!!

Good guy · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 11:28 pm Post subject:

'Nuff said on that, I think!