The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Tree, Plant and Wood I.D. => Topic started by: grandkodiak on November 11, 2018, 04:12:01 PM

Title: ID help on two trees, coastal central NJ
Post by: grandkodiak on November 11, 2018, 04:12:01 PM
Hey all... just recently got around to using the Audubon guide and online as my parents have many different types of tree and plants/flowers, they were both gardeners and landscape fans. We have jap maples, norway spruces, birch, juniper , beachwood etc... but Im having trouble with two. Seeing as many flowers and shrubs arent native they arent in the book like their andromeda. That aside they are both 30+' and 35+ year old trees that I cant ID.

The first might be sick as the bark is flaking off to the hardwood core. Leaves are fine saw tooth and elongated as well. It drops large singular shaped dark berries (not blackberry w multiple round clusters) in spring. Leaves are alternative on the branch.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/52515/20181111_141352.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1541971538)



(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/52515/20181111_141427.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1541971421)




The second as I recall drops long large pods in spring, but the leaves are massive, larger then a spread hand and then some. (In my pic it has dead vines growing up it)


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/52515/20181111_141234.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1541971413)



(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/52515/20181111_141257.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1541971407)
Title: Re: ID help on two trees, coastal central NJ
Post by: WV Sawmiller on November 11, 2018, 06:39:36 PM
   Could the 2nd be Catapla? The leaf looks similar and has big leaves and long beans. Does it have a strong smell when you crush the leaf? They typically grow near or over the water. If it is you may find caterpillars periodically come eat all the leaves off it. The worms are great fish bait.
Title: Re: ID help on two trees, coastal central NJ
Post by: curdog on November 11, 2018, 06:44:54 PM
I'd go with catalpa as well... 
Title: Re: ID help on two trees, coastal central NJ
Post by: WV Sawmiller on November 11, 2018, 11:40:08 PM
   What do the fruit on #1 look like? Any chance it could be a Blackgum? They have purple or black single seeded fruits (Drupes) like a plum if I recall properly
Title: Re: ID help on two trees, coastal central NJ
Post by: Don P on November 12, 2018, 06:31:11 AM
That's what I was thinking. Look up at the branches, do you see a lot of 45 degree angles?
Title: Re: ID help on two trees, coastal central NJ
Post by: Gary_C on November 12, 2018, 02:26:03 PM
The second one is a basswood.
Title: Re: ID help on two trees, coastal central NJ
Post by: WV Sawmiller on November 12, 2018, 03:35:16 PM
   I first wondered about that but the description drove me to think possibly Catalpa. My basswood (and I have several in front of my house) have sawtooth edges I don't see on this leaf. The long, bean like pods sure sounds like Catalpa. If he crushes the leaf and gets a strong, almost coffee like smell that would help confirm Catalpa.

   The bark does look like my basswood though. I don't have any catalpa close by to compare to.
Title: Re: ID help on two trees, coastal central NJ
Post by: WDH on November 12, 2018, 09:53:11 PM
Basswood has serrated leaf margins.  I agree with catalpa on #2.  Still figuring on #1. 
Title: Re: ID help on two trees, coastal central NJ
Post by: DPatton on November 13, 2018, 08:49:07 PM
The Northern Catalpa I have in my area has very large leaves 8"-10"long, it produces dense clusters of showy white flowers in the spring. The seed pods on mature trees in my area are roundish and about the diameter of a small to medium sized finger, 10"-24" in length. I have only sawn a few logs of it but it earns the nickname" skunkwood "for good reason. 
Title: Re: ID help on two trees, coastal central NJ
Post by: mike_belben on November 14, 2018, 08:05:05 AM
Post a pic of the whole tree for #1.  Black gum will be given away by its structure usually