Tree ID

[small trees]

This tree is pretty common here in South Georgia as an understory tree and I was just curious what it is. The closest I have found online is parsley Hawthorne but that doesn't quite match. Thanks for any help.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Probably hawthorn.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Don't think it's a hawthorn because of the smooth leaf edges. Reminds me of immature leaves of a Southern Red Oak or Water Oak... but it's not...

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

At first glance it makes me think of hawthorn as well. If long shots are allowed, I'd make a wild guess and say sassafras albidum.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Not sassafras, too many leaf lobes.

If tree like, with examples over 10 feet, most likely Crataegus, hawthorn, there's many species native to north america, and just as many natural hybrids. Finding a Crataegus that "doesn't quite fit" a species description is more the normal case, than not.

If the "tree" seems to be shrubby, remaining a bush more than a tree, check out genus Ribes, the currents and gooseberries. Again, many North American species.

Both have distinctive fruit and flowers, though for Ribes fruit are eaten by wildlife usually by the time it is ripe.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Ribes, the currents and gooseberries do make acceptable bonsai, and or kusamono. The hawthorns are great for bonsai too.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Doesn't look like a "tree" to me at all... more like a shrub. Would love to see more photos - particularly if you can find a flower or seed.

 

[small trees]

Thanks for the responses. I'll look into the species mentioned. If it is suitable for bonsai I will keep an eye out for others in the future. @Bonsai Nut I am at work but I will see if I can get my wife to take a few photos. There are 2 outside of my house. One is probably 12 feet tall, the other is growing under an apple tree.

 

[small trees]

These aren't the best pictures but I asked her to take a picture of the trunk and of the size of the tree. If there are any other specifics you want I'll have to take them tomorrow morning. This specific tree is probably 12-15 feet tall.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Hmm...malus of some kind?

 

[small trees]

I posted this on a facebook group and someone said Eastern Baccharis. Never heard of it but it looks about right. http://www.rnr.lsu.edu/plantid/species/ebaccharis/ebaccharis.htm

 

[M. Frary]

Another foemina.
They just keep popping up.

 

[Steve Kudela]

There are millions of these things in the south Georgia/ north Florida/southeastern Alabama region. I see them mainly in fence lines around fields as well as the outer edges of woods. While I do not have one(never found one good enough to dig), I saw one in a bonsai pot over at Rayford prison many years ago while I was part of a team of folks who went there to teach the horticulture inmates about bonsai. They will readily backbud when they are pruned and do fairly well in pot culture. My understanding is that they are a naturalised plant originally from the Bahamas, not a native. I'd say give them a try if you find a good one. Hope this helps.

 

[Melospiza]

This is an Eastern Baccharis, a weedy tree in the sunflower family, common especially in the coastal plain. It is salt-tolerant, so it spreads along roadsides where salt application suppresses other plants.

 

[Melospiza]

Not sassafras, too many leaf lobes.

If tree like, with examples over 10 feet, most likely Crataegus, hawthorn, there's many species native to north america, and just as many natural hybrids. Finding a Crataegus that "doesn't quite fit" a species description is more the normal case, than not.

If the "tree" seems to be shrubby, remaining a bush more than a tree, check out genus Ribes, the currents and gooseberries. Again, many North American species.

Both have distinctive fruit and flowers, though for Ribes fruit are eaten by wildlife usually by the time it is ripe.

I agree that hawthorns are highly variable and hybridize readily, but this is a Baccharis.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

This is an Eastern Baccharis, a weedy tree in the sunflower family, common especially in the coastal plain. It is salt-tolerant, so it spreads along roadsides where salt application suppresses other plants.

I had never heard of Baccharis halimifola but after looking at the Wiki page, it is a good fit. Looks a possible bonsai candidate, maybe. Give it a go.