Help ID a hairy tree please!

Hippychic · #1 (**permalink**) 29-05-2009, 11:06 PM

Hi everyone, I just found this site while trying to ID a tree in my garden and glad I did!
We have a pretty hairy tree that has been driving us crazy trying to find it. This one looks pretty young as its only about 5-6' and has been throwing up a few babies across the garden. We lived in NY for a few yesrs and had a few there too, so were very suprised to find one in the UK.
The whole trunk is furry and where the newest shoots are appearing it is a lovely deep pink. The leaves look like the service tree, but it doesnt mention them being so hairy? It is very soft and not spikey, you could stroke it all day.
Ill get a pic over the weekend, just let me know what would help ID it and any other info you might need.
Thanks!
Ellen

Naturenutz · #2 (**permalink**) 29-05-2009, 11:24 PM

could it be tree of heaven .

Adam Cheeseman · #3 (**permalink**) 29-05-2009, 11:28 PM

Rhus?

Cheers,

Adam

Hippychic · #4 (**permalink**) 29-05-2009, 11:53 PM

Yikes I dont like the sound of either of them after reading up! It looks like both of them and hasnt got any flowers yet, but Ill get some pics.
Hopefully its not something nasty that no one likes

Naturenutz · #5 (**permalink**) 30-05-2009, 12:09 AM

I would go with adams suggestion, we had one years ago, very soft and hairy

. I was told it was tree of heaven but looking at the rhus , it was identical

.

Tiggrx · #6 (**permalink**) 30-05-2009, 06:07 AM

It does sound like Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumac). Tree-of-heaven is not so hairy

Gill Catton · #7 (**permalink**) 30-05-2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

It does sound like Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumac). Tree-of-heaven is not so hairy

I used to call it the 'fawn fur' tree when I was little because the branches looked like the limbs of a small deer to my childish eye! (I'd probably read too much bambi!)

Not native but does go gorgeous colours in the autumn an I quite like them as a result.

Hippychic · #8 (**permalink**) 30-05-2009, 07:54 AM

It does look like a deer leg now you mention it. We dont get any rashes from touching it though and we are always stroking it! (we dont have a dog lol). I pulled up a small one the other day and nothing either, so Im really hoping it isnt a Rhus but it is very hairy. I have children so it could be a problem if it is as bad as they say.

Hippychic · #9 (**permalink**) 30-05-2009, 07:59 AM

Hopefully it is the Staghorn, they sound nice and dont give you rashes. Wiki says you can make lemonade and use it as a dye.
Thanks, Ill keep my fingers crossed!

Adam Cheeseman · #10 (**permalink**) 30-05-2009, 08:19 AM

If it is, they can take over your garden if you're not careful, and they are quite difficult to get rid of if you don't want them.

Cheers,

Adam

pleb · #11 (**permalink**) 30-05-2009, 05:15 PM

I can back what Adam says. The one I had suckered all over the place and had to go.

Pete Collins · #12 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

I used to call it the 'fawn fur' tree when I was little because the branches looked like the limbs of a small deer to my childish eye! (I'd probably read too much bambi!)

Not native but does go gorgeous colours in the autumn an I quite like them as a result.

'fawn fur' sounds a very good description to me Gill! And you are right about the colours, too.

My parents had one in the back garden when I was young, which my brothers and I loved because of the velvety bark. One day we were sent to play round a friend's house - when we came back, my parents had cut the tree down! I think it was because, as Adam has said, they do tend to take over the garden.