Mystery tree ID help please

pbpete · #1 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 02:05 PM

This tree is in my garden and I have no idea what it is. It has blossomed just once in the past 20 years, with one white blossom. I have often wondered if it is a shrub that has been pruned unto a tree shape.

Unfortunately the trunk has split and the tree seems to be rotting away from the inside, even though it is still growing vigourously. I'm busy taking cuttings to try to grow another, but I would dearly love to know just what kind of tree it is.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Pete

Dorts · #2 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 06:37 PM

Hi Pete.
You have a very old 'Weeping Willow leaved Pear' - Pyrus salicifolia 'Pendula'.

It is normally kept to around 10ft in height, but yours has been allowed to get completely out of control.

I would suggest if you want to keep it, you cut it down to about 5ft. sometime early next year, (about feb/march). It should sprout very freely and won't take long before you can see it in all its glory.
Dorts..

pbpete · #3 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 08:09 PM

Hi Dorts,

Many thanks for your reply identifying the tree. I'll cut it back next year as you suggest.

Thanks again.

Pete

Dorts · #4 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 09:21 PM

Pete, if when you come to cut it down, look for any shoots at about 3-5ft. and cut just above these shoots with a final slightly sloping cut.
All the best.
Dorts.

Tursiops2 · #5 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorts

Hi Pete.
You have a very old 'Weeping Willow leaved Pear' - Pyrus salicifolia 'Pendula'.

Dorts..

That's interesting, I didn't know there was a "weeping" form of P. salicifolia. Is it like Kilmarnock Willow, i.e. a graft onto normal rootstock?

T2

Dorts · #6 (**permalink**) 24-05-2011, 05:20 AM

I presume the 'pendula' form is always grafted, therefore if that is the case, best not to cut it too low.
If it's not 'pendula' it wont matter but better be safe than sorry.

Dorts.

pbpete · #7 (**permalink**) 24-05-2011, 06:54 AM

This one is definitely grafted. I get shoots with different leaves coming oiut from the bottom four inches or so of the tree.

Pete

nightshade · #8 (**permalink**) 24-05-2011, 08:15 AM

My neighbour has a full sized version of this tree and it is the Sparrows favourite "social "tree it has become very dense so birds love to roost in its safety, I have seen a Sparrow Hawk struggling to extricate itself from the tree after an unsucessful attack where the small bird just darted into the depths.