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Can anyone identify this tree in dd’s garden?

(32 Posts)
Witzend Mon 18-May-20 11:34:30

I’ve looked in my Tree and Shrub expert book, but still not sure. Dd thinks it could be some kind of hawthorn - blossom does look similar - but the berries are unlike the 2 hawthorns we have - a different, more pinky red and slightly bigger - and they fall off the tree in vast numbers, rather than mostly staying on for the birds to eat.
It’s relatively small and a neat shape, and alive with bees on the blossom at the moment.,

The garden was mature when they moved in, and the former owner was a v keen gardener who planted a lot of unusual things.

Sparkling Sat 23-May-20 13:01:04

It looks like Spirea to me, what a lovely plant.

Northernlass Sat 23-May-20 12:32:18

Witzend this is the closest pic we can find, seeing as we don't have any other details such as deciduous/evergreen, and I think someone else has suggested it:
www.rhs.org.uk/plants/89242/Crataegus-persimilis-Prunifolia/Details

Shrub Thu 21-May-20 20:47:03

Let's hope I live up to my name!

MiniMoon Thu 21-May-20 19:14:26

Shrub, what a great name! I think you are right. Cratageus prunifolia looks identical to the new photo supplied by the OP.

MiniMoon Thu 21-May-20 19:10:42

I can't see why it isn't a dotted hawthorn. It grows well here, and there are suppliers in England, according to the RHS.
Since the previous owner was a keen gardener it is more than possible.

Shrub Thu 21-May-20 18:55:16

How about Cretaegus prunifolia?

Northernlass Thu 21-May-20 17:51:33

Is it evergreen Witzend? I should've asked that in the first place!

Virburnum tinus is evergreen. Spirea vanhouttei is deciduous.

Alexa Thu 21-May-20 15:00:14

I think it's a viburnum tinus. I have one.

GrannyLaine Thu 21-May-20 13:26:32

Picture might help!

GrannyLaine Thu 21-May-20 13:24:41

Might it be this? Spiraea Vanhouttei
www.google.co.uk/search?q=spiraea+vanhouttei&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj43Kf398TpAhXeQEEAHZaCCIUQ_AUoAXoECBMQAw&biw=1250&bih=621#imgrc=la4BoWZQdYWG2M

Witzend Thu 21-May-20 12:26:14

Thanks everybody. The leaves are not deeply serrated like that pic of sorbus, Northernlass , they are very finely serrated. Don’t know about the backs of leaves - shall have to ask dd to send a shot.

Northernlass Mon 18-May-20 14:37:42

We're almost 100% sure it's in the Roseace:

www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-plants-in-the-family-Rosaceae-2001612

I'm unable to find reference to Cratageus punctata in Britain so it may be confined to N. America/Canada

Northernlass Mon 18-May-20 14:20:40

It may be a Sorbus eg Sorbus intermedia (not Sorbus aucuparia - Mountain Ash). Are the backs of the leaves downy?

www.vdberk.co.uk/trees/sorbus-intermedia-brouwers/
It may not be this variety but I've sent the pic as a guide.

Or it may be a Cratageus, which includes Hawthorn. What's the bark like? Is it thorny or not?

DH (a botanist) and I (plant lover and gardener of 40+years) are pretty sure it's not a Viburnum, Hydrangea, Rhodedendron or Prunus virginiana.

Sorry shysal, we don't think it's Virburnum lantana. If you compare each individual flower to the OPs photo, you can see that hers show them to have rounded petals. V. lantana's individual flowers are very different.

Kalu Mon 18-May-20 13:58:00

Some people get a scent of Lillies but others can’t stand the smell?

Witzend Mon 18-May-20 13:56:47

Thank you all. Minimoon, that certainly looks like a possibility. It’s not a rhododendron or a climbing hydrangea (I’ve got one of those) - it’s def. a small tree rather than a shrub or shrubby-type of tree.

shysal Mon 18-May-20 13:43:33

Great to see the answer. Thanks from me too.

Kalu Mon 18-May-20 13:37:52

It looks like a Wayfairing tree. Species of Viburnum

grandMattie Mon 18-May-20 13:37:17

Viburnum especially if the flowers are very fragrant.

grandMattie Mon 18-May-20 13:36:32

It’s definitely a vibe rum. There are loads of different varieties,I can’t remember which one.

janeainsworth Mon 18-May-20 13:34:56

Witzend PlantSnap suggests Prunus Virginiana en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunus_virginiana#/media/File%3APrunus_virginiana_flowers.jpg

I have to say my first thought looking at the leaves was that it was some sort of Prunus.

EllanVannin Mon 18-May-20 13:34:10

Azalea family ?

Esspee Mon 18-May-20 13:15:13

I suggest you post on Gardener’s World website. They are wonderfully knowledgeable.
I would have hazarded a guess at a hydrangea as the leaves are similar.

tanith Mon 18-May-20 13:10:33

It looks like my climbing Hydrangea but mine won’t flower for another few weeks yet.

shysal Mon 18-May-20 13:07:10

I was admiring some similar trees on my walk this morning, but sorry, I don't know what they are. I shall be interested in the answer.

MiniMoon Mon 18-May-20 13:05:42

Posted too soon. This might help with your identification.