Help to I. D. a BIG tree

[M.D. Vaden]

I don't have all the info on a tree I want an ID for. It's not what I was hired to consult on, but since it was on the lot, and it's not a nursery tree in our area, I'd like to know.

It's in an old neighborhood of a one time farming community - Newberg, Oregon.

The tree must be old. It's huge and and branches like an old Oregon oak.

The trunk is about 5' to 6' in diameter, the tree is about 90 feet wide and about 75 feet tall.

I had walked right up and said "oh, I know this one, it's myrtle". But one look at the trunk told me there was no way. Myrtle is never that big here. The leaf fooled me. At first I thought it was identicle. But when crushed, there is no strong aroma. And no aroma really.

Also, myrtle has a bit of a round leaf tip, but this tree had a pointed tip. And the leaf is smaller, but otherwise looks almost just like myrtle leaves.

Now - a very different thing. Some of the leaves have wavy edges and pointed tips on lobes, almost exactly like an English holly only slightly narrower. Especially on a few limbs that were stubbed. And in several places. OTherwise, 99 percent of the leaves are narrow and pointed almost like myrtle lacking the blunt leaf tip of myrtle.

I've never seen it in winter, but I'm 99.9 percent certain it's going to be a broad leaf evergreen - just has that look to it.

The twig tips had little clusters of serveral pointed buds.

There were no pods, acorns or fruit on the ground today at this moment in time. I can't say for the rest of the year.

WHAT WOULD YOU GUESS THIS TREE IS OR MAY BE?

Thanks.

 

[jimmyq]

no pics MD?

 

[M.D. Vaden]

No pics. Was leaing when I decided I was interested, but it's too far to return right now, especially considering it's not for pay to ID it. But I thought what I could recall may be enought info.

It seems that the two leaf types alone should make it pop right out in someones mind. The tree is huge. I can't imagine that many huge broadleaf evergreens have two types of leaves.

Hope the few facts are enough for somebody.

 

[jimmyq]

two wild shots in the dark :
Arbutus menziesii ( I cant think that you wouldnt know this tree)
Quercus myrsinifolia (longshot)

can't really think of any others that would be close MD.

 

[M.D. Vaden]

Yeah !!

Think I got a solution - from a lady that maintains a gardening forum Rainyside.

She offered a link to:

Canyon Liveoak

Quercus Chrysolepsis

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/quch.htm

Check out the two leaves in the PHOTO link

The leaves look about right on, and the buds are the same too.

 

[jimmyq]

I will take solace in the fact that I suggested Quercus....

 

[wiley_p]

with the leaf varition I would lean toward live oak.

 

[techdave]

canyon or maul oak

Hi MD, Upper surfaces of leaves should be bright green and shiny, with lower surfaces pale blue or grayish. Spiny or toothed margins are common on lwer branches and are also found lower in big trees. Smooth margins are common to higher spots in the tree and older trees. A fine felt of golden or or silver often overlays the underside of the leaf and even the acorn scales, hence "chrysolepsis"-- golden scaled. (info form Oaks of Ca-Pavlik et al-Cachuma press). HTH Dave FWIW this is a very different shape than the low multi-branched form it typically assumes here in drier and rockier locations.