Tree ID request

[t613]

I have a friend that wants a tree taken down in his newly-purchased yard. I'm very curious what kind of tree it is before we take it down.

It's mid-May and Spring is in full force in CT. This tree has just started sprouting green, otherwise it looks like it was dead. It has a silvery bark, in 3-4 inch oblong pieces. The strangest thing about the tree is the 12-18" long pods that have fallen from it recently. The pods are very woody feeling and are about 1/2" diameter. The ones on the ground were split lengthwise, but haven't seen the seeds. It also appears there were small (1/2") flower buds that have already fallen and turned light green.

Will try to get pictures. No full leaves yet, but will keep looking as they appear.

Any help you guys could offer would be greatly appreciated, I'm stumped!

Thanks,

Tim

 

[ATH]

If not for the length of the seed pods, I'd guess Kentucky Coffeetree based on the rest of your description and the late leaf-out. Coffeetree pods should be less than 8" long...so if they are 12-18" long, I'll have to wait for pictures to make my next guess.

Most of your description doesn't sound like Honey locust or Catalpa, but those are the common trees with pods that long.

 

[t613]

Thanks for the quick reply. Did a quick search on the Coffeetree and the honey locust.

The fruits of the pictures in the artciles showed a more flat shape. The pods on this tree are just about round and 1/2" diameter.

The descriptions are very close to what the tree is acting like though, late bloom and all.

Anyhow, I'll try to get pics to post.

Thanks again!

Tim

 

[climberjones]

Catulpa!

 

[ATH]

Catulpa!

The pods sound like Catalpa, but the rest of the tree does not...

 

[t613]

Looking at Catulpa tree pics on the Internet, the pods look just like them.

I'll call it Cataulpa. I have an opportunity to take it out of his yard to use as firewood...think I may help him get rid of it, but I'm not sure I want it for firewood.

Thanks for all of your speedy and helpful responses!!!

Man, I love this site!


Tim

 

[AndyB89]

Catalpa trees are not very good as far as fire wood, but good for outside fires, don't get me wrong you can burn it inside , but has low BTUs and not very good.

 

[ropensaddle]

Looking at Catulpa tree pics on the Internet, the pods look just like them.

I'll call it Cataulpa. I have an opportunity to take it out of his yard to use as firewood...think I may help him get rid of it, but I'm not sure I want it for firewood.

Thanks for all of your speedy and helpful responses!!!

Man, I love this site!


Tim

Is the wood green and very light weight if so catalpa? However there are others that fit description bean tree for instance!

 

[t613]

Is the wood green and very light weight if so catalpa? However there are others that fit description bean tree for instance!

Haven't cut any of it yet to know if it's green. It looks like the leaves will be coming out soon also, so I'll try to get a pic of them for better ID.

Thanks again for all of your replies!

Tim

 

[climberjones]

Haven't cut any of it yet to know if it's green. It looks like the leaves will be coming out soon also, so I'll try to get a pic of them for better ID.

Thanks again for all of your replies!

Tim

Wood carvers luv catalpa!!!!!

 

[pdqdl]

The catalpa are pretty slow to come out in the spring, too. I'd say long pods that are very narrow & stiff almost defines it as a catalpa.

 

[ropensaddle]

The catalpa are pretty slow to come out in the spring, too. I'd say long pods that are very narrow & stiff almost defines it as a catalpa.

Yeah but the bean tree very similar I wish i had a big catalpa for fish bait lol. I like the woods light weight too.

 

[dtm165]

If the leaves are single large leaves, it is a catalpa. They are known for their cigar shaped beanpods which turn brown

Haven't cut any of it yet to know if it's green. It looks like the leaves will be coming out soon also, so I'll try to get a pic of them for better ID.

Thanks again for all of your replies!

Tim

 

[pdqdl]

It's hard to confuse the two, when you set the pods side by side.

Catalpa:

Kentucky Coffeebean:

Locust comes to mind:

Then there is alway redbud, too:

 

[ropensaddle]

It's hard to confuse the two, when you set the pods side by side.

Catalpa:

Kentucky Coffeebean:

Locust comes to mind:

Then there is alway redbud, too:

No not coffee plain ole bean tree!

 

[pdqdl]

Ok, I went nuts! Look at a few of these:
(most have pods too small and would never survive in Ct, but what the heck)

Albizia julibrissin Fact Sheet
Bignonia capreolata Fact Sheet
Caragana arborescens Fact Sheet
Cytisus scoparius Fact Sheet
Delonix regia Fact Sheet
Ebenopsis ebano Fact Sheet
Nerium oleander Fact Sheet
Sesbania punicea Fact Sheet
Robinia pseudoacacia Fact Sheet
Robinia neomexicana Fact Sheet
Robinia hispida Fact Sheet
Pueraria montana Fact Sheet
Prosopis pubescens Fact Sheet


Pretty much any of the Fabaceae family.

 

[ropensaddle]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2682979179_6513be8483.jpg

 

[pdqdl]

No not coffee plain ole bean tree!

Ok. I need help here.

What is a "plain ole bean tree" ? Google was no help; everything was general, with nothing specific... as in Genus & species.

 

[pdqdl]

... I wish i had a big catalpa for fish bait lol...

I have only seen the Catalpa sphinx moth larva a couple of times. We have lots of the trees up here, but the braconid wasps always wipe them out rather quickly.

We had a nice infestation a couple of years ago in my mother-in-laws favorite tree in her front yard. I was asked what could be done. I advised that there was no need to worry, they would all be dead in a week. They were, too! I wanted to grow a couple to maturity to catch the moths when they pupated, but none of 'em made it.

 

[pdqdl]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2682979179_6513be8483.jpg

That be a Catalpa image taken of a tree when the pods are green!

My original pic above was a winter-survivor pod, since that is what the OP is likely to be looking at. Look at the large, heart shaped leaves. (ignore the serrations if you blow up the image, as I think they are artifacts from the pixelation)

Perhaps southern, or maybe northern, but certainly Catalpa.