Need help identifying a fast growing tree in my backyard

[fatpat268]

If it helps, I can post a slightly larger version of this picture and an up close shot of the leaves.

I'm hoping someone will be able to recognize the type of tree this is. It was planted in midsummer of 2007. It was just a tiny stick at the time, and didn't really grow much. It grew to height of about 3 feet at the end of 2008, and it has exploded in growth since then.

Thanks

 

[Modelworks]

Looks somewhat like a pecan tree.

Never knew it was the state tree of Texas. We had several in our yard but they were huge, 50ft + . Squirrels loved them.

 

[NewSilkTurtle]

That is most likely either a Paradise Tree (considered a pest) or a Black Walnut. If the leaves have a distinctly pleasant smell, it is the latter; if no special odor, the former.

I could be more certain of this guess if you posted a close-up of the bark on the trunk.

 

[fatpat268]

Thanks for the help so far.

Here's a closeup of the trunk

Some of the branches. The past two years, most of the new branches fall off at this time of year, leaving these notches in the bark.

Edit: Also, there are no fruit or flowers on this tree that I can recall.

 

[JTsyo]

Thanks for the help so far.

Here's a closeup of the trunk

Some of the branches. The past two years, most of the new branches fall off at this time of year, leaving these notches in the bark.

Edit: Also, there are no fruit or flowers on this tree that I can recall.

Well duh, it hasn't reached puberty yet.

 

[lxskllr]

It's not a black walnut based on the trunk shots.

 

[NuclearNed]

It's not a black walnut based on the trunk shots.

Agreed. The leaves kind of look like a black walnut, but definitely not the trunk.

 

[spidey07]

It's not a black walnut based on the trunk shots.

I've got all kinds of black walnuts in my yard. The trunk does look like a black walnut when it's young. And they grow incredibly fast. As soon as I saw the way the leave were growing I immediately thought black walnut, that's exactly what they look like when young.

 

[lxskllr]

I've got all kinds of black walnuts in my yard. The trunk does look like a black walnut when it's young. And they grow incredibly fast. As soon as I saw the way the leave were growing I immediately thought black walnut, that's exactly what they look like when young.

I've got them too, as well as numerous seedlings/saplings popping up all over. The bark is rough, even on fairly young trees. I'm sticking with it not being black walnut.

 

[NewSilkTurtle]

Looks like it's a paradise tree, or if not, possibly a poplar of some kind (they tend to grow fast, too).

 

[lozina]

Maybe a sumac

 

[fatpat268]

Well the bark is a little bit rougher on the bottom close to the ground. The bark that I took a picture of earlier is midway up the tree.

Here's the bottom part of the trunk:

 

[lozina]

Can you post a top-down photo of an entire stem with leaves ?

 

[vi edit]

Looks like a sumac to me too. Do the leaves turn red in the fall?

 

[fatpat268]

The leaves turnt red when it was just a tiny stick in the ground two years ago, haven't seen them turn red since. Right now, the leaves and new branches are all in the process of falling off. The leaves are a little lighter in color, but I don't see signs of them turning red

Can you post a top-down photo of an entire stem with leaves ?

I prepared a couple of full size pictures (each picture is very large and ~1.5 mb). Click the thumbnails below

What the tree looks like right now:


The tree 1 month ago (10/13/2010)


Up close shot of the leaves


Thanks I appreciate the help so far.

 

[BoomerD]

Looks like a Chinese Pistache to me...

 

[NewSilkTurtle]

Could well be a sumac.

 

[eldorado99]

I think its a swallow, not sure if African or European however... :hmm:

 

[AMDZen]

They only grow this fast in Texas, its because of all the homosexual in the soil

 

[NewSilkTurtle]

Here's a thought: Seed probably blew over from another property. Find this kind of tree at a neighbor's place, and ask if they know what it is. Bring a leaf off yours to compare.

Now you got me curious! Please post confirmed result.

 

[fatpat268]

Here's a thought: Seed probably blew over from another property. Find this kind of tree at a neighbor's place, and ask if they know what it is. Bring a leaf off yours to compare.

Now you got me curious! Please post confirmed result.

Well, I found a similar tree a few blocks away. It's a little more mature than this one. I asked the guy who owned the house and he didn't have a clue either.

I didn't intentionally plant the tree, but I don't mind it if produces some nice shade in the future. I just want to know what I'm getting into.

You guys have given some excellent suggestions so far (a lot better than what I've been able to research on my own). Perhaps I'll update this thread in a year again with new growth.

Looks like a Chinese Pistache to me...
]

I thought the same thing actually when I looked it up, but those trees seem to reliably change colors in the fall. Mine only did it once. I dunno.

Edit: Perhaps I'll get some pics of these similar trees around the neighborhood when I go on a run tomorrow.

 

[BoomerD]

Chinese Pistache are very common around here, and are one of the "approved" city trees in their "street trees" program.

 

[Ichinisan]

Looks like it's a paradise tree, or if not, possibly a poplar of some kind (they tend to grow fast, too).

Definitely not poplar leaves.

I'm not sure what a walnut tree looks like. We have pecan trees around here and it looks similar to a pecan tree.

 

[Ichinisan]

Looks like a Chinese Pistache to me...

Dis aint chyna, foo

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Cut a branch, take to experts at local garden center for positive ID.