What type of tree/bush is this?

SunnyD

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Jan 2, 2001
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Down here in Alabama (I'm sure elsewhere too), there is this ornamental type tree or bush or whatnot that I see all over the place generally in landscape arrangements around buildings. Pretty sure it's a tree because it looks much like one.

The main feature is - when the landscapers come to trim all the greenery and stuff, they literally cut EVERY SINGLE branch down to the trunks, leaving no leaves or anything. Within a week, there's usually a dozen or two new twigs sprouting off the ends of the trunks.

Oh, it's also got a smooth light brown bark that looks rather papery (fairly thin, peels in large "flakes").

Any ideas on what this is?

Thanks to Engineer: It appears I'm thinking it is a crape myrtle!

Now my second question:
Okay... so now my second question. This bush/tree/shrub whatever that's growing in my yard. The feature that it has are these, I assume they're seed pods, they look sort of like large coffee beans. They're very dry, they were on the tree last winter. Come spring, they opened up, sort of in a star-shape pattern (imagine a wedged orange or something like that). They're STILL on the shrub. I'm not certain whether it had flowered at all this spring, so I can't be sure it's a crape myrtle for sure, though the main trunks appear very similar. Though I think in this case it may be more of a shrub than a tree.

Ideas?

Question #2 has been answered by runzwithsizorz: it is indeed a crepe myrtle!

Thanks folks, I can go about researching proper pruning for this bad boy now.
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
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Birch are often White. At least up north, Birch Bark was used by the Natives to make canoes.
 

SunnyD

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Originally posted by: BoomerD
Does it flower? The basic description sounds like a crape myrtle.

http://www.clemson.edu/extensi...pe/trees/hgic1008.html

After reading, yeah, I'm sure this is what I was thinking of. Now I have to figure out if it's the same thing that's in my yard.

Originally posted by: sandorski
Birch are often White. At least up north, Birch Bark was used by the Natives to make canoes.

Yup, I grew up around birch trees. Had a white birch in my front yard growing up, so I know what they look like. My father used to use birch bark buckets when he was a kid in Poland. Fun stuff them trees are!
 

Engineer

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: sandorski
Birch are often White. At least up north, Birch Bark was used by the Natives to make canoes.

There are different kinds of Birch. My neighbor has the light brown (reddish tint) Birch, that I posted above, in his back yard.
 

Redfraggle

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Jan 19, 2009
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Yes, it's a crape myrtle. They cut them down like that because it encourages the tree to flower more prolifically.

(fun fact about white birches, did you know the bark will burn even if it's soaking wet?)
 

SunnyD

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Jan 2, 2001
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Originally posted by: Redfraggle
Yes, it's a crape myrtle. They cut them down like that because it encourages the tree to flower more prolifically.

(fun fact about white birches, did you know the bark will burn even if it's soaking wet?)

Okay... so now my second question. This bush/tree/shrub whatever that's growing in my yard. The feature that it has are these, I assume they're seed pods, they look sort of like large coffee beans. They're very dry, they were on the tree last winter. Come spring, they opened up, sort of in a star-shape pattern (imagine a wedged orange or something like that). They're STILL on the shrub. I'm not certain whether it had flowered at all this spring, so I can't be sure it's a crape myrtle for sure, though the main trunks appear very similar.

Ideas?
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
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They're a pretty common tree. We have lots of them here...I even have one in my back yard.

My neighbor hates it because after it flowers, it drops little "berries" that end up in their swimming pool. :D

Since they don't bother to maintain the water chemistry nor filter it properly, the berries often sit on the bottom of the pool and leave purple stains. :roll: They keep trying to convince me to cut it down, but when I offer to do so...for $200, they get pissed and refuse to pay...so I continue to fertilize the tree and give it lots of bloom food. :D
 

runzwithsizorz

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2002
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Boomer beat me to it. Ya'll ain't from around here are ya son, for it is THE tree of the south! The cutting/pruning you saw done is called pollarding, which I believe is French for, I'm gonna whack the hell outta this wood, for I know it will always grow back.
 

Redfraggle

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Jan 19, 2009
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Originally posted by: SunnyD
Originally posted by: Redfraggle
Yes, it's a crape myrtle. They cut them down like that because it encourages the tree to flower more prolifically.

(fun fact about white birches, did you know the bark will burn even if it's soaking wet?)

Okay... so now my second question. This bush/tree/shrub whatever that's growing in my yard. The feature that it has are these, I assume they're seed pods, they look sort of like large coffee beans. They're very dry, they were on the tree last winter. Come spring, they opened up, sort of in a star-shape pattern (imagine a wedged orange or something like that). They're STILL on the shrub. I'm not certain whether it had flowered at all this spring, so I can't be sure it's a crape myrtle for sure, though the main trunks appear very similar.

Ideas?

What general region are you in? I'm guessing SE, but want to be sure.

Are the blooms orange? Do they have a scent? How tall is the plant in question?

 

SunnyD

Belgian Waffler
Jan 2, 2001
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Originally posted by: Redfraggle
Originally posted by: SunnyD
Originally posted by: Redfraggle
Yes, it's a crape myrtle. They cut them down like that because it encourages the tree to flower more prolifically.

(fun fact about white birches, did you know the bark will burn even if it's soaking wet?)

Okay... so now my second question. This bush/tree/shrub whatever that's growing in my yard. The feature that it has are these, I assume they're seed pods, they look sort of like large coffee beans. They're very dry, they were on the tree last winter. Come spring, they opened up, sort of in a star-shape pattern (imagine a wedged orange or something like that). They're STILL on the shrub. I'm not certain whether it had flowered at all this spring, so I can't be sure it's a crape myrtle for sure, though the main trunks appear very similar.

Ideas?

What general region are you in? I'm guessing SE, but want to be sure.

Are the blooms orange? Do they have a scent? How tall is the plant in question?

Huntsville, AL. (Madison actually, but anyway)

I've never actually attempted to smell them. The shrub WAS about 6-7' tall as of winter. It's perked up a couple more feet this summer. I am looking to find out what exactly it is in order to determine exactly the best/proper way to trim it back. It's right at the corner of my driveway and the sidewalk off the driveway leading to my front door, hence it's encroaching on frequently traveled areas.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
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Originally posted by: SunnyD
Huntsville, AL. (Madison actually, but anyway)

I've never actually attempted to smell them. The shrub WAS about 6-7' tall as of winter. It's perked up a couple more feet this summer. I am looking to find out what exactly it is in order to determine exactly the best/proper way to trim it back. It's right at the corner of my driveway and the sidewalk off the driveway leading to my front door, hence it's encroaching on frequently traveled areas.



It's usually pretty difficult to ID a plant/tree/shrub from just a description. Crape Myrtle was pretty easy because of your description of the bark and the heavy pruning.
A couple of decent pictures of the plant in question usually makes identification MUCH easier...and far more accurate.

So, as is commonly said here on ATOT, TTIWWOP. :D
 

runzwithsizorz

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2002
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Originally posted by: SunnyD
Originally posted by: Redfraggle
Yes, it's a crape myrtle. They cut them down like that because it encourages the tree to flower more prolifically.

(fun fact about white birches, did you know the bark will burn even if it's soaking wet?)

Okay... so now my second question. This bush/tree/shrub whatever that's growing in my yard. The feature that it has are these, I assume they're seed pods, they look sort of like large coffee beans. * They're very dry, they were on the tree last winter. Come spring, they opened up, sort of in a star-shape pattern (imagine a wedged orange or something like that). They're STILL on the shrub. * I'm not certain whether it had flowered at all this spring, so I can't be sure it's a crape myrtle for sure, though the main trunks appear very similar.

Ideas?

THIS is exactly what the Crape Myrtle has.
 

SunnyD

Belgian Waffler
Jan 2, 2001
32,674
146
106
www.neftastic.com
Originally posted by: runzwithsizorz
Originally posted by: SunnyD
Originally posted by: Redfraggle
Yes, it's a crape myrtle. They cut them down like that because it encourages the tree to flower more prolifically.

(fun fact about white birches, did you know the bark will burn even if it's soaking wet?)

Okay... so now my second question. This bush/tree/shrub whatever that's growing in my yard. The feature that it has are these, I assume they're seed pods, they look sort of like large coffee beans. * They're very dry, they were on the tree last winter. Come spring, they opened up, sort of in a star-shape pattern (imagine a wedged orange or something like that). They're STILL on the shrub. * I'm not certain whether it had flowered at all this spring, so I can't be sure it's a crape myrtle for sure, though the main trunks appear very similar.

Ideas?

THIS is exactly what the Crape Myrtle has.

Yup, found it. Thanks much! (Not my picture)

So sounds like I can safely hack away at this thing. without fear it won't regrow.