Selfsufficientish.com

Quick question for any arborialists out there; which trees that grow in the UK have the habit of producing twiggy bits around the base, please?

I ask because I'm trying to identify a tree in a nearby property, but can't get close to it. It appears to have very upright branches too, if that helps.

I would estimate the trunk to be 18 inches or 45cm in diam. and about 6ft/2M before the first branches. There are nobbles on it that might have been branches that have been cut off, below that.

It has a good coat of soft green moss, which doesn't help, as I can't see the bark.

I would estimate it's total height to be about 25ft/4M

I can't see it in the Summer as it's behind other trees so I have no idea what type or colour of leaves it has, sorry. This is also why I can't photograph it clearly enough for the photo to make sense.

Thanks, more in hope than expectation of an answer

MW

Can't help with the identification, but I also can't help pointing out that a conversion of 25 feet to four metres is a tad misleading. But full marks for creative maths, MW

Mike

A difficult question MW ! In my limited experience some trees throw up suckers (twiggy bits) from the base, particularly after they've been pruned. My apples, plums and rowan trees all do this (the rowan wasn't pruned, it just does this). I've got a sycamore that we pruned that threw up loads of suckers too.

Why are you trying to ID it? Is there something about it that you like and want to know what it is so you can get one, and does it have something of interest in the growing season which might help ID it?

It's frustrating isn't it, I have one tree in my garden that refuses to have anything that resembles a flower so I just cannot ID it! It looks rather like an apple.

As I recall, Sycamores and Limes do this -especially if the bark is bashed by anything - and if the tree is in a garden or on a verge it's very possibly had strim/mower damage

Thanks, Peeps

Mark, put it down to posting whilst tired & my maths brain already being asleep!

MMM, said neighbour is worried it might be affecting her foundations & asked me to take a look, but the back garden is a bramble field! Having lent out of an upstairs window (at her house) I think it's an old ash that's previously had it's head chopped off. She's going to get her son to come & deal with it.

Snapdragon, whilst the garden hasn't seen a strimmer in years (since her hubby died in 2002) I think you're spot on with the reason for the suckers.

MW

@me rtbqs!
I just spotted you say upright branches - sycamores/field maples throw upright stuff if pollarded (useful as beanpoles so long as you don't let them root)

If it's an ash, who's getting the firewood?!

If it has black buds its an ash if you could take a photo of a twig/branch i should be able to i d it for you

MMM hopefully us, after my acrobatics!

MW

I've just found a specialist tree supplier that has pictures on their website that might help you identify it http://www.hopesgrovenurseries.co.uk/ .

I´ve heard, and perhaps OTM has an opinion on this, that yes trees growing close to a house can affect foundations, though if you cut it down the roots can rot thereby causing the ground to collapse.....6 of one and half a dozen of the other? Perhaps best to get some professional advice from someone who can actually make a judgement call in situ?

Thats very true Clara depending on type, wether it has fiborus, surface or tap roots to name a few, some trees will also search out water invading pipes and drains
but it is always prudent to get local specialist knowledge