Author Topic: A tree I saw in Arizona (many images) (Read 3657 times)

Lanier_Lurker · « **on:** April 11, 2007, 01:16:29 pm »

These trees were planted as ornamentals in the apartment complex I stayed at in Scottsdale, Arizona during Thanksgiving.

The wood is reddish and has no bark, and the leaves and leaflets strongly resemble rosemary (the spice).

Anyone know what this is?

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2007, 06:33:37 pm »

Thinking it's swamp Cyrilla Cyrilla racemiflora also known as palo colorado (leatherwood, Titi, red tree)

The leaves don't look right though, they resemble a willow, but willow I know are white woods like aspen.

What happened to the bark?

Thinking it's some type of shrub and not a tree.

Lanier_Lurker · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2007, 10:10:51 pm »

I had to crop the pictures down so much to fit the size restrictions that it is difficult to determine any scale.

The diameter of the tree in the vicinity of that branch is at least a foot, and the tree is easily 25ft tall.

While the leaflets do bear a strong resemblance to rosemary (both in size and shape) they are somewhat larger and more elongated than rosemary. Also, they have a similar texture.

I'm hoping there is a member here with some landscaping experience (or contacts) in Arizona. I'll go back through my pictures and try to find a better shot of the leaves.

WDH · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2007, 12:13:32 am »

That is not like the swamp cyrilla that I have seen. I have never seen it anywhere that big. It is usually associated with gallberry and greenbriar and forms impenetrable thickets in the lower coastal plain from North Carolina to Texas. It likes a wet site. The flower is a long stalk with many small flowers on it (a raceme

). Very showy. Grows in clumps. Here is a pic in flower.

http://arboretum.sfasu.edu/plants/cyrillaracemiflora/

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2007, 05:39:18 am »

It does grow in tree form and also found in Puerto Rico and the West Indies, Central America to Brazil. Up to 30' and 8" diameter.

But as I said earlier the leaves aren't the same.

I'm going with some exotic willow.

LeeB · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2007, 07:57:07 pm »

Desert wilow maybe? I don't think desert willow is actually a willow though.

Lanier_Lurker · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2007, 12:51:03 am »

Here are a couple more pictures.

Hopefully the one with my hand in it will help provide some scale for the foliage.

This one seemed to have everyone stumped on the identification forum over at arborday.org as well.

It is one peculiar tree. I wish I had some better pictures, as these were taken at night with a flash.

treecyclers · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2007, 10:44:59 am »

Yes, I know exactly what it is.
I have about 5000 boardfeet of it on hand, and it's hard as concrete.
It's Red Gum Eucalyptus, one of my less favorite woods to mill, but it's SO darn pretty that it's worth it.
To see the lumber that tree provides, see my website and go to the lumber page. It's on the right.
As an aside, I have about 20 tons of logs to mill, all of that species, that I am procrastinating on.....
Dave

beenthere · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2007, 10:53:54 am »

treecyclers

Nice pics in your website.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2007, 11:33:11 am »

Ah!! a Eucalyptus. I knew there was something about them leaves. Willow just wasn't narrow enough and I could remember seeing similar leaves on an earlier thread.

Good job treecyclers.

treecyclers · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2007, 07:26:16 pm »

And, I forgot to mention that I am looking for figured woods, and am willing to swap for eucalyptus, acacia, mesquite, and other fun stuff I have on hand....anyone wanna trade?
Superdave

Lanier_Lurker · « **Reply #11 on:** April 16, 2007, 10:56:28 pm »

Treecyclers, you are the man!

Thanks for clearing this up!

Lanier_Lurker · « **Reply #12 on:** April 16, 2007, 11:23:10 pm »

Ooops, I forgot to ask.

Is this a native or an exotic?

WDH · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2007, 11:24:48 pm »

Exotic with a big E. Native to Australia. Koala bear food

. A long way from home

.

treecyclers · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2007, 10:26:49 am »

Quote from: Lanier_Lurker on April 16, 2007, 11:23:10 pm

Is this a native or an exotic?

Originally, it was brought to the US from Australia, and the species has diverged slightly from what is native to AU.
The trees here are a little darker in the heartwood than it's siblings, and the wood is tremendously hard. Perhaps that's due to it being in the desert, or the minerals in the soil here.
What I do know that, once it's tooled, it takes a really nice finish, is extremely durable, and is gorgeous as furniture.
It's a stinker to dry, as is suffers grain collapse in the extreme, and loves to crack and check. I combat that by filling in fissures with tinted epoxy, which really adds to the unique aspects of the furniture that I build with it.
Superdave

Lanier_Lurker · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2007, 12:13:03 pm »

How big do they get? Some of your lumber looks to be pretty good size.

Texas Ranger · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2007, 03:50:25 pm »

Up front, I am poor on tropical trees, but, that being said, I thought Eucalyptus had a broad leaf, fan shaped rather than a needle shape.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2007, 04:31:11 pm »

No, don't think so TR unless it's a relative or something. They are willow-like in shape or much narrower.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus#Leaves

Lanier_Lurker · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2007, 05:05:09 pm »

$:-\$ $:-\$
I hate to question people that probably know more than I about things, but I've looked around the net at numerous pictures of the Red Gum Eucalyptus foliage - and it shore don't look like the foliage on this tree.

The leaflets on this tree are like very short pine needles, but with a glossy finish and soft texture. They bend easily without breaking and are rubbery.

Texas Ranger · « **Reply #19 on:** April 17, 2007, 05:59:59 pm »

After looking at wikipedia, even more convinced it is something else.

News:

Author Topic: A tree I saw in Arizona (many images) (Read 3657 times)