The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Tree, Plant and Wood I.D. => Topic started by: Magicman on January 19, 2017, 04:40:22 PM

Title: I know what this is....but
Post by: Magicman on January 19, 2017, 04:40:22 PM
 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_1792.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1484861348)
It is a Cherrybark Oak getting a hug from and Elm.   ;D

But what is this:


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_1746.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1484861567)
The trunk of an 8" tree.


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_1748.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1484861588)
The foliage that stays year round.


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_1789.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1484861605)
The fruit (berries).


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_1790.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1484861626) 
An individual leaf showing little saw teeth on the edge. 
Title: Re: I know what this is....but
Post by: Den-Den on January 19, 2017, 07:40:22 PM
I believe that is called a Cherry Laurel here.  They are fairly common in my area but an 8" trunk is a good one.  The wood is pretty but very unstable.
Title: Re: I know what this is....but
Post by: caveman on January 19, 2017, 08:22:18 PM
Prunus caroliniana (Cherry Laurel or Carolina Laurel Cherry).  Most of the ones here have spiral grain and smoother bark.  The leaves and twigs smell a lot like cherry cola.

Do any of you cook on it?  I burn a lot of black cherry when smoking meat but have never tried Cherry Laurel.
Title: Re: I know what this is....but
Post by: Magicman on January 19, 2017, 10:01:19 PM
Yes Dennis, that trunk is the largest that I have ever seen.  Even one 4" is unusual to see.

I have always known these plants to be in this particular area, but never thought to ask what they were.  Now I can look in the book without reading the entire book.   ;D
Title: Re: I know what this is....but
Post by: Magicman on January 19, 2017, 10:21:48 PM
Yup, my pictures and the book's illustrations look identical. Carolina Laurelcherry.  The only caution that I see is that injured or wilted leaves contain "hydrocyanic acid" which can be fatal when ingested by humans and most mammals; young leaves are browsed by deer with no problems.

I was surprised to not see any mention of the fact that it retains it's leaves year round.

Thanks for the identification.   :)
Title: Re: I know what this is....but
Post by: PC-Urban-Sawyer on January 21, 2017, 05:43:42 PM
I've got one in my back yard that's roughly 12" dbh...

Herb