hi i really need to find out what this shrub or tree is, as it has mould on it that probably wants treating. i'll describe it and link 3 photo's from photobucket (hope that's allowed).

firstly i live in surrey. the soil is clay but well mixed now. the shrub is about 5 ft high, round in form with grey / brown smooth bark. the buds are very small and staggered as opposed to pairs, and there are no leaves on it at this time. on the end of each branch there is a group of brown open seed pods. the fungi is clustered on the lower branches and looks like white/pale cyan granules.

i've taken a pic of the tree, the pods and the fungus or whatever it is

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...6/DSCN0508.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...6/DSCN0509.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...6/DSCN0510.jpg

i hope they work. failing that, does anyone know of an online plant finder?
thanks

In message , lowlife
writes

hi i really need to find out what this shrub or tree is, as it has mould
on it that probably wants treating. i'll describe it and link 3 photo's
from photobucket (hope that's allowed).

firstly i live in surrey. the soil is clay but well mixed now. the
shrub is about 5 ft high, round in form with grey / brown smooth bark.
the buds are very small and staggered as opposed to pairs, and there
are no leaves on it at this time. on the end of each branch there is a
group of brown open seed pods. the fungi is clustered on the lower
branches and looks like white/pale cyan granules.

With alternate foliage and 5-loculate capsular fruits it could be
Hibiscus syriacus. (H. syriacus doesn't usually fruit in my neck of the
woods, but there's a plant in the town centre with similar looking
fruits, that if I recall correctly is H. syriacus.)

You don't happen to remember what the foliage or flowers look like?

For a selection of pictures of H. syriacus see

http://www.malvaceae.info/Genera/Hibiscus/galleryH.html

From where I sit the fungus look liked lichen, which is harmless, but
it's easy to misinterpret a photograph.

i've taken a pic of the tree, the pods and the fungus or whatever it
is

http://tinyurl.com/29ej9r

http://tinyurl.com/22c58j

http://tinyurl.com/2ghxb2

i hope they work. failing that, does anyone know of an online plant
finder?
thanks


--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

On Tue, 23 Jan 2007 14:57:43 +0000, lowlife wrote
(in article ):


hi i really need to find out what this shrub or tree is, as it has mould
on it that probably wants treating. i'll describe it and link 3 photo's
from photobucket (hope that's allowed).


The photo links work fine. Not sure of the shrub/tree identification, but
the "mould" you describe looks like a lichen to me - you're lucky to have
such clean air!





--
Sally in Shropshire, UK
bed and breakfast near Ludlow: http://www.stonybrook-ludlow.co.uk
Burne-Jones/William Morris window in Shropshire church:
http://www.whitton-stmarys.org.uk

"lowlife" wrote in message
...

hi i really need to find out what this shrub or tree is, as it has mould
on it that probably wants treating. i'll describe it and link 3 photo's
from photobucket (hope that's allowed).

firstly i live in surrey. the soil is clay but well mixed now. the
shrub is about 5 ft high, round in form with grey / brown smooth bark.
the buds are very small and staggered as opposed to pairs, and there
are no leaves on it at this time. on the end of each branch there is a
group of brown open seed pods. the fungi is clustered on the lower
branches and looks like white/pale cyan granules.

i've taken a pic of the tree, the pods and the fungus or whatever it
is

http://tinyurl.com/29ej9r

http://tinyurl.com/22c58j

http://tinyurl.com/2ghxb2

i hope they work. failing that, does anyone know of an online plant
finder?
thanks




--
lowlife

The tree could be Magnolia and I think the stuff on it is probably lichen
(as other posters have already said).

"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" wrote after...

"lowlife" wrote via GB instead of direct
hi i really need to find out what this shrub or tree is, as it has mould
on it that probably wants treating. i'll describe it and link 3 photo's
from photobucket (hope that's allowed).

firstly i live in surrey. the soil is clay but well mixed now. the
shrub is about 5 ft high, round in form with grey / brown smooth bark.
the buds are very small and staggered as opposed to pairs, and there
are no leaves on it at this time. on the end of each branch there is a
group of brown open seed pods. the fungi is clustered on the lower
branches and looks like white/pale cyan granules.

i've taken a pic of the tree, the pods and the fungus or whatever it
is

http://tinyurl.com/29ej9r

http://tinyurl.com/22c58j

http://tinyurl.com/2ghxb2

i hope they work. failing that, does anyone know of an online plant
finder?
thanks


The tree could be Magnolia and I think the stuff on it is probably lichen
(as other posters have already said).

Yes, I too have it on some of my shrubs. You should consider yourself very
lucky that you have lichens in your garden, they only grow in good quality
air and have only made a slow comeback since the Clean Air Act forced people
to use other forms of heating besides coal/wood in London. Cherish it, it's
a fascinating story in itself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichens


--
Regards
Bob H
17mls W. of London.UK

In message , "Rupert (W.Yorkshire)"
writes

The tree could be Magnolia and I think the stuff on it is probably
lichen (as other posters have already said).


The fruit of Magnolia, per Weakley's Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia,
Georgia, and surrounding areas is "a cone-like aggregate, each
follicle dehiscing to reveal the scarlet seed, at first connected to the
follicle by a thread-like strand". Perhaps some non-American Magnolias
don't meet that description, but I doubt that any would have a fruit as
different as that shown.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

On 23/1/07 20:42, in article lid, "Stewart Robert
Hinsley" wrote:

In message , lowlife
writes

hi i really need to find out what this shrub or tree is, as it has mould
on it that probably wants treating. i'll describe it and link 3 photo's
from photobucket (hope that's allowed).

firstly i live in surrey. the soil is clay but well mixed now. the
shrub is about 5 ft high, round in form with grey / brown smooth bark.
the buds are very small and staggered as opposed to pairs, and there
are no leaves on it at this time. on the end of each branch there is a
group of brown open seed pods. the fungi is clustered on the lower
branches and looks like white/pale cyan granules.

With alternate foliage and 5-loculate capsular fruits it could be
Hibiscus syriacus. (H. syriacus doesn't usually fruit in my neck of the
woods, but there's a plant in the town centre with similar looking
fruits, that if I recall correctly is H. syriacus.)

You don't happen to remember what the foliage or flowers look like?

For a selection of pictures of H. syriacus see

http://www.malvaceae.info/Genera/Hibiscus/galleryH.html

We think the pods are too pointed for that and Ray suggests Pseudocamellia
stewartia in which the seed pod is very hard. If it's Fremontodendron we'd
expect it to have foliage on still but you never know! Their seed pods are
furry and quite soft.

From where I sit the fungus look liked lichen, which is harmless, but
it's easy to misinterpret a photograph.

It's almost certainly lichen and will do the plant no harm, so can be safely
left alone. It's a sign of clean air and low pollution, so is to be
welcomed.

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/
(remove weeds from address)

In message , Sacha
writes

With alternate foliage and 5-loculate capsular fruits it could be
Hibiscus syriacus. (H. syriacus doesn't usually fruit in my neck of the
woods, but there's a plant in the town centre with similar looking
fruits, that if I recall correctly is H. syriacus.)

You don't happen to remember what the foliage or flowers look like?

For a selection of pictures of H. syriacus see

http://www.malvaceae.info/Genera/Hibiscus/galleryH.html

We think the pods are too pointed for that and Ray suggests
Pseudocamellia stewartia in which the seed pod is very hard. If it's
Fremontodendron we'd expect it to have foliage on still but you never
know! Their seed pods are furry and quite soft.

I don't know Pseudocamellia stewartia. I'm interpreting the photo as
showing a capsule with 5 locules which have separated, so the capsule as
a whole is quite blunt. I would also interpret the capsule as being
chartaceous (parchment-like) rather than woody. A photograph of the
innards of the capsule might assist identification.

I'm sure that it's not Fremontodendron - there's no sign of the fuzz on
the fruit, and I think the OP would have noticed it elsewhere. I never
got seed out of a Fremontodendron, but the mature fruits of
Fremontodendron are quite hard. Also to describe the Fremontodendron as
furry might lead people astray - the seed hairs are quite stiff -
they're not as bad as cacti, at least not being hooked, but they're
quite capable of penetrating skin. The hairs on other parts of the plant
are irritant.

http://www.malvaceae.info/Genera/Fre.../CalGlory.html
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

On 23/1/07 23:41, in article lid, "Stewart Robert
Hinsley" wrote:

snip

I don't know Pseudocamellia stewartia. I'm interpreting the photo as
showing a capsule with 5 locules which have separated, so the capsule as
a whole is quite blunt. I would also interpret the capsule as being
chartaceous (parchment-like) rather than woody. A photograph of the
innards of the capsule might assist identification.

I'm sure that it's not Fremontodendron - there's no sign of the fuzz on
the fruit, and I think the OP would have noticed it elsewhere. I never
got seed out of a Fremontodendron, but the mature fruits of
Fremontodendron are quite hard. Also to describe the Fremontodendron as
furry might lead people astray - the seed hairs are quite stiff -
they're not as bad as cacti, at least not being hooked, but they're
quite capable of penetrating skin. The hairs on other parts of the plant
are irritant.

http://www.malvaceae.info/Genera/Fre.../CalGlory.html

Fremontodendron pod:
http://tinyurl.com/2h9hcn
(as I said, we think that's unlikely, if only because of the lack of leaves
on the plant)

I can't find a pic of the seed pod of the Stewartia. The plant is unusual
but not rare. The OP didn't give any description of a flower, so I'm
assuming he hasn't seen one yet but obviously that would help a lot.
Perhaps a neighbour would know?

In the pic of the seed pods they look as if they've been hanging around for
a long time and so are rather dried out. It would be interesting to know
what they look like when fresh.

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/
(remove weeds from address)

"lowlife" wrote in message
...

hi i really need to find out what this shrub or tree is, as it has mould
on it that probably wants treating. i'll describe it and link 3 photo's
from photobucket (hope that's allowed).

firstly i live in surrey. the soil is clay but well mixed now. the
shrub is about 5 ft high, round in form with grey / brown smooth bark.
the buds are very small and staggered as opposed to pairs, and there
are no leaves on it at this time. on the end of each branch there is a
group of brown open seed pods. the fungi is clustered on the lower
branches and looks like white/pale cyan granules.

i've taken a pic of the tree, the pods and the fungus or whatever it
is

http://tinyurl.com/29ej9r

http://tinyurl.com/22c58j

http://tinyurl.com/2ghxb2

i hope they work. failing that, does anyone know of an online plant
finder?
thanks
lowlife

Its a type of Hibiscus and the 'mould' looks more like lichen which won't do
the tree any harm.
Jenny

hi well i remembered that i took some photo's to try and help me recognise some of the plants.
unfortunately i am such a novice that i don't know if i've got the right photo.
i took a few foliage shots from some of the plants, so if when you see this you think that it's obviously from another type of plant altogether, then you're probably right.
i seem to remember it having 'nut-tree' type leaves so i think this is the right photo.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...6/DSCN0482.jpg

hope that helps. i still don't recognise it by what's been said here so far, but i appreciate your help and the lichen thing sounds reassuring.
thanks

"lowlife" wrote in message
...

hi well i remembered that i took some photo's to try and help me
recognise some of the plants.
unfortunately i am such a novice that i don't know if i've got the
right photo.
i took a few foliage shots from some of the plants, so if when you see
this you think that it's obviously from another type of plant
altogether, then you're probably right.
i seem to remember it having 'nut-tree' type leaves so i think this is
the right photo.

http://tinyurl.com/25ue3q

hope that helps. i still don't recognise it by what's been said here so
far, but i appreciate your help and the lichen thing sounds reassuring.

thanks

lowlife

Those leaves look like Hazel (Corylus avellana ).I,ve lost the plot on this
one:-)

On 24/1/07 16:05, in article , "Rupert (W.Yorkshire)"
wrote:


"lowlife" wrote in message
...

hi well i remembered that i took some photo's to try and help me
recognise some of the plants.
unfortunately i am such a novice that i don't know if i've got the
right photo.
i took a few foliage shots from some of the plants, so if when you see
this you think that it's obviously from another type of plant
altogether, then you're probably right.
i seem to remember it having 'nut-tree' type leaves so i think this is
the right photo.

http://tinyurl.com/25ue3q

hope that helps. i still don't recognise it by what's been said here so
far, but i appreciate your help and the lichen thing sounds reassuring.

thanks

lowlife

Those leaves look like Hazel (Corylus avellana ).I,ve lost the plot on this
one:-)

Just what I thought. I'm beginning to think that the seed pods belong to
another plant altogether, possibly in front of the probable Hazel.

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/
(remove weeds from address)

"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" writes

"lowlife" wrote in message
...

hi well i remembered that i took some photo's to try and help me
recognise some of the plants.
unfortunately i am such a novice that i don't know if i've got the
right photo.
i took a few foliage shots from some of the plants, so if when you see
this you think that it's obviously from another type of plant
altogether, then you're probably right.
i seem to remember it having 'nut-tree' type leaves so i think this is
the right photo.

http://tinyurl.com/25ue3q

hope that helps. i still don't recognise it by what's been said here so
far, but i appreciate your help and the lichen thing sounds reassuring.

thanks

lowlife

Those leaves look like Hazel (Corylus avellana ).I,ve lost the plot on this
one:-)

Not quite right for hazel (leaf not quite rounded enough) and he did say
he remembered the other bush having 'nut-tree' type leaves! But it's not
Hibiscus or Magnolia


--
Kay

"K" wrote in message
...
"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" writes

"lowlife" wrote in message
...

hi well i remembered that i took some photo's to try and help me
recognise some of the plants.
unfortunately i am such a novice that i don't know if i've got the
right photo.
i took a few foliage shots from some of the plants, so if when you see
this you think that it's obviously from another type of plant
altogether, then you're probably right.
i seem to remember it having 'nut-tree' type leaves so i think this is
the right photo.

http://tinyurl.com/25ue3q

hope that helps. i still don't recognise it by what's been said here so
far, but i appreciate your help and the lichen thing sounds reassuring.

thanks

lowlife

Those leaves look like Hazel (Corylus avellana ).I,ve lost the plot on
this
one:-)

Not quite right for hazel (leaf not quite rounded enough) and he did say
he remembered the other bush having 'nut-tree' type leaves! But it's not
Hibiscus or Magnolia


Kay

Assuming those leaves do not belong to the tree then perhaps the tree/shrub
could be some form of Rhus--perhaps.