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Tree identification please?

ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
in Plants
Trying to identify two trees in our garden. One is a very overgrown conifer type, I suspect Leylandii, can anyone confirm this?
The other has a very lined bark on the trunk, ie not smooth, I was wondering if it could be a hornbeam? All our other trees are oak, beech and birch.
Grateful for any help.

Posts

  • EmerionEmerion Posts: 599
    A picture of both trees might help, sometimes the shape gives a clue. That certainly looks like our leylandii, but I don’t know much about conifers. 
    Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.


  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    The first image is a goat willow, Salix caprea. It will get huge if left to its own devices.
    https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/goat-willow/
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    The conifer might possibly be thuja. Does it have a pineapple type smell when crushed or cut ?
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    Thanks for the suggestions. I hadn’t thought of goat willow, but now pretty certain that is what it is. It is already huge, and the main trunks are growing horizontally rather than upright, and all the branches are hanging over a street light. It may have to go.
    The conifer has shot up in between a Scots Pine and a mature birch tree. I’ll do a crush and sniff test after lunch. I’ve been shredding cherry Laurel prunings this morning, and now have a strange craving for some marzipan!
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    Didn’t think it smelt like pineapple. Quite aromatic though, like a chemical mixed with pine. The leaf description for thuja seemed similar though.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Smell is very subjective so it might be thuja (or it might not !). Our hedge is thuja so l can't advise if leylandii has a particular smell. I know thuja can feel quite waxy. I would go out and have another sniff, but it's dark now and the neighbours already think l'm a bit batty 😳
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Looks very much like Thuja plicata , the so called 'Western Red-Cedar') .
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