I hope you Texans can help me! I have seen a tree around San Antonio that is just beautiful. It doesn't look like it lost it's leaves over the winter because they are full of leaves right now in a bright (almost lime colored) green, it looks so fresh!!! I don't have a picture of it and haven't been up close, but I've seen them dotted around the landscape here and wondered what they are! I thought the color was similar to mesquites but they aren't multi-trunked like that. And many of these trees seem to be up to 30 ' tall. If you could name a few varieties I can compare pictures of them online and figure out what it is. Wish I could scan a pic!
Thanks for your help in advance.
This message was edited Jun 2, 2006 4:23 PM
Name That Tree
Aimee,
Around here the huisache loses it leaves. The new growth, however is fresh lime green as you describe. I don't think they get that big though.
Veronica
Veronica, if this is the tree you are thinking I guess it replenishes is leaves before all other trees? The one I am seeing is fully covered.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/31848/index.html Is this the one you were describing bettydee?
Yes, Sheila, it was. Besides mesquite, it is the only one I know that leafs out in a bright limy green color. All the huisache around here were bare until recently. Some trees are behaving uncharacteristicly. Our live oaks are just now losing the leaves they should have dropped early February. I have a number of low chill apple trees that didn't lose all their leaves...
Does it have acacia-like leaves? Huisache IS usually multitrunked and 20 feet is about all it ever gets up to in height. If you really want to know what it is, stop somewhere near one and go look at it close-up (watch out for thorns). That way you can describe it better for us or maybe post a pic.
Linda, I will try to get up close to a speciman.
Plucked some leaves from the tree, wish I could send a pic but I don't have the right stuff to do so. It wasn't as tall as I'd thought, I guess maybe 20' or so. The leaves are oval and slightly pointed, they are small, about 2" across and a bright grass green. They are very smooth. Goll, this tree is just so pretty....I would love to know what it is and plant some!
Pluck a branch, place it in a baggie to keep it from drying and take it to your local extension service agent. Here's the link to the Bexar County Extension Office with phone number and address:
http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/
Good Luck
I am getting the impression by your description of the leaves that it may be the Mt. Laurel. Take a look at the pictures of just the leaves, since you haven't see it in the blooming seasons.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/65980/
Well, so many plants have beautiful foliage in spring! One of my favorites is the mesquite...SO lovely right now! But of course that's not the one. So many pretty trees in spring. Do the leaves have smooth edges or toothed? Hmmm. My larger mountain laurels are blooming right now and I think the leaves look kind of slightly dark green? I just love the grape koolaid fragrance when they bloom!
You are right Linda, they do bloom early, and would especially down in SA. I just haven't noticed any blooming here yet. But then, we don't have as many as STX does.
Sorry guys, it's not a mountain laurel for sure. those are darker trunks/leaves, and the trunks are winding like an oak. and i have seen laurels blooming all over the place....these trees with the bright green leaves, they have no blooms. thanks for the tip about the ext agency, i might have to try that one!
There's one other resource for San Antonio people that some don't know about. Texas Parks & Wildlife has an Urban Biologist at their San Antonio office. Number is 210-348-6350.
Linda,
Thanks so much for the phone number! You guys have been really great about this. =)
This message was edited Jun 2, 2006 4:23 PM