Colorado’s Japanese Lilac

[Dav4]

I used a Colorado State Extension landscape tree identification algorithm and it suggests that this is a Japanese Tree Lilac, syringa reticulata:
View attachment 445730
View attachment 445731

I then looked up the leaves and bark on Google images and it looks pretty accurate:
View attachment 445732

What do you guys think?!

Could be but the leaves of your tree aren’t as pointed as in the description. Apparently, apples/pears/prunus have alternate leaves so it isn’t those.

 

[Hartinez]

Haha I wish I did! I’m no bueno with tree ids

I don’t know if I do either! Ha

Any other ideas?

 

[Potawatomi13]

Agreed neither opposite leaves, leaf shape nor bark appear as apple family. First thought was maybe Lilac but not betting on it. See what transpires come spring. Maybe flowers?

 

[rockm]

I'd have guessed Bradford pear, but the leaves on that (as well as apples) have serrated edges. In bradford pears, the serration is slight, but it's there. Bradford pears are extremely common as invasives. Wouldn't bet heavily on Japanese or other lilac either, although that's closer...

 

[Colorado]

I'd have guessed Bradford pear, but the leaves on that (as well as apples) have serrated edges. In bradford pears, the serration is slight, but it's there. Bradford pears are extremely common as invasives. Wouldn't bet heavily on Japanese or other lilac either, although that's closer...

I thought pear also, but pear have alternating leaves!

The mystery continues….

Maybe will need to see flowers for definitive ID.

 

[rodeolthr]

I was also going to offer syringa reticulata, before you suggested it because of your research. If you do a search for images of leaves, it appears that there's quite a bit of variability in the "pointiness" of the leaves. The bark looks very similar as well. I was just in my hometown in northern Wyoming, where these are being used as small street trees, and they were in full bloom......beautiful

 

[Colorado]

I was also going to offer syringa reticulata, before you suggested it because of your research. If you do a search for images of leaves, it appears that there's quite a bit of variability in the "pointiness" of the leaves. The bark looks very similar as well. I was just in my hometown in northern Wyoming, where these are being used as small street trees, and they were in full bloom......beautiful

Thanks for the insight! I agree on the bark, apparently prominent horizontal lenticels similar in appearance to cherry are a characteristic.

At this point I am almost positive that it is syringa reticulata, but will need to see flowers to confirm.

Sounds like they are very cold hardy if used as street trees in Wyoming

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Lilac, viburnum, and dogwoods all have opposite leaves. Viburnum leaves tend to have serrated edges, the others, dogwood and the lilacs, tree lilac, and other lilacs have smooth leaf edges.

 

[rockm]

Lilac, viburnum, and dogwoods all have opposite leaves. Viburnum leaves tend to have serrated edges, the others, dogwood and the lilacs, tree lilac, and other lilacs have smooth leaf edges.

An outside possibility could be Kousa Dogwood (Japanese dogwood). Fairly common landscape tree. Don't know if this fits the bill exactly, but there's a resemblance

 

[Colorado]

This mystery tree is settling into my garden very nicely. I did a little pruning on it earlier this summer, mostly just to make sure It would be a manageable size to move it in and out of winter storage if necessary. It responded with copious back buds all over the tree and trunk!


I am now feeling very confident that the tree is healthy enough for an aggressive repot in the spring. Now just need to find a pot….

 

[nuttiest]

what does a buckthorn trunk look like? leaves are similar

 

[Colorado]

what does a buckthorn trunk look like? leaves are similar

Leaves do look similar, but it appears buckthorn have finely serrated edges while the edges of my tree’s leaves are smooth. Thanks for the input though!

 

[Colorado]

Well, I splurged a bit and purchased a pot that I hope to pair with this tree

It is a Ron Heinen. 16”x11”






Thoughts? I am also planning to make a slightly bigger and deeper pot to have as a backup in case this one is too small.

But I think the tree would look great in this pot. Tree has some hollows and deadwood that I want to see paired with the mushikui “erosion” on the pot…and hopefully flowers…

 

[Colorado]

I am now reasonably certain that this is a Japanese Tree Lilac, syringa reticulata.

There are a number of this species planted in a park nearby with botanical labels. The buds are a perfect match, and also the timing for bud break is matching my tree exactly!

My tree:



Park tree:

 

[Colorado]

I also bought this Harumatsu container for it, I think the Ron Heinen above will be too shallow:



Now I am just waiting for the new pot to arrive so that I can repot this tree! I moved it to the shade to try to slow it down until the pot arrives in the mail

 

[Colorado]

@Bonsai Nut is it possible to change the name of this thread to accurately represent the species, or would I need to just start a new thread?

 

[rodeolthr]

Thanks for the insight! I agree on the bark, apparently prominent horizontal lenticels similar in appearance to cherry are a characteristic.

At this point I am almost positive that it is syringa reticulata, but will need to see flowers to confirm.

Sounds like they are very cold hardy if used as street trees in Wyoming

Sorry that I didn't see this before you added to your post. Yes, from my understanding they are hardy to zone 3

 

[Colorado]

This one started to leaf out while I was waiting for the pot to arrive! I repotted it a few days ago. The root mass was a solid block of roots - I’d bet that it hadn’t been repotted in at least 4 or 5 years. Took me like 3 hours!




Got it down to a nice root ball that I was comfortable with. I didn’t bare root by washing with a hose, but I will do that at the next repot.



Potted up into this 16” Harumatsu in 2:1 akadama to pumice and topped with sphagnum.




Planning to hit it with wire later this year!

 

[Colorado]

Big lilac in the garden

 

[Hartinez]

Big lilac in the garden

View attachment 484748

Holy shit. How is that 2 1/2 weeks difference.