genus ID

[butlern]

Anyone have any guesses at what this might be?

Growing in an alley behind my house in eastern Iowa:

 

[butlern]

Really I'm asking because I dug it's neighbor up this spring and I have this going on right now (I'm not sure if it's only worthy of the trash can, or if it could be fun to play with).

 

[rodeolthr]

perhaps Buckthorn......rhamnus cathartica

 

[CasAH]

Privet

 

[butlern]

I am sort of hoping for either honeysuckle or privet. Since I just moved here this winter, and have no idea what to expect from these trees that are leafing out now.

I suppose time will tell if the potted example stays the course.

Thanks for feedback. Still open to guesses, though.

 

[M. Frary]

Foeminus

 

[zelk]

privet, cant remember if korean or the other one LOL

 

[butlern]

Confirmed Ligustrum, very closely related to the rare and beautiful Foeminus, yes.

 

[Waltron]

its a buckthorn.

 

[butlern]

I thought buckthorn leaves have fuzzy (red or grey) undersides and leaf clusters do not elongate on annual growth stalks.

Hmmmm.

Here are pictures of the more advanced growth on neighboring trees of same genus and species (I have to assume, given their proximity).

Seems like privet to me. But honestly, either way, "the stump" is coming along and appears as though it will live (at least it's looking good and growing still a week after collection.. just hope it's not simply pushing growth based on "reserves"). Time will tell.

 

[butlern]

here is a picture of some bona fide buckthorn taken from web:

 

[sorce]

Though I've seen chemicals deform buckthorn...
And being from the alley, oil, garbage, has, etc, may have it affected....

The bark just doesn't say Buckthorn.

Stick with Foemina and treat it like one!

Sorce

 

[Waltron]

ok I was wrong ill own that, yea that's not buck thorn, there are two kinds of buck thorn, but both have broader leaves. darker bark. For some reason im unfamiliar with privet, seems like im the only one.

 

[Dorky_gearhead]

Interesting trunk with that scar running down

 

[sorce]

privet

I missed that confirmation too...

Funny thing....

I walked by a privet yesterday and .....
Ooohhh!

Prevails!

I'd rather have a Buckthorn!

Sorce

 

[butlern]

about 1.5 months after collection, the Ligustrum is growing strong. I'll soon get some movement into the new leader and other branches before they start to lignify.