Does anybody recognize this tree

[SoloBoy]

Its in my back garden and it blocks out 85% of the light in mid summer.Could be hard to tell with no foliage though.
http://img430.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf00613qt.jpg
http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf00629pz.jpg
http://img125.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf00636dh.jpg
http://img342.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf00645ee.jpg
So should it stay or should it go??

 

[torjusg]

I believe at a glance that it is a maple. My guess would be acer pseudoplatanus.

Torjus Gaaren

 

[SoloBoy]

Great thanks torjusg,can it be tapped then? Feel a bit guilty about cutting it down,but it is a sunblocker.Am i doing the right thing?

 

[torjusg]

I don't think this specie is very tappable, but I have no experience with tapping maple trees. I have little experience with it at all. This tree seems quite abused, so I would have cut it. It seems like there are some good ladles in some of those bends.

Torjus Gaaren

 

[rich59]

Is all that shiny stuff the sap running from wounds? What are the leaf shapes like?

Looks like it has sap to spare.

 

[SoloBoy]

Sorry rich but its rain,and the leaf shapes are pretty much like this but not the redness like the 3nd picture shows http://www.plant-identification.co.uk/skye/aceraceae/acer-pseudoplatanus.htm

And torjusg what is a landle? Please exuse my ignorance

How sad,I've lived here 2 years and dont know whats in my back garden :theyareon

 

[Don Redondo]

I'll put on my proffesional hat here.

It looks like a badly pruned sycamore, in need of re-pollarding.

Don't automatically fell it or wade in and hack it back, you need to check with your local council planning section, and ask whether your address is in a 'conservation area' or whether the tree is covered by a preservation order [TPO], or if there are any planning conditions.

remember felling a tree that is subject to either conservation area or TPO restrictions without first gaining permission from the local planning authority is a criminal offence..... even a specimen as butchered as that!

If all is well, then get hold of a decent tree surgeon who can re shape the tree so you end up with something that wont shade out the whole garden, but will provide dappled shade when you most want it. Dont forget also that trees take time and a decent sized tree would cost upward of £2K to provide and plant, and that trees will increase tha value of the house, let alone the work they do in cleaning the air you breathe and give you all those positive ions. Cut it and you'll miss it.

 

[SoloBoy]

Please Ron put your proffesional hat on here .Thanks, im onto the council first thing.Will let you know what they and the missus say

 

[Keith_Beef]

It looks to me very much like a horse chestnut.

Long pale green shoots at the end of old branches would be last years new growth, with buds of tightly curled leaves oozing sticky sap in early spring.

http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=horse+chestnut+winter&btnG=Search
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=horse chestnut leaves&btnG=Google+Search&sa=N&tab=wi


K.

 

[hawsome34]

Hi

I have to agree with Don Redondo,

Not cause I have great knowledge, but, the buds, are twig are a dead give away that its sycamore, also the bark is that of a youngish sycamore.

My only advice if you do keep it, is to also plant eucalyptus(sp) which will help reduce the amount of midges/ knats that are there, as the eucalyptus is a natural insect repellent. Also if you get the right species, your able to polish the bark to give a really attractive shiny trunk.

If you cut it, plant at least another 3 dwarf species to retain the air quality around you.

 

[BorderReiver]

Small point,isn't it a tad close to the house? I'm thinking structural damage here from the roots.

 

[Goose]

Soloboy, did you see it in summer /autumn?
Sycamore leaves are pointy leaves like maple(look on the canadian flag) but the "fingers" are a bit stubbier, also sycamore seeds are helicoptor type, two seeds together with wings on.

 

[SoloBoy]

Gutted, cant believe I have not got any digi pictures of tree in full bloom,it does rain small helicopters though.I can improvise Goose and get a dead leaf,if thats any help

 

[Don Redondo]

Small point,isn't it a tad close to the house? I'm thinking structural damage here from the roots.

unless you live in an area of shrikable clay soil, or you're house is totally crap, subsidence is'nt much of a problem in NW England and Wales, don't believe what you read in the paper, call in an arborist [not a structural engineer ]

 

[SoloBoy]

http://img317.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf00665zq.jpg buds
http://img220.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf00674ca.jpg top of leaf
http://img113.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf00705lx.jpg bottom of leaf
thanks ahjno

 

[Goose]

Sycamore.
Plus extra text to make message long enough

 

[SoloBoy]

Thanks Goose,now! can a sycamore be tapped or are there any toxins in it?

 

[Wayne]

You could tap it. But your not going to get decent sap like our american cousins get from their maples. You might be a bit late with that tree too.

 

[Goose]

Thanks Goose,now! can a sycamore be tapped or are there any toxins in it?

No idea! I know next to newt about trees really, just know sycamores, they are weeds around here!

 

[NickC]

Yes it is a badly pruned Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus). You can tell by he lime green buds. Dont waste your time collecting sap it as its not the same thing as the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum). Get professional advise.

call in an arborist

Nick