Case Of The Stinky Tree: Part Duex

[helpmeplease]

Hello all. I'm glad we had fun this week with this mysterious tree. I have attached several pics for your amusment and wonderment. Let me know if we have any leads.

Detective Stink!

[helpmeplease]

More

[helpmeplease]

Here it is from the window...

[helpmeplease]

Here is a closeup of the "flower" or "fruit" (seed???) - the smell of "you know what" is strongest around these parts.

[DandyLioness]

The leaves look really familiar to me... although the distant shot is not at all what I had in mind. It's a pretty tree.... except for the offensive seeds, or whatever . <_< There MUST be someone in your neighborhood that knows what it is! :rolleyes:

[MrSeedy]

From the look of the flowers and the type of leaves I'd guess that it is some kind of Acacia or at least a related plant like our Robinias or Albizias. Couldn't tell you a specific name however!!

[TransplantShock]

Looks almost like a bay tree...and I know they grow in CA.

[PRH]

Interesting tree,not at all what I had in my mind! Thanks for posting it for us! I'm off to do some research!!!
Phil :-) ;)


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well,I did alittle researchon this and really wasn't able to come - up with very much ( I'm not gonna stop though yet , maybe tonight I'll rest some )!
What I did find looks alittle like a Paw Paw tree ( or in the family ) ! Once in awhile, as that plant ages they begin to get an odor that might describe what you smell. It puzzles me that this really doesn't show any signs of fruit on the tree and that it looks so healthy! ( like I said it might be in the family someplace and I'm really not done doing any research either )! Did you ask anyone nearby if they had any clues as to what it might be? I'm sure that they said something about the smell !
I'll return on this in a few days for an update on what I find!
Phil :-) ;)

[PRH]

helpmeplease -
Well, I've come to this conclusion over your tree after I done more research this morning and into the afternoon. The tree could either be a Bay Tree or a member of the Paw Paw tree family. Sometimes both of these trees get an odor as they age and if you happen to be in the path of some wind hitting them just so, yea,I can see your point now about the smell you talked about! ( I just never heard that expression in all my life )! :lol: Just goes to show that anyone here at BS can find out something that will give you a laugh as well as help ya find some good information to help you with your life!
Glad to have ya aboard this group and I trust that someone soon might have given you some help in this matter!
Take care
Phil :-) ;)

[Rich]

I'll narrow it down a bit.

It is not a bay, the leaves and flowers are wrong.

Strangely, the flowers look the same as those on a grape vine anthough it is obviously not a grape.

Other that that I can't help.

I can't resist.... Is there an "R" missing from the title of this thread. :lol:

[foresterlang]

I'm inclined to agree with whomever suggested carob in the previous thread. Search 'ceratonia siliqua' and see what you think.

[4thOfJulyGal]

Ailanthus altissima ? The leaves on your pic look somewhat different than this, however the description is somewhat similar.

[MaryG]

OK Rich - I gotta ask. What do you mean by an "R" missing from the title of this thread. What's funny? I don't get it.

[helpmeplease]

<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii found it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span>

www.azarboretum.org/ plantlist/carob.htm

it's a MALE carob tree -- see! website says "rather unpleasant smell."


who has one??? :lol: ?

[helpmeplease]

thank you foresterlang!!!!!

[PRH]

helpmeplease -
That was a bugger huh ? Glad you got it solved! ( not only for yourself, but us here around the board to )!!! :lol:
Take care and Good Luck!
Phil :-) ;)

[TransplantShock]

whew! i am glad we figured this out, I was biting my nails over this! :blink:

[Larry the Lamb]

I got some info on that tree:


Query NCU-3e or IPNI
Common Name: Carob, St. John's Bread
Family: Fabaceae Juss.

Country of Origin: Mediterranean region
Habitat: Rocky places near the sea shore
Eco-region(s):
PA1205 - Crete Mediterranean forests - see MAP
PA1206 - Cyprus Mediterranean forests - see MAP
PA1207 - Eastern Mediterranean conifer-sclerophyllous-broadleaf forests - see MAP

Description: Dioecious. This accession is female.
Legend says St. John ate the pods, thus the second common name.

Many plants have a rich history of use throughout time, but few can probably out boast the humble carob tree. It is said that the sweet pulpy fruit pods of the tree were the "locusts" that St. John survived on in the wilderness and thus the name associated with it.

In 1811 and 1812, these pods were the principle food of the British Cavalry during the war and they have been much used for cattle fodder. At one time, the seeds were in high demand by chemists, as singers thought that they cleared the throat. The seeds were even once used by jewelers as the original carat weight. Even medicinal uses have been found for the pods, with laxative and demulcent qualities being associated with them.

The pods are rich in protein and sugar and have often been proclaimed "wholesome for man or beast". The pulp is a valuable sweetener and chocolate substitute and the seeds have even been roasted as a coffee substitute. The seeds and pods can be fermented and distilled, with the drink retaining the appealing flavor of the pods. The seeds ground up produce a protein rich flour that contains no starch or sugar and is ideal for diabetics. A mature tree can produce over 400 pounds of pods and seeds annually.

The tree itself is a native of the East Mediterranean area. It grows to 30 ft. with attractive, shiny green leaves and dark red flowers. It grows very well in dry areas and produces a beautiful wood with a pinkies hue. I have found young plants to be excellent tub specimens for the greenhouse and mature plants are hardy to about 18 degrees. Seeds are relatively easy to germinate. Simply nick the hard outer coating and soak in warm water until swollen. Plant 1" deep in loose, well drained soil and they will normally germinate in about 3-4 weeks.

[MrSeedy]

I must say that even all these years, I never cease to be almost amazed by various plants and the many ways they can be used, and surprisingly even as subsitutes in areas where better known ones with similar uses and flavors are difficult of impossible to grow. We can't grow "cane" sugar here, but I guess it's a good thing we've found a use for sugar beets, and those are a big crop in this very cold (during winter) state. It wasn't til recently as well that I found out that hemp or commonly (marijuana) was used for something other than rope or smoking, being that it's found to be very useful in manufacturing clothing as well from the stem fibers.