What are these trees? - Ask Extension
These are very unusual looking trees. I have only seen them in one area in our county. Would you please tell me what they are? Thank you.
Knowledgebase
What are these trees? #631990
Asked May 06, 2020, 12:19 PM EDT
These are very unusual looking trees. I have only seen them in one area in our county. Would you please tell me what they are? Thank you.
Oceana County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
Thank you for contacting "Ask an Expert!"
These pictures are pretty neat! What unique trees. The trees look like they could be black locust. However, the deformities in the bark are likely caused by a canker, that formed where the lower branches once were. Cankers like these are a natural part of the forest, and won't usually cause a widespread problem.
I'm not certain of the ID. Here is a link to a bulletin on black locust:
https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_rops.pdf
If possible, it might be a good idea to visit the tree again after it has leafed out to get a positive identification. Please send pictures if you do visit it again! I'm interested in the species.
Thank you,
Julie
Thank you for contacting "Ask an Expert!"
These pictures are pretty neat! What unique trees. The trees look like they could be black locust. However, the deformities in the bark are likely caused by a canker, that formed where the lower branches once were. Cankers like these are a natural part of the forest, and won't usually cause a widespread problem.
I'm not certain of the ID. Here is a link to a bulletin on black locust:
https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_rops.pdf
If possible, it might be a good idea to visit the tree again after it has leafed out to get a positive identification. Please send pictures if you do visit it again! I'm interested in the species.
Thank you,
Julie
