These trees have been growing in our side yard for a few years, and I'd like to know what they are. I've tried many websites with identification guid...
Knowledgebase
Tree identification? #768471
Asked August 21, 2021, 3:28 PM EDT
These trees have been growing in our side yard for a few years, and I'd like to know what they are. I've tried many websites with identification guides, to no avail. We call them "the rain trees" but we know that isn't correct. I hope you can help.
Here are the details I have:
Area: Crofton, Maryland
Soil: sandy
Sun: partial sun, partial shade
Introduction: volunteer, probably via bird poop given the straight-ish line, maybe 10 years ago?
Height: currently 10-18 feet (the comparison man in IMG_6112.jpg is 6' tall)
Flowers: none
Berries: none.
Attached are three photographs that show one the largest tree from top to bottom with a 6' person for comparison, the bole of that tree with a ruler, and a typical branch with a ruler. I have additional photographs if you want more details.
The aim is to turn that area into a more pollinator-friendly native plant garden, and the first step is figuring out what's there now.
Thank you very much!
Marian Weems
Anne Arundel CountyMaryland
Expert Response
We think these resemble common persimmon trees (Diospyros virginiana). They are native trees and the fruits/seeds are dispersed by various types of wildlife, so they can show up as volunteers. The bark of older persimmons is very distinctive, dark, and blocky. It might be that your trees are still too young to develop that characteristic. Younger bark is smoother gray and does get orange fissures like yours are showing.
Persimmons get small, inconspicuous white flowers in May-June. They are a "dioecious" species, meaning male and female trees are separate. The females will bear fruit that ripens in the fall.
I would say to keep an eye on them next spring to see if you observe any flowers on the trees -- that will help to confirm the ID.
