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Help Identifying a Tree #801279

Asked July 15, 2022, 10:43 AM EDT

Dear Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, could someone help me in identifying this tree? We have this tree on our property. The tree is covered with long, yellow, powdery flowers in the Spring. Green pods grow in mid summer, turn brown and fall to the ground. The tree has thorns all over it. We have never watered the tree. It is very hardy in full sun.

Harris County Texas

Expert Response

I think it is Tamarindus indica or tamarind tree. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST618

Thanks for the question.
Paul Winski Replied July 15, 2022, 4:29 PM EDT

Dear Paul,

 

Thank you for taking time to answer.  I travel to India a lot for charity work.  In south India, they are crazy for Tamarind.  It is used in cooking, in candies, and even eaten raw off the tree.  There happens to be a south Indian family that lives across the street from us here in Houston.  As per my suspicion, they confirmed this is not tamarind.  It is amazing to see almost identical features in leaves, pods and bark – but not a match!

 

Someone suggested the Acacia tree family.  This also appears to have more than 16 varieties just in Texas.

 

Would appreciate your expert insights to continue trying to identify this strange tree.

 

Best regards,
Mark

 

Brahma Kumaris Texas

Mark Ram

+<personal data hidden>

www.bktexas.com

 

 

 

From: askextension=<personal data hidden> <askextension=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2022 3:29 PM
To: Mark Ram <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Help Identifying a Tree (#0071210)

 

The Question Asker Replied July 18, 2022, 9:54 PM EDT
I've checked with my contacts in the nursery industry, at SFA and the Houston Botanic Garden. Some agree it's a tamarind others think it is either a huisache or a mesquite tree. Take a look at these links and see if the flowers match.
Huisache: http://texastreeid.tamu.edu/content/TreeDetails/?id=1
Mesquite:http://texastreeid.tamu.edu/content/TreeDetails/?id=82
https://www.starnursery.com/product/texas-honey-mesquite-tree

Thanks
Paul Winski Replied July 20, 2022, 2:43 PM EDT

Dear Paul,

 

Thanks for these links.  I will have to confirm the next time the tree blooms.  I did not take any pictures of the last bloom.

 

I am leaning towards Huisache, but only the flowers will tell!

 

Best regards,

Mark

 

 

 

From: askextension=<personal data hidden> <askextension=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2022 1:44 PM
To: Mark Ram <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Help Identifying a Tree (#0071210)

 

The Question Asker Replied July 20, 2022, 3:15 PM EDT

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