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What the heck is this tree?

2,985 Views | 28 Replies | Last: 12 yr ago by TXScorpio1111
Sean98
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I've been trying my best to catalog all of the trees on my place. Honestly I'm pretty happy with the overall diversity. But today I stumbled on a tree that I'm not sure what it is.



Frankly, I'm not even sure how to describe it for google to be my friend.

It looks similar to a sassafras leaf, but not quite. And it doesn't seem to grow here in NE Kansas. Close, but not quite.
Max06
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Looks a lot like fig to me.
rather be fishing
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I'd probably guess fig as well. Any old homesteads around that it could be associated with?

[This message has been edited by Rather be fishing (edited 6/14/2014 8:52p).]
TXScorpio1111
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Looks to be a leaf morph on a mulberry tree, IMO.
Sean98
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I'll take another look at it when I get a chance. I think its too big to be a fig based on what I'm reading. This is a BIG tree. 30-35" in diameter.

I'll have to see if its putting on any sort of fruit, but I didn't see any today. It's in pretty rough shape so maybe it's just too stressed to produce now.
Birddog
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Google sasafras tree and see if it matches??
BlueMiles
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My thought was sassafras, as well.
MouthBQ98
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With those toothed edges, it is definitely a mulberry, either white or paperbark. The mulberry can have 3 to 5 deep lobes like that.
rather be fishing
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Leaves can be finicky for IDing, but sassafras is usually 3 lobes and fig is usually 5. Sassafras range is looks like it creeps in the the southeastern corner of Kansas, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that you could have a random one that was seed transported up that direction.
MouthBQ98
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Sassafras always has smooth leaf edges.
ursusguy
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Agree with mulberry
BreNayPop
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Obligatory dikfir.
BackwardsInBoots
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All the mulberry trees I've ever seen have been fairly small and had leaves like this.

swampstander
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Not a sassafras.
MemphisAg1
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Hard to tell for sure without seeing the rest of the tree, but I'd guess mulberry.
GeronimoAg
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Looks like a Mulberry. Hard to tell from the pic, but Mulberry leaves will have sawtooth serations along the leaf margins (edges).

Fig leaves will have smoother margins, the leaves are thick and usually have very pronounced almost white midribs (main leaf veins).
rather be fishing
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I'm in the same boat as backwards, I can't think of a time I ever saw a mulberry that had lobed leaves.
Tree Hugger
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Juvenile mulberry will have lobes, but usually not an adult tree
MouthBQ98
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I've got an Audubon tree identification book, and it shows pictures of mulberry leaves with and without lobes, and says they can have up to 5 deep lobes.
rather be fishing
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Tree and Mouth, that would make a lot of sense.

Man I'm terrible with plant ID.
rather be fishing
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I also don't think I've seen a mulberry leaf as big as the one Sean posted. Is that kind of leaf size common with an eastern variant?
ursusguy
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Red mulberry...native to Kansas...apparently the "acuminate" (the skinny tip at the end of the lobe) is only found in this particular species of mulberry. They also have huge leaves.
rather be fishing
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ursus, do the black panthers forage on the mulberries?
BlueMiles
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I learned somethin
sunchaser
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Morus Alba
Sean98
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quote:
Red mulberry...native to Kansas...apparently the "acuminate" (the skinny tip at the end of the lobe) is only found in this particular species of mulberry. They also have huge leaves.


Yep. Big leaves. As big or bigger than my hand.

Sounds like we have a winner.
BigGameAg07
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Mulberry
FrAgOlRock
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I have the same tree in my back yard. It's a Mulberry.
scottimus
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Mullberry leaf morphology can also alter depending on light availability.
TXScorpio1111
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Do I win a prize for "Name that leaf" on that one???
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