[ID] required

[squizzy]

Hi all,

I have recently come across a few of these trees in sydneys inner west and was hoping for some ideas as to its ID.

I think it looks like a redwood but I am very unfamiliar with these trees so I cannot be sure.

I have some seed that I have collected in anticipation of planting some.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Squizz

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[alpineart]

Hi Squizzy , mate it looks like a young Sequoidendron Giganteum or a Sequoa Sempervirens to me . Do a google and you should be able to nail it down to One of these 2 Redwoods .

Cheers Alpineart

[Hackimoto]

Have you thought it might be a taxodium (Swampy) growing in a dryer area?

[squizzy]

Hi Alpine,

Thanks for that.

I am unsure of the species still but would you say Metasequoia glyptostroboides is a possibility?

It seems to have a few distinct features of the particular tree and this tree seems to be turning in colour which makes me wonder if its deciduos. I am not sure if the others are?

Anyway here is som interesting reading

http://suite101.com/article/identifying ... es-a140102

Cheers

Squizz

[squizzy]

Hi Hackimoto,

I was of the opinion that taxodiums leaves are alternating so I ruled that out.

Am I wrong?

Cheers

Squizz

[chrisatrocky]

its a swampy, and no the leaves are not alternating.

chris

[squizzy]

Hi Chris

do you mean taxodiums dont have alternate leaves or this photo doesnt.

I always like an explanation for a guess and not just an answer sorry. Its just how I like to work.

Cheers

Squizz

[alpineart]

Hi Squizzy , i only prompted you to look a bit harder .

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From left to right , Sequoia Sempervirens - Coastal Redwood - alternating , Metasequoia Glyptostroboides-Dawn Redwood opposite , Taxodium Distictchem Swamp Cypress staggered and alternating .The foliage in the pick looks rather harse for a Dawn Redwood , but your closer Squizzy .

Cheers Alpine

[squizzy]

Thank you again alpine. As allways you are a wealth of knowledge.

I knew what you were doing alpine I just wanted some thoughts on what distinguished one species from another as these species are a little tricky again for my mind. I had already googled before posting but I was just after some opinions really.

I sort of get why people think its a swampy but as its all new to me I am not keen just to say ok and move on. One thing I did notice is the cones almost disintigrated as I plucked them from the tree. Is this typical of only one species from any body elses experience. The cones are approx 20mm round. I have noticed the other species show larger cones. I also think the floiage is opposite but its not uniformly opposite if that makes sense.

The floiage seems much finer than taxodiums which I have seen before and very hard looking.

I will keep looking myself but would love any other info that people are willing to put forward.

By the way I am not disagreeing with taxodium I am just not totally convinced yet.

Thanks for all the help guys.

Squizz

[Hackimoto]

Just reading between the lines, you say that you have found a few of these trees around Sydney's inner western suburbs. The other species that you mentioned are not common ones to be found around people's backyards, they are more likely to be found in botanic gardens or in collectors' gardens with acreage to plant them. I doubt if you would find several of any of those species in the inner western suburbs of Sydney. Just I still go with Swampys. Do you mind telling us which "inner west suburb " they are in?

[alpineart]

Hi Squizzy , mate those cones are very unusual , i can't say i have come across them . Then again i have yet to see a Swampy in the flesh only the young ones i have here . As with all I'D's you need bark , foliage , cones and growth habit , but and its a big but , each area can and will produce differences in all the triats , cones are very rare to change only in size not in shape . The cones are representive of the Swampy and not so of a redwood as Hackimoto has said . Keep looking mate .

Cheers Alpine

[squizzy]

Thanks Hackimoto and Alpine,

Hackimoto I have seen another tree very similar to this in Ashfield and this one resides in Strathfield. I have seen Taxodiums before but with a much different charactor. I guess they have always looked more soft and feathery like in the growth and not as pendulous if that makes sense. I can also see evidence of this one having opposite buds and leaves which is what had lead me away from Taxodium in the first place.It may be that this is just more coarse growth due to it being in a dry position as you have said.

Reading back Chris at rocky has said they do not have alternating leaves but alpine agrees with me that they do so I am somewhat confused. I tend to trust my judgement and feel they do alternate or swirl but maybe these buds you can see in the photo do that just slightly. What is your opinion on altenating or opposite leaves for this species.

Cheers

Squizz

[Hackimoto]

I just had a look at all my swampys, take your pick, they have alternate, opposite, whirled and paired all on the one tree. The majority are alternate though. All that I can see when I look at the close up of that tree is a swampy.

[squizzy]

Hi Hackimoto,

You obviously believe its a taxodium but can you give me a clue as to why you think its that over the others or is it just because you think the redwoods would not likely be growing in sydneys inner west. I have only had you guess so far but you have given no reason for it?

I am not being stubborn I just like to learn as I go.

Squizz

[chrisatrocky]

A swamp cypress has a compound leaf, what you are talking about is the leaflets which are attatched to the spine of the actual leaf and most times these are arranged in a alternate pattern but not always. The actual leaf is the entire thing. and they don't grow in an alternate pattern they are more likely in clusters ot 2-3 leaves.
This is a compound leaf, made up of the spin and leaflets

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a S. giganteum fruiting cone

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a S.sempervirens fruiting cone notice they hang from the end of the branch

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and fruiting cones of Taxodium distichum

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.
I think the cone pics will prove what it is

chris