AusBonsai

Hi Watto,
European beech do shoot back they are very popular as hedging plants in the UK and Europe. But they don't bud back as freely as fagus crenata does on old wood. Also european beech seem to have a very short growing period. I have noticed that my Japanese beech are still throwing out new growth now in late feb. This tendency to grow for a much longer period makes good branch ramification much easier to achieve.
Craig

Craig,
Thanks for that info. The tree I dug was quite big, maybe huge depending on your definition. It currently grows in a very large wooden box but I am thinking it is nearly time to start "proper" work on it. I have trimmed it a couple of times with the chainsaw and it seems to bud back OK - but you hardly get good ramification from a chainsaw trim. Its a bit late now, and I'm busy tomorrow, but if I get a chance on Sunday I will take a photo and ask for some advice form the knowledgeable folk.
Watto

Here is a photo, but I post it with a bit of embarrassment as I now think this is probably a european hornbeam, maybe someone could advise either way. It has a trunk width of about 220mm and stands about 1400mm tall.

Hi Watto.
Its certainly not beech and if its hornbeam I don't know which one the leaves seem a bit smooth for carpinus betula. You may have to get Brett on to the case he loves hornbeam and would be able to identify it for you. Looks like a tree with heaps of potential whatever it is.
Craig

Thanks Craig. When you dig trees from the scrub you are not always 100% sure what you are digging. If Brett is looking, I have attached a close up photo of the leaves that may assist in the ID.
Thanks in advance.

Hi Watto, this tree is definitely neither Beech or 'Beam, it is ringing a bell, but I just can't put a name to it. It'll come to me....eventually

Cheers
Mojo Moyogi

could it be parotia ?

Took me a while to wonder what Ya's where talking about in here

Not sure about the leaf but the branch texture makes me think Alder. I would have been beating down your door Watto if you had found Beech or Hornbeam to collect

Thanks for your help guys, so far I have now ruled out beech, hornbeam & parrotia. Alder is still in the mix, but I have reservations. Looks like I will have to do a bit more research - which I probably should have done prior to shooting my mouth off!!!!

I'm having another guess at Black Birch (Betula lenta). The tree fits the description so that's a start. What do you think?

Hi Watto,

I'm with Brett....my guess is Alnus cordata (Italian Alder)......IF, it is totally deciduous!!!!

I have had this cultivar in my past....

Liz

Nice one Liz Alnus cordata looks dam close.

Liz - thanks for your help, I think you are on a winner. It is totally decidious, and I have seen the male catkins, but no female bits as yet. However I have only had it for about 20 months and I keep attacking it with the chainsaw so hopefully I will get to see all the trees glories in the coming years.
The plan is to get it down to a managable size, get it into a much smaller pot and start to work on the design, and especially the leaf reduction (I hope the leaf size does reduce?).
Thanks everyone for your help, and especially Liz and Brett. With a bit of luck I might be able to do a progression post on this over the coming years.