I need help in identifying a tree...

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 6:34pm

Can any one help my to identify this tree? I have gone all over the web and can’t seem to find an answer. It’s right outside my window, is about 40ish feet tall and it blooms pink flowers (None of which are on the tree now). It’s now bearing some sort of fruit that looks like HUGE avocados (but it’s not an avocado tree) or Mango’s. The trunk is covered in huge thorns like on a rose bush (See pictures below)





Trunk:

[artscallion]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 6:45pm

I don't know what it is. But it's definitely not avocado, mango or papaya.

[AbbaRabbit]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 6:49pm

if you cut open the fruit, what color is it on the inside?

[artscallion]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 6:50pm

Is it a silk floss tree, maybe?
"Vicious looking thorns cover the trunk. Fruit pods the size of big avocados appear in spring, may hang on for months before splitting open and revealing their cottony contents"

http://tinyurl.com/7jmy5a

Updated On: 12/23/08 at 06:50 PM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 6:54pm

I haven't seen the inside of the pod (They are too far up for me to get at) but that does sound like it.

I may have to get a ladder and a stick...

[jaystarr]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 8:36pm

The only way to properly identify a tree or a plant is by its LEAF (Systematic Botany) Can you post the photo of a single leaf? (btw- I was a Biology major in College /pre-med two hundred years ago. LOL)

J*

Updated On: 12/23/08 at 08:36 PM

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 9:20pm

I may have to get a ladder and a stick...

That makes for a hilarious image.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 9:45pm

Jay,

Aren't those pictures big enough that you can see the leaves?

"...the leaflets of which are shaped like fingers on a hand."

Just like in the pictures...

[Elphaba]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 11:37pm

oh Diva, get on your ladder and take te stick and whack a leaf off...AND film it for us!

[lusciouslace]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 11:40pm

I believe artscallion is 100% right on. I did a google image search of the silk floss tree and it looks exactly like that. Good job artscallion!

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 11:40pm

Nice av!

And it's too dark at this point for stick wacking.

[lusciouslace]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 11:46pm

Diva- I thought that's when stick whacking was supposed to happen...in the dark. :)

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 11:57pm

I like to watch...

I'll see if I can get one down tomorrow.

[lusciouslace]

Posted: 12/24/08 at 12:06am

Hahaha...I guess you do need light for that then. :)

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/24/08 at 12:11am

Hell, I'm not falling off a ladder in the dark.

Probably break a hip or something...