Another 'Mystery Tree' Identification assistance

[mark james]

I have walked past this tree many times the past 30 years, but did not take notice until this past summer.

In South/Southern Ohio - Washington Court House, Ohio. The house is 1893 vintage. I suspect it was a bush/ornamental tree planted many years ago, after the cement border was poured. I chatted with the home owner several months ago, and she indicated she has lived here the last 43 years and it was there before her.

She said she hated it as it was messy and had contracted it to be removed this fall. . An offer to assist or reimburse her for some of the limbs was refused, but several pens were readily accepted for what I wanted!! She was stunned that anyone would make pens out of a tree limb . Weeks later when I retrieved what the arborist left, she indicated her friends thought I was nuts... I said my wife will confirm that notion.

I have searched all my available typical sources, and the bark is beyond me - very unusual. It was still leafed out, had red berries this fall, and indeed was messy. About 20' in height, maybe 10" in diameter at the base, and just interesting.

I have cut a bit up and waxed the ends, and is more plain that I suspected, but time will tell. Moisture content is about 18% last week, so it will sit over the winter.

Any thoughts?

 

[jjjaworski]

I am sure someone will be a help in identifying this since you are supplying lots of information to key it out with leaf and bark photos.
A bit surprised the arborist didn't have an opinion on this, but it just could be unusual for your area .

 

[monophoto]

I looked through my Audubon Society tree book, but couldn't find anything that looked like this.

But whatever it is, it looks like that is another one closer to the house (on the left in the main picture). Given what its doing that that concrete wall, I would be concerned about the other one interacting with the foundation under the house.

 

[jeff]

I'll go out on a limb and say that is a very old honeysuckle.

Amur Honeysuckle

A deciduous shrub from the Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae) Zone: 3-8 Growth Rate: Rapid Mature Spread: 15' Mature Height: 15’ Shape: Arching Sunlight: Full sun to full shade Soil Type: adaptable

ohiodnr.gov

 

[leehljp]

The bark reminds me of honeysuckle but I haven't seen one THAT big.

WOW, just as I posted that, Jeff posted his findings!

 

[egnald]

I agree that it looks like honeysuckle. Honeysuckle does have a somewhat shaggy bark and it does produce red berries. The twigs often have a hollow pith, kind of like one of the pictures and they can be very vine-like rather than having a more singular trunk. It is still just a guess! - Dave

 

[mark james]

I'll go out on a limb and say that is a very old honeysuckle.

Amur Honeysuckle

A deciduous shrub from the Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae) Zone: 3-8 Growth Rate: Rapid Mature Spread: 15' Mature Height: 15’ Shape: Arching Sunlight: Full sun to full shade Soil Type: adaptable

ohiodnr.gov

The bark reminds me of honeysuckle but I haven't seen one THAT big.

WOW, just as I posted that, Jeff posted his findings!

I agree that it looks like honeysuckle. Honeysuckle does have a somewhat shaggy bark and it does produce red berries. The twigs often have a hollow pith, kind of like one of the pictures and they can be very vine-like rather than having a more singular trunk. It is still just a guess! - Dave

Darn, but you guys are good! Everything I see is in agreement. And as a coincidence, this species is being extensively cut and removed from the farmland in this county. Much thanks!

 

[sorcerertd]

Wow, I've never seen honeysuckle that big. We had some maybe 4' tall next to our garage when we lived in Dayton. Sounds like they are almost as annoying in OH and mesquite is in TX. At least the mesquite smoke imparts good flavor. Can't wait to see what that becomes after it's dried.

 

[jrista]

This the same kind of tree.shrub?

 

[crokett]

I would also have said a very overgrown honeysuckle. A friend of mine growing up had one. What diameter were those logs? I might have tried to make some small bowls out of them looking at the end grain figure.