No idea on this one

[Brian Ellis]

Dear friends I hope someone can identify this.  We went to Holme Hale Hall for a summer lunch party with the local PH group and saw this tree, nobody seemed to know what it was.  The seed pods were surrounded by a sort of blackish fuzz which you can see on one of the photos and there were several developing seeds inside each pod.  The leaves felt like suede on the upper surface and furry underneath.  We are stumped and would welcome an expert opinion.  TIA

[johnw]

Brian  - I sent the pix to Ron Rabideau formerly of Rarefind Nursery and had a response within milliseconds:

"Looks like Broussonetia papyrifera, Paper Mulberry. Nasty urban weed tree right in my back yard. Luckily mine don't fruit but I have seen fruits at Bartram's Garden. They turn orange.  And sucker like mad. Ron"

In the early 70's there were huge ones lining one of the main historic streets in Williamsburg, Virginia, I admired their stunning bark.  When we were back there around 1999 they were gone.  Love the fruit and doubt they'd be weedy or even flower here.  You'll have to get some seeds if you're back in time.

john

[Brian Ellis]

Many thanks John, we were totally intrigued by it.  The seeds were still developing so plenty of time!  I will pass this on to the others who were equally stumped.

[shelagh]

Whatever it is Brian I notice they all have their hairnets on.  Reminded me of Violet Carson in Coronation Street.

[Brian Ellis]

You're quite right Shelagh, me too!

[uvularia]

The fruit are very tasty Brian!

[Brian Ellis]

I should have tried them, they did look quite juicy at the time but we had partaken of a splendid lunch and tea and cakes was minutes away