Mystery leguminous tree

[johnw]

A friend sent me these pictures and asked if could identify it.  I am drawing a complete blank.  Anyone care to have a go?

john

[Hoy]

What about Laburnum (anagyroides)?

[Jupiter]

Flowers will clear it up John. You'll have to be patient!

[johnw]

What about Laburnum (anagyroides)?

Hoy

That was my first thought until I saw the bark and the size and shape of the trunk.  What I recall of Laburnum trunks is smooth, olive green with lenticels.  These big shaggy slabs of bark have thrown me.  Also seems terribly old for a Laburnum, usually they peter out after 40 or 50 years.  Perhaps I have just not seen enough Laburnums......think I see a few lenticels.........

john

[Jupiter]

I have Laburnum anagyroides in my garden and yes, the bark is smooth and green.

[johnw]

Friend & I are leaning to L. alpinum as there's one leaf where you can see the glabrous underside.......maybe.  Must be an oldster.

john

[Maggi Young]

It was the bark on the trunk that threw me away from Laburnum - even though the foliage is very similar - if more leathery looking.   

[johnw]

It was the bark on the trunk that threw me away from Laburnum - even though the foliage is very similar - if more leathery looking.   

You're quite right Maggi, the foliage texture is more reminiscent of oak rather than Laburnum.

john

[Maggi Young]

My oldest Laburnum is around  30 + years and is a triple trunk so the diameter of the trunks is about  20- 25 cms
Here are some pix of the trunks of it
 Laburnum x watereri  ( - and it's a rather  good flowering form!)

[johnw]

That's the other thing Maggi, older Laburnum trees here are usually multi-trunked too.  I doi imagine I can see vestiges of lenticels on the smoother section of the bark in this cropped photo or maybe I should clean my specs.

john

[Hoy]

Hoy

That was my first thought until I saw the bark and the size and shape of the trunk.  What I recall of Laburnum trunks is smooth, olive green with lenticels.  These big shaggy slabs of bark have thrown me.  Also seems terribly old for a Laburnum, usually they peter out after 40 or 50 years.  Perhaps I have just not seen enough Laburnums......think I see a few lenticels.........

john

How is the bark higher up in the crown?
I vaguely remember seeing a very old Laburnum in Oslo with somewhat similar bark to yours many years ago.

[johnw]

Trond  - My problem is the owners asked the gardener what kind of tree it was, the gardener asked a friend and the friend asked me. So with the long weekend it's impossible to find out anything as the everyone's away and I only have a vague idea where the property is.  I'd say it is either L. alpina or x watereri.

The leaf texture is puzzling, so stiff.

I've gone through the entire genera of legumes and it can only be Laburnum.

john

[Maggi Young]

A random thought ... what about  Laburnocytisus adamii ?

[Jupiter]

Hey Maggi that's a good fit!

[johnw]

A random thought ... what about  Laburnocytisus adamii ?

I'd keel over if it were.  Hardiness is questionable here and the size would make it one of the biggest on this continent I'd think.

john