# Can you identify this tree?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-tree/452824>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 13, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-tree/452824 "2008-06-13T16:42:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![the\_PC\_apeman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac8455/32.png) [@the\_PC\_apeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_PC_apeman)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-tree/452824/1 "2008-06-13T16:42:22Z")

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This tree grew wild in a dark corner of my parent’s home. They like how centered and espalier-like it is so they’ve let it grow. (That and they’ve stopped doing as much yardwork in their late 70’s.)

The tree has 2-3" leaves and 1-2" thorns. I don’t know if it flowers or bears fruits. Climate-wise they live in Charleston, WV. The corner doesn’t get much light. (You can see the moss covering the ground in the first picture.) The tree is growing right next to the wall.

I haven’t had much luck with various websites that help you to identify trees. Perhaps someone here has an idea?

Thanks  
PC

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**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-tree/452824/2 "2008-06-13T16:50:09Z")

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That looks like a variety of Hawthorne. Not sure what variety, but the thorns and leaf shape are the key. It should flower and fruit in later years.

[http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/senior/ornament/images/large/hawthornleaf.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/senior/ornament/Hawth55.htm&h=389&w=337&sz=21&hl=en&start=6&sig2=l62AcPgExceK-xU5kuLl7A&um=1&tbnid=e5vpKtj4bz8kdM:&tbnh=123&tbnw=107&ei=4aRSSNegEaaiebb2saoP&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhawthorne%2Bleaf%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7GGLR](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/senior/ornament/images/large/hawthornleaf.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/senior/ornament/Hawth55.htm&h=389&w=337&sz=21&hl=en&start=6&sig2=l62AcPgExceK-xU5kuLl7A&um=1&tbnid=e5vpKtj4bz8kdM:&tbnh=123&tbnw=107&ei=4aRSSNegEaaiebb2saoP&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhawthorne%2Bleaf%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7GGLR)

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**Author:** ![the\_PC\_apeman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac8455/32.png) [@the\_PC\_apeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_PC_apeman)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-tree/452824/3 "2008-06-13T17:02:52Z")

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Thanks **Lamar** , I had thought about Hawthorn but most of the photos I came across weren’t very reassuring. Your photo is a great match though. Thanks.