When I was living in Minnesota, I’d often pass a small grove of trees while walking in the neighborhood, and every time I passed I could smell sugar candy (the closest candies I can identify it with are little candy toy soldiers I got at Christmas as a kid). I had figured out that it was a particular tree with grey-green leaves that were narrow and about 3 or 4 inches long.
Since I started walking to work here in south Pennsylvania, I noticed a familiar scent, and on looking around, saw the same kind of tree. I can’t seem to manage to find this tree online…none of the tree ID keys I’ve tried has gotten me to it.
Does anyone have any idea what this tree is? The candy scent is very strong. I can usually smell it across the street. I don’t know if it’s a blossom scent or a leaf scent, but I don’t see any visible flowers on the tree.
Are the leaves kind of heart-shaped, but a little asymmetrical? If so, it’s probably a basswood/linden of the genus Tilia. I’m always overwhelmed by those when passing underneath them when in bloom.
No, they’re almost oval, but a very slim oval. They’re actually blunt…the leaves don’t really end in a distinct point. Offhand, I don’t remember if they’re actually rounded or if the point is just a very wide angle. And the grey-green is overall, not just underneath. I haven’t seen it close enough to tell whether it’s actual leaf color or if the leaves are downy.
I’ll try to remember to snap a pic with my phone on the way home this afternoon.
Approx what was the calendar date when you encountered the aroma of the trees? Or was it whenever you happened to pass by them? You describe them in a grove, so perhaps they are native and not nursery trees? It would be good if you could give us a little more info to go on, maybe size of trees, but esp more about the leaves. If you could photo a leaf for us, as well as the overall tree, we could probably help you out.
Might it be a Russian Olive? Native to Western & Central Asia, Introduced here as an ornamental, it’s become an invasive weed species. Particularly when blooming, they have a sweet, cloying oder that seems pleasant at first but quickly becomes overpowering. More here.
I stopped at the tree for a closer look on the way home from work and didn’t bother to take pictures, since it was obvious up close that it was SeldomSeen’s Russian Olive. Thanks, all!