# ID this tree? Chicago area **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 26, 2014, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tree-chicago-area/691728 "2014-06-26T21:27:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tree-chicago-area/691728/1 "2014-06-26T21:27:34Z")
[These green berries](http://oi58.tinypic.com/10i9u28.jpg) will turn black later in the year. As far as I can tell it’s not a choke cherry, whose berries grow in grapelike clusters. Each of these berries has its own stem, no clustering. Thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tree-chicago-area/691728/2 "2014-06-26T21:39:24Z")
Looks like _Rhamnus cathartica_, common buckthorn. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tree-chicago-area/691728/3 "2014-06-26T22:22:37Z")
Indeed it does, thanks so much! ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tree-chicago-area/691728/4 "2014-06-27T21:24:20Z")
Note: buckthorn is considered an invasive species in many locations. If you wish for it to spread to neighboring territory, do nothing.