I saw a tree that I didn’t have the time to take enough notes on…
It had very furrowed bark not unlike the Basswood , yet it had a fruit not unlike the tamarind Yet the leaves, to the best of my recollection( I was in a real hurry) were not anything like these trees.
I’m beginning to doubt my eyes and wonder what they REALLY looked like, but I could have sworn they were simple oblong-ish light green leaves.
this tree was in the North America half of the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. Right at the bend in the walkway approaching the polar bears.
If it turns out that nobody can help you here, you can call the zoo’s 800 number, or fill out their online form. It’s better than nothing. http://www.nczoo.org/contactus/
…also, the tree has leaves that are noticeably ‘greener’ - (that is to say more like lime green than olive) than many other trees that will be found growing in similar climates - this is consistent with the OP’s observation.
With that fruit structure, it is likely to be a legume. However, this does not fit with the OP’s statement that the leaves are simple, since most legume trees have compound leaves (this is the case both with Honey-Locust and Fakse Acacia, aka Black Locust). One of the few North American legumes with simple leaves is Eastern Redbud, but it doesn’t have deeply furrowed bark.
I’m wondering whether the OP meant simple in the botanical sense, or was actually referring to the compound leaflets, which in the case of Robinia do themselves look like small simple leaves.
No, I meant simple as in no compound leaves. Just large leaves. Like I said, I was in a hurry and now wonder…
I swear it didn’t resemble any trees proposed, but I promise To find out and report back asap. I wonder if there is anyone who can answer the phone at the zoo on a saturday?
Some other possibilities we should still be considering:
-Perhaps the fruits only superficially resemble those of legumes
-Did you perhaps only observe the fallen fruits on the ground? (i.e. are you sure they actually came from the tree you’re describing?)
Nope, One thing I was sure of in my haste was that the pods were still on the tree and that they seemed a little rotund for typical local pods, i.e. Kentucky coffee bean, mimosa, and wisteria. also, the bark.
What kills me is that I had a camera around my neck the whole time…what a dope!
