# What is this tree/fruit? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 7, 2016, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tree-fruit/762083 "2016-08-07T21:43:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2016, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tree-fruit/762083/1 "2016-08-07T21:43:28Z")
This tree is the only one of its kind on our property. It is about 15’ tall with numerous trunks coming out of the ground, sort of like a crack willow, though I know that isn’t what it is. We are in the Puget Sound area. Pictures were taken today, August 7. The fruit hasn’t progressed much in appearance for the last two months; not grown larger; just blushed a little more purple than it was in the spring. As soon as I cut the fruit open I thought “that’s a crabapple!”, but the shape of the fruit is so weird, I’m not sure. [Picture of the cluster of fruit with leaf](https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8710/28802270266_2c0a62cddb_z.jpg) [Picture of a fruit cut open](https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8671/28218786583_a13dc38d1a_z.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Anarcho\_Liberalist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Anarcho\_Liberalist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anarcho_Liberalist)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2016, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tree-fruit/762083/2 "2016-08-07T21:49:06Z")
According to my wife it must be **barberry**. A brief google operation however learns there are many kinds … Edit: is this it? [Common Barberry Ripe Fruit and Leaves](http://www.massaudubon.org/learn/nature-wildlife/invasive-plants/common-barberry/images/common-barberry-ripe-fruit-and-leaves) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2016, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tree-fruit/762083/3 "2016-08-07T22:51:34Z")
If that is a barberry, you can make one of my favorite [dishes](http://www.mypersiankitchen.com/zereshk-polow-rice-with-barberries/). ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2016, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tree-fruit/762083/4 "2016-08-07T22:56:36Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > If that is a barberry, you can make one of my favorite [dishes](http://www.mypersiankitchen.com/zereshk-polow-rice-with-barberries/). It would be very difficult not to refer to that as _barberrian rice_… ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2016, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tree-fruit/762083/5 "2016-08-07T23:23:08Z")
It’s not a barberry - at least not if by barberry, you mean some species of _Berberis_. The fruit in the photo is a pome (like a little apple). The leaves and fruit look to me a little like those of the Bastard Service tree - I’d say we’re looking at some species of Sorbus (service trees) or Malus (Apples - which genus includes a great many species and varieties - some that have small ovoid pome fruits like that) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2016, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tree-fruit/762083/6 "2016-08-07T23:27:47Z")
I’m going with _Malus fusca_ - the Oregon Crab. > **[Pacific Crabapple, Malus fusca](http://nativeplantspnw.com/pacific-crabapple-malus-fusca/)** > > Pacific... ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2016, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tree-fruit/762083/7 "2016-08-07T23:47:46Z")
I think Mangetout has it. Since we’re in the Puget Sound area, and all. Barberry is close but the leaves aren’t quite right … and I happen to have observed that previous owners of our property liked to plant native species about the place.