Please Identify North Florida Native Small Tree or Shrub

[jeff9366]

I have asked numerous people what this shrub or small tree is. No one seems to know.

Can anyone identify it? I'll be happy to learn its common name; EXTRA CREDIT for its Latin name.

Tree grows and spreads prolifically in North Florida, 25 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, 2 miles from the Suwannee River; Zone 8B, sandy-loam, high pH soil. I would describe this area as Upland Mixed Forest. Mystery tree forms thickets, crowding out other trees.

It is any understory tree. It colonizes via suckers under Oaks, Gums and Cherry Laurels. Often grows in close proximity to Hawthorns.

Roots are shallow and short. Even a large specimen can be knocked over with the FEL on my Kubtoa B3300SU, 33-hp / 1/900 pounds.

Wood of the trunk is very hard.

Photo #1 Tree #1
Photo #2 Tree #1 Bark, Lower Trunks
Photo #3 Tree #1 Sucker
Photo #4 Tree #1 Sucker, closeup of leaves
Photo #5 Roots from tree pulled with Ratchet Rake on FEL last week.
Photo #6 Tree #2
Photo #7 Tree #3

 

[LD1]

Hard to tell without more info and/or better pics.

So a few questions...Are the leaves opposite or alternate. ITs hard to tell in the pics cause it looks like some are opposite and some are alternate???

WHat kind of fruit and/or flow do these trees have and what time of year do they develope?

How big are the leaves? Hard to tell with nothing to scale it with in a pic.

And a better close-up shot of a leaf and vein structure would also be helpful.

I also assume this tree looses its leaves in the fall??

 

[jeff9366]

Leaves are 1/2" to 1".

Tree retained its leaves throughout the winter, at least this past winter. ( Only 5-6 nights of hard frost here January-February-March 2013 )

I know it must fruit but I have not noticed any. Fruit must be inconspicuous.

Below are three additional leaf pictures, all from sucker in Post #1, Photo #3.

 

[LD1]

My guess is persimmon

 

[jeff9366]

Good try but "no banana."

We have at least a dozen native Persimmons here, of varying sizes. Persimmons are about the same size as this mystery tree, and branched somewhat similar, but grow only in full sun, where they fruit prolifically. Deer love Persimmon fruit. I have never encountered a Persimmon growing as an understory tree.

I will post some local Persimmon photos too.

GOOD TRY.

 

[smstonypoint]

Jeff,

In case you don't receive the answer here, take copies of your pictures and a sample of the stem and leaves to your local Cooperative Extension Office. If the staff can't ID the plant, they can contact specialists at the University of Florida who will provide you with the common and scientific names.

Steve

 

[jeff9366]

I have been researching the last couple hours and I am pretty sure mystery tree is SPARKLEBERRY, FARKLEBERRY, TREE HUCKLEBERRY in the Ericaceae family.

LINKS:

Floridata: Vaccinium arboreum

PlantFiles: Detailed information on Farkleberry, Sparkleberry, Tree-Huckleberry Vaccinium arboreum

 

[jeff9366]

Here are Persimmons.

First two photos: Five Persimmons propagated and arranged by Ma Nature.

Third photo: Persimmon purchased in 1-gallon pot and planted one year ago.

It has been hot and dry here. I need to bring this Persimmon a bucket of water.

Three photos taken today.