Originally posted by oddoneout
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Is it a shrub, is it a tree, no it's …
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It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
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Originally posted by french frank View PostThe birch theory was attractive because of the recently dead one, a mere 12ft away next door, casting its last desperate seed to perpetuate life :-). But it is very slender.
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Originally posted by french frank View PostThe birch theory was attractive because of the recently dead one, a mere 12ft away next door, casting its last desperate seed to perpetuate life :-). But it is very slender.
I think the survival instinct is to grow upwards as quickly as possible to gain maximum light.
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Originally posted by oddoneout View PostEven fully grown birch trees are not chunky so slenderness, in itself, does not signify, but seedling and very young trees are in any case slender. Bulking out comes with increasing maturity. In the course of my garden volunteering I often have to remove seedling oaks(result of jay activity) and although the leaves may be not too dissimilar in size and form from those on an adult tree, even after several years growth the stems won't be more than about a quarter inch thick -the roots are often bigger than the top growth at that stage though so removal of such a seemingly insubstantial thing can be more of a job than at first thought, especially if the aim is to replant.
I think the survival instinct is to grow upwards as quickly as possible to gain maximum light.
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Originally posted by oddoneout View Posteven after several years growth the stems won't be more than about a quarter inch thick
There are birches with cordate leaves, but I think these are too elongated for a silver birch - which is what my neighbour is/was. It will certainly need to be repotted again soon. Currently attempting thaumaturgy on a potentilla cutting.It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
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Originally posted by french frank View PostThat sent me scuttling for my Vernier gauge. The stem is 4.5mm thick just above the bottom most branch (now removed).
There are birches with cordate leaves, but I think these are too elongated for a silver birch - which is what my neighbour is/was. It will certainly need to be repotted again soon. Currently attempting thaumaturgy on a potentilla cutting.
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Originally posted by Serial_Apologist View PostI reckon you're rather enjoying the mystery of not knowing what it is, ff.It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
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Originally posted by french frank View PostBut if it plans on growing to 20ft tall I won't have room for it in the back yard, which is about 15' x 15'.
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Originally posted by doversoul1 View PostCould it be this?
I was given a couple of seedlings which, I was told, would make lovely salad leaves. I planted them in a flower bed and they are now looking like small trees.
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I don't think it's either amaranthus or abutilon - the leaves are too hairy. A Woodland Trust man suggested, from the photos, a Downy birch which is a 'pioneer species'. But failing that, 'a non-native shrub'
It is now 26" tall and its habit certainly looks 'tree-like', slender branches coming off the main stalk/trunk rather than a bush. I don't suppose I'll know until it produces a flower and fruit.It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
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Originally posted by french frank View PostI don't think it's either amaranthus or abutilon - the leaves are too hairy. A Woodland Trust man suggested, from the photos, a Downy birch which is a 'pioneer species'. But failing that, 'a non-native shrub'
It is now 26" tall and its habit certainly looks 'tree-like', slender branches coming off the main stalk/trunk rather than a bush. I don't suppose I'll know until it produces a flower and fruit.
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Originally posted by gradus View PostYou're probably right but the picture of an abutilon grandiflorum reminded me of your original photo: httpshttps://www.google.co.uk/search?q=abutilon&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0a hUKEwi9p7na1O_cAhUpJsAKHaqXAnIQ_AUICigB&biw=1536&b ih=710#imgrc=cG3wYQ9oSQjHbM:&spf=1534356849950
It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
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