Styrax japonicus.

I guess my question then is, is there that much variation in the species? Styrax japonicus is usually listed at a 30' mature tree, which is consistent with the last one I grew. This is a markedly different plant and it's going to be much shorter. I would say 10' tall at 20 years maybe. Same plant?

The S. japonicus I purchased at Loen Nursery in 1994 when it was nearly 6 feet tall is now 13 years later about 12 feet tall. It would have been 20 feet wide by now except for repeated pruning!

This styrax has become a very popular street tree in Portland over the past 10 years and nearly all of those have the upright/vase shape. This type of styrax must have been deemed more street friendly and is now the one most commonly propagated by nurseries, or at least the one sold to commercial landscapers and groups like Friends of Trees.

I have seen other older ones that are upright, but never a 30-foot one. The Sunset Guide mentions horizontal branching, and mine will never get to 30 feet, keeping it out of the power line passing directly over the tree.

All seed propagated species are variable.

Pruning habits at the originating nursery can also account for very different growth habits in your garden. Looks like this one had its leader pruned off or broken off. I see what you mean about the pre-made bonsai!

Sizes given in any book, including Sunset, are estimates of averages.

The flowers sure look like S japonica to me!

Sizes given in some books may be averages.

"A tree to 50' x 8'...

- 10723 24th Ave NE: 49' x 2'9" (1990)
- 32nd Ave NE & NE 88th St: NE corner house has a multitrunked on 37' tall
- 2311 Broadway E: one 34 1/2' tall..."

--A.L. Jacobson, TREES OF SEATTLE - SECOND EDITION

Here is a picture of one of mine. I say one of mine because I have seedlings popping up all over the place. Some even looking like yours, Greeenthumb. Eventually they strike a leader and head on up. I had so many at one time I was cutting them down for firewood to put the ground to better use.
This one is right out my back door. I have been pruning it over the years to get a gnarled, twisted trunk.

{{gwi:328435}}

There is a 'Pink Chimes' variety commonly planted in the Pacific NW, but I find it to look about the same.

I've seen both the species and the variety grow a bit awkward on a few occassions.

Like the other said, you have Styrax j.

M. D. Vaden of Oregon