Please help ID this shrub/tree

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hi, I am in Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA zone 10b, and I would like some help in IDing this plant.

On one side of my yard I have a narrow strip that's about 3' wide which I have planted two different types of shrubs that are about five to six feet tall on average.

I noticed a new plant last weekend, hidden amongst the shrubs. I *THINK* it's new, can't be more than a few months old, so it must be something very fast growing because it's about seven feet tall now. I don't know if it's a tree or a tall shrub, and I do not see any other plant nearby that may have seeded it.

The next picture shows the plant in question where I had indicated in red. Sorry I cannot take a better picture showing it isolated, it's really hidden in between the existing shrubs and for this reason I didn't notice it until now. The trunk is about 2" to 2.5" diameter.

A better picture perhaps.

A closer look at the leaves.

Featured Answer

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

It looks like a Fraxinus species to me but I don't know much about Florida tree species.

Just spotted your variegated Schefflera happily growing outdoors. Mine lives outside in summer but has to come in in winter. At the moment it's still outside but gets brought in on cold nights.

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Comments (8)

Miami Cuse
Original Author
6 years ago
yes the variegated Schefflera is very common down here in Florida and most people keep it as a short shrub barrier in the front of the yard trimmed to about 3' to 4' tall. I sort of let it grow untrimmed and it about 6' tall now. It needs no care at all not even watering. We are having some cold nights now in Florida but cold here means 55 degree F people are dressed in leg warmers and ear muffs LOL.
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nel5397
6 years ago
It could be a Mahogany.
Miami Cuse thanked nel5397
CA Kate z9
6 years ago
Whatever it is, it needs fertilizer.
Miami Cuse thanked CA Kate z9
cpartist
6 years ago
We are having some cold nights now in Florida but cold here means 55 degree F people are dressed in leg warmers and ear muffs LOL.

You forgot the gloves!
Miami Cuse thanked cpartist
dirtygardener
6 years ago
Looks like an Indian Rosewood. EXTREMELY invasive, sends up root shoots up to 60 feet away from the tree, and has roots that will completely destroy the foundation of your home. Take it out NOW! There were two in the yard next to me at my old house, and I had shoots coming up on the other side of my house from roots that had grown under my foundation. When those roots start to get larger, they can crack your foundation. Seriously, get rid of it!
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
6 years ago
Indian Rosewood has alternately pinnate leaves, not opposite, as shown in the OP's photographs.
Eric S
6 years ago
The native Mahogany, Swietenia mahagoni