Umbellularia californica. Rub and sniff a leaf.

Floral, I don’t think that’s it. There has never been any kind of fruit in this tree like I’m seeing on images in the web.

Also, everything I’m seeing says Umbellularia californica is native to California and I’m in South Carolina on the other side of the country.

The flowers on my tree are on the branch and not growing out on a stem away from the branch.

Here are some more pictures I just took.

thanks!

Floral, you gave me a starting point. So, I’m seeing this is some kind of laurel. But which one? I’m not good at identifying plants/trees by their leaves/flowers. If I’m off base. Please correct me if I’m wrong.

Possibly Laurus nobilis?? The flowers are throwing me off.

Any other thoughts appreciated !

I think Laurus nobilis is a very good possibility.

Sugar

Marcus , I do believe you are correct 😊

Not Laurus nobilis. The similarity made me think Umbellaria. The new pictures throw that idea out.

It never did look like either. For starters the downward pointing leaves and thin furnishing of the branches by them.

The flowers do resemble (male) Bay. The leaves do not. Hence my incorrect guess when I tried to think of a similar tree to fit the bill.