I think there's a better chance it's Prunus laurocerasus - English laurel. Considered a nuisance tree in Portland. I certainly find to be so north of there. It's messy, can grow to huge proportions, deer like it (both the leaves and the fruit).

Not the laurel, which I am all too familiar with.

Maybe viburnum odoratissimum?

That’s more like it. The fruit panicles are huge on the tree; that is the only thing that isn’t a perpect fit.

Thanks Dave. That one seems to have larger flower panicles. Might be it.

This is an interesting and confused section of the genus Viburnum...and I'm certainly no expert. I've read discussions online of how the various names are mixed up and mis-applied. What I remember reading is that V odoratissimum has dull, or only moderately glossy leaves. Chindo has extremely glossy leaves, and is a variety of either it or V awabuki, (depending on who you ask, but is probably more correctly a V awabuki). I grew it and lost it in in my Salish Sea garden, and I have another one on order to try in my Willamette Valley garden.

I never see these plants in gardens in the NW, and never in garden centers either, (I got both of my plants online) which is strange because most descriptions say it is easy to grow, its only flaw being that it may defoliate after extreme cold. Cool that you found one in Portland iochroma, if you find a glossy-leaved Chindo, I would love to see it!

When you don't see a plant in local gardens, even though it may be commonly sold locally, that usually means its tricky to grow...ahem, looking at you Gardenia!

Another Viburnum that I saw in two or three gardens in the Seattle area, and then never again, is what was called V arbicola (or arbicolon) at the time. I think this one is considered a variety of V odoratissimum these days. The plants I saw were rather large, and rather perfect, trees, with the largest leaves I've seen on any Viburnum.

Thanks for the additional information ArtinNature. I can see the confusion in the listings on this plant.

The leaves on this are pretty glossy; moreso than any Viburnum I have seen. The leaves on the young sprouts were far bigger than the 7 inches stated on several websites. Some were about 10”. And just to restate: the red fruit ripens to black, when it falls or is eaten by birds. I gathered some seeds. Wish me luck.

Here are a couple of shots of one of the few healthy street trees:

One thing about V. awabuki 'Chindo' is its propensity to sucker. Especially when pruned or when cold-damaged. Because of that trait, I don't think it would be the best choice as a street tree. So maybe yours is not V. awabuki.

Dave, they clearly had suckered, but been trimmed. I think you have the right conclusion: they are not very suitable as a street tree. Its rarity is why it caught my attention.