QuestionQUESTION: There is a conifer in the lot next door that I'm very curious about. It is a very large tree, with a trunk diameter of ten feet or so. It has spreading limbs like an oak, which end in long finger-like branches. The leaves(needles) are 1 to 1 1/2 inches long, roughly triangular in cross section, and attach to the twigs in spread burstlike clusters of 30 or so. They are not attached directly to the twig but to 1/4 inch 'twiglets" that protrude perpendicularly from the main twig.
The cones are four or five inches tall and grow upright. They are heavy and very dense, and are composed of thin flat scales that fall from the cone as it dries.
Thank you for any help you can give me...
ANSWER: With out a picture it sounds like Fraser fir. I am pretty sure it is one of the firs. Here is a web link to Fraser fir and one to other firs.
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/DENDROLOGY/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=95
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/DENDROLOGY/data_results_with_common.cfm?state=unkno
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Conifer in question
QUESTION: Hi Jim. Thanks very much for getting back to me.
I should have originally stated that the tree in question doesn't appear to be anything like what I've found listed as native North American conifers. And I should have attached a picture! Which I'm doing now. This tree is in northern South Carolina and I'm supposing that it's an exotic-- as I say, it is in a residential lot in the center of town.
Thanks again...
AnswerWell you have stumped me. being an ornamental tree it could have come from most any where. I would suggest that you check with the SC Forestry Commission and ask one of their Foresters to come have a look. Seeing the tree in person they might be able it ID it. Here is the contact information web link to their offices by county.
http://www.state.sc.us/forest/contact.htm
They also have urban Foresters around the state that are more familiar with non native trees.
http://www.state.sc.us/forest/scurban.htm
Sorry I could not come up with the answer
