This tree is in my neighbor's yard, and I'm curious what it is. I tried to use the Arbor Day website to identify it, but the website was asking me questions I can't answer. I know nothing about trees. I thought maybe someone could identify the tree from the bark, which seems distinctive to me. I wasn't able to get a good photo of the leaves, but if necessary I can go back and try again.


-TC

Maybe a California Pepper. Leaf photos would certainly help.

Here is a picture of the leaves.

Not a Pepper tree.

Can you take a photo of the entire tree? Are the leaves different on older branches (I assume this photo is from the new branches growing from the cuts on the trunk)?

Does this picture help? I think all the leaves are the same. Those are the only leaves below 12 feet; I can't get close enough to photograph any others.

What an interesting tree!

I've been searching the web, and the only trees I can find with leaves that look similar to these are eucalyptus trees. Could this be a snow gum eucalyptus with an unusual bark peeling pattern? Maybe the tree is distressed.

The leaves (parallel veins) suggest Acacia but I have never seen one with fuzzy leaves. But considering your location, its a good bet the tree is from Australia. There are a lot of strange plants in Australia (no offense to all of you in Australia - I'm envious!).

We have another ID discussion going about a tree is Australia we can't identify but, plants from that end of the world are so foreign to us in the U.S., I'm not surprised.

We really need to expand our horizons (and recruit more NGA members from Australia).

PS: Eucalyptus leaves don't have parallel veins and aren't fuzzy.

It's Melaleuca quinquenervia, White Paperbark. They are really cool-looking when they get big. Very gnarled trunks and branches. I like to suggest them as evergreen, drought-tolerant White Birches.
One thing you need to know is that it is considered an Invasive Exotic in Florida. Here in California, not so much.
Another side note; last years Rose Float from Cal Poly had some bark I collected from trees on campus. It was used on the treasure chest on the right side near the front.

I looked up images of the paperback tree, and I believe you are right. Thanks.