I have this real strange tree leaning against my house and nobody seems to know what it is? Some say ASH and some say ELM?>>>

Do any of the leaves in the picture belong to the bare stems? If you could post a photo of any individual leaves, and also a clearer close-up of a twig showing the nodes (joints) it would help. From what I can see it has oppoosite leaf/branch arrangement which would rule out elm, but more pictures would help with identification. I'm not sure any of the green leaves I can see look like ash either. A picture from further back showing the whole plant would also help.

sooby said:Do any of the leaves in the picture belong to the bare stems? If you could post a photo of any individual leaves, and also a clearer close-up of a twig showing the nodes (joints) it would help. From what I can see it has opposite leaf/branch arrangement which would rule out elm, but more pictures would help with identification. I'm not sure any of the green leaves I can see look like ash either. A picture from further back showing the whole plant would also help.

all leaves are to the same tree.. I got one far back as my camera would allow as it is prob about 60-70 feet tall.. a straight column with those weird down turned twining branches.. I'd like to cut it down but if it is something special then.. no. Leaves are an oval shaped coming to a point. this weird tree has always been like this.. the bare branches you see are a result of half the tree being killed by a house fire next door ( where I once lived.. and now live in the house you see pictured.)

It could be an ash but we'd need to see a picture of the individual leaves, or leaflets if it is a compound leaf (which it would have if it was an ash). Can you get in any closer to photograph the leaves or remove a set of leaves from a twig so that all leaflets are present if they are not single leaves?

Don't Ash Trees have opposite branching whereas most trees do not? Gene

gasrocks said:Don't Ash Trees have opposite branching whereas most trees do not? Gene

Yes, although so do some other trees like maple, which is why I initially also asked for a picture of a twig and also the leaves. It looks as though some of the branching is opposite on the dead branches in the photo but really need a better look.

Edited to add, this page may help

http://treedoctor.anr.msu.edu/...

Cut some branches off, and photograph them somewhere with good light to get clear shots. Laying on a driveway, sidewalk, or countertop usually works.

Common trees with opposite arrangement of leaves/buds/branching include Ash, Maple, Buckeye, Dogwood - and all the Viburnums...