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tree identification #814002

Asked October 12, 2022, 10:59 AM EDT

I am trying to identify the attached.  It is the only specimen of its kind on our place, standing on a small ridge amongst other trees and shrubs.  It has a single stem, about 6" dbh, and its bark is very dark brown and fairly ragged.  It stands about 20' tall.  It is generally thornless, with very occasional small prongs at twig junctures, as shown in the center of the photo.  There is a fair number of black berries as shown. The single leaves are opposite and the leaf veins are sometimes alternate and sometimes opposite.  Its fate is in your hands!  I've never seen a buckthorn, but if this is one down it goes.  If its not, we'll take good care of it.  Thanks for your help.

Washtenaw County Michigan

Expert Response

Thanks for reaching out.  Can you also attach a photo or two of the entire tree?
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Sure.  I took several shots, but it was pretty hard to capture, given its location and the canopy.  I'll send four, but they're parts of the whole.  Just let me  know if I can share additional details or photos.
On Wed, Oct 12, 2022 at 2:06 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied October 12, 2022, 4:34 PM EDT
Hello,
Excellent describing the species; you've obviously looked things up before!
This looks like buckthorn, although the bark is more textured than in younger specimens. The guide at the link below showcases the different buckthorn species in relation to small trees and shrubs that may look similar; perhaps using a knife to look at the inner bark might be way to positively or negatively identify?
https://www.co.wood.wi.us/Departments/LandConservation/Brochures/Buckthorn%20Field%20Guide.pdf
Thank you,
-Julie
Julie Crick Replied October 14, 2022, 1:13 PM EDT
Excellent.  Thanks, Julie.  Good link, which I didn't come across in my searches.  Two of those three common buckthorn photos are perfect matches.  I should have checked the inner bark, but didn't have my knife with me when I last visited.  I will tomorrow.  By the way, my father-in-law. George Petrides, wrote a few tree books for the Peterson Field Guide series.  He taught me a few things, but I still have a lot to learn.

Thanks again!

Whitney

On Fri, Oct 14, 2022 at 1:14 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied October 15, 2022, 1:09 AM EDT
Wow! George Petrides is a legend in my world! 
Glad you were able to find a match; with hopes the bark scrape helps confirm. 
All the best,
-Julie 
Julie Crick Replied October 17, 2022, 9:00 AM EDT
That's really neat about George.

Just to follow up, we confirmed this was a common buckthorn.  And we confirmed about 30 more in an acre area, which were 2-7" in diameter.  Our casual observation made us think they were part of several surrounding cherries!  The leaf persistence was also key.  They're now all history, and the cut stumps treated with triclopyr.  But felling them was remarkably tricky, especially with some residual bittersweet in the canopy!  Thanks yet again for your help with this!

Whitney

On Mon, Oct 17, 2022 at 9:03 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied October 26, 2022, 1:13 PM EDT

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