Sold a Rhus tree as an English oak?

[HarleyD]

Hi everyone,

My friend was recently sold this young tree as an English Oak.

I saw it yesterday and was worried that it could be a Rhus tree as I have had a severe allergic reaction before.

Can anyone identify this? It is currently about 35cm tall including the pot. It is very fast growing.

Any help would be much appreciated!

[melbrackstone]

It sure does look like Rhus.

[Watto]

I'm voting with Mel. Definitely not an oak.

[HarleyD]

Thanks a lot for the backup! This should make it easier to convince my friend to throw it out.

I'm still baffled that it was labelled as an oak at a bonsai nursery though. Surely they realised ot wasn't?

When I was a kid a Rhus tree made my face swell up so badly that I couldn't see because my eyes were swolen shut! I'll never forget my older sister seeing me, screaming and running away. It put me in the hospital for a week. Once the swelling went down the rash appeared. Apparently severe reactions aren't uncommon to that particular plant either!

Anyway, I might drop them a visit and see whether they're still selling them and let them know about my own experience if they are.

Thanks for the help!
-Harley

[greg27]

Tell your friend to return it for a refund rather than chuck it out. Your friend was sold something that's not as described (not their fault they didn't realise it was mislabeled). Here in SA it's illegal to sell a Rhus tree; not sure about other states.

[melbrackstone]

yes, I also thought it was illegal to sell it, and I'm pretty sure that's in all states.

[Keep Calm and Ramify]

"Poison Oak" (Toxicodendron)

[Rare plant Pat]

Could also be a Pistachia, but sure looks like a Rhus. There are a few different ones available, so it might not be the one that made you swell up.