AusBonsai

Hi,

I have had a rogue tree growing out the top of one of my hedges for about 6 months now. I am suspicious it is a Lilly pilly since there is also one of those hedges in our garden. At first I thought this wasn’t one because the leaves weren’t glossy enough, and this one seems unaffected whereas our Lilly pilly hedge is full of psyllid and looks moth eaten. Does anyone know? Got a free tree out of it if it lives [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]

Maybe some kind of Lilly Pilly? Not sure. The cut though, is no good Beano. You won't be able to make much from that. Go down much harder. About 2 inches - 50mm from the roots and work from there.

Do you mean around where that lower branch is Treeman?

Beano wrote:Do you mean around where that lower branch is Treeman?

A bit lower. Just above the first bump after the ''gunk''

Could be Large Leafed Privet, Ligustrum lucidum
.

I also think large leaf privet. Leaves and bark look right and they commonly grow up through other plants after a perching bird drops the seeds.
Large leaf privet should also sprout from dormant buds so if you want a tree with good taper you could follow Treeman's advice on cutting lower.

Oh how interesting! I’ve never seen one. I’ll chop it further as suggested.

It is an invasive weed up here Beano. I spent all Friday afternoon spraying herbicide onto the trunks of larger ones and cutting and painting the smaller ones. Also did quite afew small leaf privet which is also an environmental weed along our creek and into gardens and the bushland.

Cut it back. It’s been sprouting since about day 4 after I dug it up.

I don't think its a large leaf privet at all, I kill a fair few of these and the leaves look very different..syzigum looking more than privet! anywho it looks like it will make a good specimen if its either of the two species regardless

I agree with Shibui, it is a large leaf privet. when it flowers that will confirm it.

Roger

Right so almost 2 months later it still looks like this... not much thriving going on for an invasive species. Does this change the ID? Perhaps it was only large leafed at the time due to poor lighting having grown inside a pittysporum hedge until sunlight was reached at the top?

Geez, tapatalk photo compression is appalling. My house is full of people for a few days, when I get my office computer back I might be able to upload something better

Here is an updated photo upload, hopefully nice and detailed now!

Bougainvillea?
that new growth and bark looks like some of mine

Ken