Hallson Gardens

Well, I took pics again today, and this plant is as much a mystery as ever. The leaves look more and more like the leaves of some kind of tree, but I have NEVER seen a tree seedling that has this kind of growth habit. All the ones I've seen -- ash, elm, maple -- put up a woody stem with some leaves at the top. They don't have little branches coming off the main stem, all the way up. Here are the pics -- let me know what you make of them, if anything. Phyllis

It still looks like some kind of berry to me!!

The deep grooves on the leaves....and that particular kind of growth habit (branches coming from main stem) sure is the way they grow! Take a look at the foliage of some of the raspberries at this link......see what you think;

http://www.starkbros.com/access?action= ... rentPage=2

Picking those wild berries and making jelly is my favorite summer past time.....next to GARDENING that is!....p

The leaves are too big for raspberry leaves -- I spent my growing-up living near people who had a huge raspberry patch, and the leaves were much different. One of the raspberry pics that shows a bit of the leaves looks a bit like the leaves on the Mystery plant, but not enough for an ID. Thanks for the suggestion, however -- we'll just have to wait and see. I'll keep posting pics, and if and when it blooms that should tell us something. Phyllis

Still looks the most like birch to me, but I've never known a seedling birch to put up multiple leaders.

I thought raspberry when I first saw the post, but am not that good of an observant to make a comment! LOL

Am very curious about it too, so please keep posting updates

Very curious indeed. I haven't been following this thread closely so you may have already ruled this out. Could it be something in the mint family. Is there any scent if you crush a leaf?

I was wondering about it being an herb, but not real knowledgable about those either!

Good thought, but there's no scent, and the leaves have so much substance that they do feel more like leaves from a tree. BUT, there's that non-woody stem, and all those stems growing out of it. Thanks for guessing -- I'm willing to consider anything! Phyllis

Phyllis,
I also think it is a tree. I have one growing in a potted Harry Walking Cane shrub I bought 2 years ago. The roots were so enterwine with my shrub that I just kept cutting the top growth of the tree seedling back. But it is still there. Not a tree I am familar with but it is persistent.

Becky in TN

Anything in the mint family has a square stem and opposing leaves. My (for now ) guess would be a mulberry tree.

Mulberry -- now there's a thought! Can't imagine where it would have come from, however, since I've never SEEN one anywhere around here (the only ones I've seen were in England, and I don't remember anything about their leaves.) I'll have to do some sleuthing and see. Keep guessing, all the rest of you! Phyllis