StrangeTree - Help with Tree Identification?

Question

Does anyone know what this strange tree is?
I see this tree every year but often forget to take a picture while it still has leaves (which would be useful for identification).
It has serrated, alternate compound leaves or odd pinnate.
I've never seen flowers but in fall when the leaves begin to drop, these strange yellow, ball shaped berries form right below the crown. About an inch  in diameter. Late last fall they seemed to be close to two inches,
and there were more than the ones in the photo.
I'm in the GardenZone 8.
This has really stumped me. Any answers are appreciated thank you.

Photo of tree foliage:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61220444@N05/8033782961/
Photo of said tree with strange yellow berries:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61220444@N05/8033782983/

P.s. someone will get best answer I don't just let questions go into voting
when someone took the time to respond.

? · Accepted Answer

It's a Chinaberry tree, Botanical name is Melia azedarach. Those berries are poisonous. It's sometimes called a bead tree, because catholics would use the dried seeds to make their rosary. 

Here is a link showing the leaves, berries and flower. http://nceppc.weebly.com/uploads/6/8/4/6/6846349/1313522414.png 
Photo is from this site (second plant down) http://nceppc.weebly.com/trees7.html
Here is a Wikipedia link to read on toxicity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melia_azedarach

gr8music at qtrtilldawn · Answer

At first look I thought Walnut, but it has berries. So maybe an 'Ash Tree', there are many species with varying leaves but they look close and also have berries.

EDIT:
Looking at the below links, it very well could be the Chinaberry tree. The leaf pattern fits, and young berries look like your image.

But so does 'Sumac', although most are not poisonous but have the leaf structure and some have small berries like your images.

Now I am curious, (been doing a lot of home landscaping and am trying to learn).
You can see the leaves better, try this site; http://www.oplin.org/tree/leaf/leaf%20pages/016%20compound%20leaves/compound%20leaves.html

mimisnan · Answer

It might be a Chinaberry tree, scientific name: Melia azedarach.  Also sometimes called Bead Tree. When I was a little girl, my Aunt would remove the fleshy part of the fruit leaving only a ridged seed with a hole all the way through it. She would boil the seeds in food coloring and string them to make necklaces and bracelets.

http://blog.growingwithscience.com/2012/09/seed-of-the-week-chinaberry/

Anonymous · Answer

In Australia they are referred to as the Cape Lilac tree. Easy to grow but a real nuisance with the mess they make.

http://www.growmeinstead.com.au/plant/cape-lilac-tree-in-a-hurry.aspx

latshaw · Answer

the owner did not understand what plant it quite is and perhaps no one will it quite is purely very long seek to ensure the respond only walk via plant books till you uncover the respond or take a leaf and flower to somebody like me a nurseryman/plant grower not the chap who only buys and sells flora he's conscious nowt

Trending News

StrangeTree - Help with Tree Identification?

5 Answers