What is this Tree/Bush?

[Dennisfly]

The pictured tree is growing on 5 acres in Virginia. It is the only tree of its type in the whole area. It is surrounded by many hardwoods, pines, gums, poplars, and dogwoods to mention some. It is growing in partial sun.

It is about 12 feet tall, has smooth grey bark, and poor shape, as if it has never been pruned or cultivated.

Any ideas what it is?

 

[Steve IA]

Possibly Tartarian Honeysuckle. Highly invasive.
Google has good images to compare to.

Steve

 

[keegs]

cherry laurel?

 

[mdunaway]

that is russian olive or autumn olive.it is an invasive escape.wherever a bird poops,one comes up.

 

[forgeblast]

Hehe glad you asked, I saw it on my property the other day and chopped it down.
I figured with the red berries, and thorns, it was probably invasive and left by the birds.

 

[keegs]

that is russian olive or autumn olive.it is an invasive escape.wherever a bird poops,one comes up.

Google Image Result for http://www.sierrapotomac.org/W_Needham/Pictures/AutumnOlive_Massanutten%20South_10-09-04.jpg

 

[Dennisfly]

Thanks for the responses. They all seem plausable. After some internet research, the wife thinks it might be Chokecherry, which also seems plausable. I guess I need to take a piece of it to an expert for a final determination.

 

[easygo]

It does seem to be an Autumn Olive from those berries. If you want to see birds from up close just sit by that bushy tree as the weather is starting to get cold. You will see a lot of birds and may be a squirrel or two munching on the berries. I found it amusing.

 

[rekees4300]

Looks like Buckthorn. Been fighting it on my property for years. It's an invasive plant from Europe and is practically indestructible. Best way I have found to kill it is to cut it off flush with the ground then spay the stump with a herbicide that has at least 25% glyphosate.

 

[2diamondfarm]

Looks like autumn olive to me

 

[MMagis]

I would say autumn olive without question if I saw it here on the farm. If you have thousands of them growing in two years you'll know for sure. They've taken over as the #1 invasive around here, far surpassing multiflora rose.

 

[mdunaway]

some folks just have to pee on the fence to believe its really electric.:laughing: