Tree and fruit I.D

[acen]

I found some trees at local park that has some interesting fruit. These small black pods have a seed on the inside that is fairly easy to break open. I know my Eclectus will LOVE these but im not sure they are safe, so i took a few home and here are the pix

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Anybody familiar with these tree?

 

[Captsteve]

Just a guess but it looks like a type of olive. would be easier if you got a shot of the tree and the bark.

 

[BACON]

I don't think it's an olive.

Olive trees have long slim leaves that are a darkish green. (I believe)

 

[Merlee]

I do not think it's an olive tree either. I would take a sample to a local garden center or hardware store that has a garden section and ask one of the master gardeners. Another source would be to go to the ag extension for identification.

I went through my handbook of trees and I couldn't find anything close. I am interested in learning what it is too.

 

[acen]

yes i will go to a local garden store, hopefully they can ID this tree.

I forgot to mention that it smell really good, kinda reminds me of a figs smell?

 

[Betrisher]

Do you have Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) where you live? It's a popular shade and street tree over here in Oz and is very common. The leaves and fruit of your tree look very like it. Camphor Laurel is highly toxic to birds, so I'd certainly not risk it until you know for sure what you've got!

A general rule of thumb is that anything with black or purple berries is usually toxic.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Do you have Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) where you live? It's a popular shade and street tree over here in Oz and is very common. The leaves and fruit of your tree look very like it. Camphor Laurel is highly toxic to birds, so I'd certainly not risk it until you know for sure what you've got!

A general rule of thumb is that anything with black or purple berries is usually toxic.

YES, Trish, we DO have Camphor Laurels in some parts of the country, and I think you IDed this 100% spot on!!

 

[Merlee]

To me the leaves don't exactly match, but they could be in the same family because the fruit looks identical.

I hope the OP comes back with a positive ID.

 

[Betrisher]

The leaves in Wendy's pic are juvenile leaves, while the ones in the OP's post are mature/senescent. I think the fruits give it away: see how they attach to the stalks? A tree nursery, horticulturist or Botany Dept at a local Uni would help with a definite ID, though. You need to take leaves, bark, flowers and fruit to enable a proper ID process.

 

[Merlee]

Yes I noticed the similarity of the fruit. Gardening is one of my hobbies so I am interested in learning the positive ID of this plant.