The bare bones of the tree. I’m wondering if it’s an alder. I guess I’ll find out when the leaves make their appearance.
Looking up into the umbrella before the leaves form.
Here’s a better look at the white bark.
A fat robin sits high in the branches.
These look like they could be alder cones.
My apologies to everyone in the UK, but this English Ivy has got to go. It will compete for food with the tree and if left to grow up the limbs, it could cause them to break by increasing their resistance to wind. I hope by this time next month I will have removed it. I’ve got to get permission from both owners first. It happens I know both of them. I’m guessing they will be very happy to have someone take care of it for them.
Adventures in Natural Beekeeping 
You are supposed to be able to identify a tree just from the bark but unfortunately I cannot! It has a very white bark if it is an alder. Time will tell, I hope. Amelia
“Supposed to be able to ID from the bark?” I would fail miserably.
Its a birch tree.
Are you sure? The nursery owner didn’t think so. He says birches grow straight and pointed out some he had growing. That said, I’ll give you credit if you’re right. 🙂
No cones on birch either, well not the ones we have 🙂
A mystery tree – what fun!
Great to have the Robin there.
I don’t know alders–more northern than I’m familiar with. Good that you’re getting rid of the ivy. I’m sure the British will understand.
Ivy is one of the best wildlife plants you can grow. The flowers feed the bees in the fall. It’s one of those rare plants that can refill their nectaries until they get pollinated, ultra reliable nectar & fruit provider. The evergreen foliage protects bugs over winter (& provides nesting sites for small birds in the spring) & the berries feed the birds in the late winter when most other wild seeds are gone. Think you are right about it being an alder though .
Thanks for your comment, Steve. I took part in a City Arbor Day clean up last year where we trimmed the ivy growing on the alder and ash trees. The City seemed to think the ivy would eventually kill the trees. However, I’ve looked at page after page on the internet which states emphatically that ivy is not a parasite and will not kill healthy trees. Since I keep bees myself, I know the value of ivy nectar available late in the year when little else is available. Across the street from this tree are tall Douglas fir trees with ivy growing almost the full height. Those trees don’t seem to be dying, so I might just leave the ivy on.
Whatever kind of tree it might be — it’s beautiful! The ivy would look quite nice growing on the ground around the tree.
I can’t help in identification, but must say I always love how you stop and really look at trees. Your pictures are always wonderful (love that chubby robin!).
I think you are right with alder, but there are so many types. It will be interesting to see.
Whatever it is, it’s strikingly beautiful.
P.S. This is how I’ve updated your entry on the Loose and Leafy Tree Following Page ‘Birch or Alder? A mystery tree.’ Is that ok?
http://looseandleafy.blogspot.co.uk/p/what-is-tree-following-and-list-of-tree.html
That’s fine. We can always change it later…unlike the printed word of which I am very aware (having been a printer for over 40 years, I’ve had to rerun a print job a time or two) 😀