Tree ID.

[JDog]

This is an unusual tree. 

I haven't seen very many. This one caught my eye as I drove by.

[12gauge82]

Don't know if it's the right name for it but my dad called that a handkerchief tree.

[ditchman]

27 minutes ago, 12gauge82 said:

Don't know if it's the right name for it but my dad called that a handkerchief tree.

had one in my garden......i too knew it as a handkerchief tree

[12gauge82]

49 minutes ago, ditchman said:

had one in my garden......i too knew it as a handkerchief tree

Good to know my memory serves me well in this instance. Was a long time ago and I haven't seen one for many years. It's strange what sticks in your head.

[steve_b_wales]

Davidia Involucrata. 

Also called: Dove Tree & Ghost Tree

And no, I didn't Google it! 

[JohnfromUK]

2 hours ago, 12gauge82 said:

Good to know my memory serves me well in this instance. Was a long time ago and I haven't seen one for many years. It's strange what sticks in your head.

Quite difficult to grow.  I planted one and it lived for around 15 years, but never did well.  The theory at the time was that my garden is too exposed to north winds.

[12gauge82]

13 hours ago, JohnfromUK said:

Quite difficult to grow.  I planted one and it lived for around 15 years, but never did well.  The theory at the time was that my garden is too exposed to north winds.

Im tempted to have a go at growing one now.

[JohnfromUK]

20 minutes ago, 12gauge82 said:

Im tempted to have a go at growing one now.

Have a read about what position they like as they are quite expensive.  Mine did around 15 years and (I think) flowered only once - it's last year.  It was suggested by local gardeners that it was too exposed to cold winds, but that's how my garden is.  Much of my garden is very shaded by 3 really large 150+ year old trees, and the bits that get the sunshine also get the cold winds!

I wanted one because I used to walk past a lovely mature tree in a park around 50 years ago now and always liked it.