Tree identity

[sallybb]

On more than one occession I have tried to buy for my sister a tree that she likes. 3 years ago I bought what I thought was the tree she wanted, but got it wrong.
So I am now determined to get it right.
It has bright green leaves in the spring early summer, white flowers. At this time of year It has the darkest red leaves I think I have even come across, almost Ox-blood. The leaves are pinate , and look quite spikey. Fairly small tree.
It has been suggested it is from the Sorbus species, but the trees I passed today have no berries. It can very often be seen in supermarket carparks.
Have tried multiple Garden centres who tell me if I can find its name they'll order it.
Any suggestions please and thanks for any replies.

[bookbinder]

This tree identification website might help:
http://www-saps.plant...ac.uk/trees/index.htm

[follyfancier]

could it be a Rowan,they should have berries now in either orange or red and some of them will have very dark red leaves, but I have noticed that the more sheltered they are the less likely it is that they go as dark as they can do in full windy weather

[sallybb]

Thanks bookbinder, have just looked through all sorbus onthat site , ashes, rowan , whitebeam any thing that might have pinnate leaves. Have googled pinnate leaves dark red autumn colour also with no luck.
follyfancier have Rowan in our garden definately not one ,
thanks to both of you.

[e.crespo]

Sally, could it be an Alamanchier? http://www.google.co....QsAQ&biw=1280&bih=642

[Ann]

It sounds just like an amelanchier as e.crespo suggested - I used to have one in my garden, its extremely pretty, especially with the Autumn colour.

[rowanwitch]

Amelanchier doesn't have pinnate leaves.... the darkest reds are the dissected purple maples, which could look pinnate at first glance sometimes Nyassa but that hasn't got pinnate leaves, The white berried rowan goes a darker red sometimes and the sorbus family are the main pinnate small trees seen in the uk and rhus puts on a good show but the flower spike is red,,,

What is the bark like? brownish/greyish/ ridged/smooth/scaley/peeling
and what is the leaf canopy like...light and delicate or heavy /dense... I think we need more info

[rowanwitch]

also worth checking Ailanthus Altissima the tree of heaven,, not sure what colour it goes in the autumn but the rest of the description fits

[sallybb]

Have Alamanchier and purple maples in our garden, sorry not them afraid.
Not familiar with Ailanthus Altissima, but have googled images. The branches stay more erect with smaller leaf's.
Not sure of bark at moment, but the canopies are very dense with leafs and branches and twigs seem to upright.
I think I'm am going to have to go to Tescos and take photos before the leaf's drop. Shame they dont sell them 'bogof'. Thanks for all your suggestions.

[rowanwitch]

american rowan sorbus americanum has leaved that go a really dark oxblood colour one growing near where I work got off bus to read the label and you can't see the berries very well...

[sallybb]

Rowanwitch, Have googled autumn images, the colour is certainly intense enough, and is a probability, thanks for keeping an eye open, shall look further into it. Many thanks.

[LesterBee]

I'm pretty sure the tree you are looking for is named Fraxinus Angustifolia, common name Raywood Claret Ash. Below is a link to the tree on Backyard Gardener (Note incorrect spelling on this site as Fraxinus Augustifolia not Angustifolia). Click on the "Google Images" link at the top of the page to see pics. It took me three years to identify this same tree, a favourite of mine also! Hope this helps and is not too late!

http://www.backyardga...antname/pda_f4f6.html

[sallybb]

LesterBee, I think that is the one, have only seen it in car parks and urban landscaping, but that looks spot on. Hadn't realised it grew so large though, the trees here locally must be very young. Thank you.
Ironically the original tree I bought my sister was a purple leaved ash and it died.
She has since planted a Robina to replace it which is now also dying, its likely there is something wrong with soil in that area she is using , and needs a soil test. Thanks again, now to find a specimen that she can plant elsewhere in her garden.