In a message dated 96-01-25 15:14:53 EST, Dennis Paulson writes:

>I wonder if the mystery waxwing tree at Pearrygin State Park might have
>been Russian olive.

Thanks Dennis. I think you might be right. I suspected that it might have
been an exotic or ornamental by the way they were planted around the
Pearrygin campground, but couldn't find a likeness in my tree books.
However, I looked Russian olive up in Brockman's "Golden Field Guide" and
found it kind of tucked away on the very last plate p.270. The leaves look
right but the plate shows only two berries. Perhaps they are actually more
numerous on bracts than the plate suggests. Anyway, I brought back a sample
and hope to confirm the ID. Any other feedback from *tree experts* will be
welcome. Thanks. --Richard


Richard Rowlett <pagodroma at aol.com>
Bellevue, WA, USA