Anyone know what kind of tree this is?

I took these pictures just outside of my apartment a day ago. This tree is so beautiful I was amazed. The berries are fleshy like a cherry but I don't know what they are for sure. They almost seem edible? Of course I am not going to try that unless I know for sure what it is. So far as I can tell from my online research it looks like it may be Green Hawthorn also known as Crataegus viridis, 'Winter King'. Didn't know if anyone had experience with these and would be willing to share info about what exactly the tree is and whether or not the berries are edible??? They are yellow fleshy inside with a seed and they have a fragrant sweet smell??? I picked these up off the ground.

I going to say Rowan which is a kind of Hathorne.

crabapple?

Are the leaves a dark reddish? It almost looks like a flowering plum.

eta -- nope, I think I'm wrong after looking at the enlarged pix. Hmmmmm...

if it's a hawthorne, the berries are edible. They are extremely high in antioxidants. The same is true if it is a crab apple.
I am certain they are edible, but they might not taste good.
We have hawthornes here and last year they had a great crop, they were BRIGHT red (the berries) we served them with Christmas dinner. a few were eaten by my brave sons.

I guess the weird part is that the berries are the only thing left at this time of year? I'm originally from the midwest so I'm familiar with crabapples and they lose their fruit in the fall. I'm living on the east coast now so this is definitely something new to me. I am very interested in biology so this is something I pay attention to. I would LOVE to make some jelly with these berries if I just knew if it was safe. If it IS Hawthorn there are many cardiovascular benefits they provide.

Unfortunately I don't remember what the leaves even looked like. It seems to me I remember a tree with red leaves being there before b/c I saw the leaves when I rode my bike up that hill.

Weird that the berries are left- what self respecting bird would let those alone?
When I first saw it, I guessed choke-cherry, but since the birds are leaving them alone, I would, too.

I wouldn't jelly it, you might be rendered mute, or get a rash, or your hair will fall out. I dunno.

Google image search for Hawthorn Berry gives a whole lot of pictures that look like yours.

That's what I love about these, they can have a beautiful shape. With the berries they can be very striking in a winter landscape.

Have you checked with your local Ag Extension Agent? Most counties have an office, or at least there's a state office.

Bmccasland - I have emailed Penn State division of horticulture but that's it so far.:)

I feel a little unnerved by the birds leaving them alone too.

If you have a local Master Gardener's Association, they can tell you what it is, and if it's edible, they can probably tell you how to prepare it, can it, and whatever else you'd like to try with it.

Roxy

I once had something like that that popped out of a planting bed. After five years, fruit showed up. It was that size and color with pits. It was a wild persimmon. Good luck in the search

hawthornes lose their leaves and just the berries are left which fall slowly all winter.

Most Hawthornes have very prominent, long, straight, sharp thorns. I can't tell from your pictures if there are any on yours or not...

Whatever it is, it sure is lovely!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WindingRoad

I feel a little unnerved by the birds leaving them alone too.

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That would unnerve me too. I think birds (cedar waxwings for sure) love hawthornes.

haws have a really pasty flesh compared to a crabapple. they taste very bland (you have to taste them!)
crab apples are SUPER SOUR.. so just taste one. you can do it.
if it tastes bad, just spit it out.

I remembered this post when I saw this photo of a cedar waxwing chowing down on hawthorn berries.