I’ve been helped before with some weird tree questions and have always been impressed with the board knowledge.

I was at a park and saw a tree I’ve never seen before. Is this typical of this type of tree or could it be stress or something else. The branches or limbs are all kinked up and there’s not a single straight limb on this tree. Very weird.

I like it! But have no idea if it's supposed to be that way or not.

ETA according to an app I have, that's a Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) Also known as Black gum, Sour gum, Pepperidge or Beetlebung.

It also says it's sick! So maybe the limbs aren't supposed to look like that.

Kind of looks like a deciduous Magnolia tree, they are often very twisty. Knowing the general location might help nail it down.

Here's what AI says:

The tree in your photo is a **corkscrew willow** (also known as curly willow, botanical name *Salix matsudana* 'Tortuosa' or *Salix babylonica* f. *tortuosa*)[6][8][3]. This species is well-known for its highly distinctive, twisted, and contorted branches, which are a natural and normal characteristic of the tree.

## Identification

- **Branch Structure:** The branches and twigs grow in a curly, zig-zag, or corkscrew pattern, twisting in various directions rather than growing straight[6][8][3].
- **Leaves:** The leaves are typically slender and may also show some curling, emerging green in spring and turning yellow in fall[6][8].
- **Growth Habit:** Corkscrew willows usually have an upright form, unlike weeping willows, and can reach heights of 20–40 feet at maturity[8][3].

## Are the Branches Normal?

Yes, the twisted branches are completely normal for this species and are the primary ornamental feature that makes corkscrew willows popular in landscaping. The contorted growth is not a sign of disease or stress but is a genetic trait selected for its unique appearance[6][8][3].

## Additional Notes

- **Seasonal Interest:** The tree is especially striking in winter when the bare, curly branches are fully visible[6][3].
- **Growth Rate:** Corkscrew willows are fast-growing and relatively short-lived compared to other trees[6][8].
- **Care:** They thrive in full sun to part shade and prefer moist soil[6][8].

**In summary:** Your tree is a corkscrew willow, and the twisted branches are a normal, healthy, and desirable feature of this variety[6][8][3].

Citations:
[1] https://pplx-res.cloudinary.co...2493137052253991.jpg
[2] https://fafard.com/specimen-tr...ly-twisted-branches/
[3] https://bowerandbranch.com/pro...s/curly-locks-willow
[4] https://crataegus.com/2022/09/30/why-do-trees-twist/
[5] https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/pl...s-avellana-contorta/
[6] https://www.thespruce.com/cork...lant-profile-4844346
[7] https://www.epicgardening.com/trees-twisted-branches/
[8] https://myperfectplants.com/pr...ts/cork-screw-willow
[9] https://facilities.utah.edu/tr...me=contorted-filbert
[10] https://homenursery.com/Plant-...tes/Twisted-Branches
[11] https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=twisted+branches
[12] https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=twisted+trees
[13] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAiNknqHcko
[14] https://www.epicgardening.com/trees-unique-foliage/
[15] https://arboretum.harvard.edu/...es-in-the-arboretum/
[16] https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/...es_other_than_leaves
[17] https://www.parks.ox.ac.uk/contorted-plants

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Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

Wow thanks for the quick replies. The tree is at Tower Grove park in St. Louis that I will be going to later today. It is surrounded by Magnolias everywhere so that’s an interesting comment.

It also didn’t look super healthy the last time I was at the park so that’s will be interesting to check out later today.

I’ve never heard of a corkscrew Willow so that’s very cool.

IDK what it is, but I've never seen a willow with elliptical-looking leaves. They all seem to have rather longer and thinner leaves.

I dunno...

I'm stumped.

Pull down a few leafs and smoke them, see what happens.
You could be on to something.

It looks like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree.

Definitely not a corkscrew willow.

quote:

Originally posted by armored:
Pull down a few leafs and smoke them, see what happens.
You could be on to something.

I like this answer best

Well the tree definitely was having problems because it’s about dead. It’s weird that it was sick long enough to create all the zig zag branches though.

Pretty cool that the software 6guns used said it was sick well before it got this bad.




This is the tree right next to it if anyone is interested. There is a row of 20ft+ Magnolias after this tree.

I now question the results of my app, but for the above tree, it says it's a Sweet Olive also known as Sweet osmanthus, Fragrent tea olive, Tea olive, Fragrant olive.

Say it looks healthy.