PlantFiles: Portugal Laurel, Portuguese Cherry Laurel, Evergreen Bay-Tree, Portugal Cypress
Prunus lusitanica subsp. hixa

after some help identifying this tree (outside of my workplace also) I did some quick research and found it is actually a cherry tree...the fruit (in spain) used to be used for preserves...but has to be fully ripened before using. i have three young seedlings from under the tree to grow in my yard...it is pruned into a hedge in england...can grow as high as 50 feet in the wild, but cultivated specimens rarely go above 30 feet. it likes well drained soil..no wet feet. and prefers sunny locations...but grows well in shaded areas here in southern oregon.

This tree/shrub is growing next to my business building on the north side of the bldg., right next to the asphalt....the roots are pushing it up! I did not plant this tree...may have been planted about 20 years ago....does not receive any extra watering...the summers can be dry around here...but of course it rains alot the rest of the year....it was a big, out of control bush/tree that I pruned severly last summer(2002) about half way up I eliminated all branches (it is about 12 ft. high). Now it has the most beautiful spray of flowers that start out looking like itty bitty green grape clusters...the leaves are a dark glossy green with the stems on the new leaves are reddish...very pretty! When IDing it at the master gardeners office their books stated it was from the Canary Islands.