What type of tree is this?

I live in S.C. We just moved into our first home. There are two small trees at the front walk that I wanted to take down. I woke up this morning and walked outside to the most wonderful smell engulfing the front yard. It was coming from tiny yellow flowers on these two previously unwanted trees. The smell reminds me of a lemon zest or some sweet jasmine. The trees are about 8 feet tall. The flowers are very tiny and in bunches. Please help!

What type of tree is this?
I am pretty sure the tree in question is a Goldenrain Tree. It flowers late in the summer, and is used widley as an ornimental tree in the southern states. It got its name because when the flowers begin to fall off they fall like rain. After the flowers fall of the fruit is produced, which are colorful paper-like sacs. Maybe it would be worth keeping theses trees!
Reply:Magnolia?
Reply:It is rare for trees to be flowering now, so they could be Witch Hazel. They have leaves that are about five inches long with kind of wavy edges. Or maybe Jessamine, Spicebush, or Sweetleaf, although they flower in spring usually. Try describing the leaves, bark, and the branching pattern for better answers.
Reply:The osmanthus fragrans in question is called "tea olive" around here in Georgia, and while it's not much to look at (not ugly, though), boy, does it smell good. Ours blooms later, but tiny flowers, glorious scent, evergreen, late-blooming = tea olive. This plant can grow to 8-10 feet tall and wide, at least ours has. Nothing like it!
Reply:can you take a pic of it and share it with us....I cant think of any tree like that....? sorry
Reply:Perhaps it's Osmanthus, aka, Sweet Olive. It's actually evergreen shrubs, but it could grow like tree when it mature. The flowers are in white, cream to orange, and its scent is like ripe peach or apricot. I hope you change your mind and keep this wonderful fragrant plants in your yard. You can trim once a year to keep it look nice. I have one in my yard(white flower kind), but the kind I really wanted was the orange flower one. Because I live in Pacific Northwest, I can't find it around here. Orange kind likes warmer climate.
Reply:If it smells like jasmine then.................
Reply:I think the plant you are describing is Osmanthus fragrans. Sorry not to be able to offer the common name, but you can find that out on-line. If it is Osmanthus, it has dark green, somewhat glossy, rather thick leaves - its in the olive family if I recall correctly - and is evergreen. And the flowers are small (about 1/4-1/3 inch across with four petals shaped like an "x"). The scent always reminded me of ripe peach. No, its not an especially attractive plant - but very suitable as a hedge or screen. In this case the "Eyes don't have it', but the "nose knows" better. They are worth saving, even if you have to move them. Best of luck,



jeff

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