Help ID a tree please

[socalgardengal]

I just moved to a new house and was wondering what this tree is called and how I would go about trimming it. The humming birds love it but it looks a bit over grown. Please help me ID it so I can learn how to take care of it. Thank you.

[habitat_gardener]

Not sure what it is. Do the leaves have a fragrance? What does the bark feel like?

It looks like it's been pollarded and has sprouted new stems from the stubs.

[tlintx]

I was going to suggest an orchid tree but I can't tell. The only thing people cut back like that around here are Crape Myrtles. Can you get a close-up on a leaf and a flower?

http://www.redwoodbarn.com/fallcolor/fallcolor.html

[socalgardengal]

The bark is kind of smooth. It grows tiny 1" yellow tube flowers.No fragrance that I notice. I'll post a close up pic

[socalgardengal]

Here are some close up pics of the flowers

[dpurdy]

socalgardengal,
The tree in your picture is, I believe, is called Tree Tobacco.
Common Name: Tree Tobacco, Indian Tobacco
Scientific Name: Nicotiana glauca
Family: Solanaceae, Nightshade family
Plant Type: Perennial, evergreen
Size: Open shrub or small tree up to 25 feet tall
Common Habitat: quite ubiquitous in stream beds, roadsides, disturbed areas
non-native, poisonous and invasive

I located it in one of my reference books. Here's a little background on the tree.

Tree Tobacco does not have a glowing reputation in the Santa Monicas, likely owing to its commonness but more probably to its non-native status. It is, however, one of the few plants in our area that still flowers into late fall and early winter months, a welcoming sight in the browned landscape. This fast-growing, poisonous plant was brought from South America - probably Argentina - in the late 1800s. It can be found growing below 4000 feet. The species name glauca means bluish-gray, referring to the color of the 1 to 4 inch long oval-shaped leaves found alternating on long stems. The flowers are 1 1/4 to 2-inches long, yellow and tubular, congregating at the ends of branches. Common bloom time is April to November, but it doesn't always obey the schedule, especially in the warmer parts of the area.

It is technically a misnomer to refer to Nicotiana glauca as Indian Tobacco, as that is the common name of a separate species, though this and others in the Nicotiana genus are often grouped and referred to as such. Common characteristics of Nicotiana are a sticky leaf texture, smelly odor, and narcotic properties. As the name suggests, members of this genus were of social and medicinal uses to native peoples of the region. They may also repel insects. As mentioned above, the plant is non-native, poisonous and invasive.

I hope this helps you to identify the tree.
dpurdy

[socalgardengal]

Wowee..you got it! Those are the exact same flowers on my tree! There are 2 of them in the backyard. THANK YOU VERY MUCH Dpurdy!