Shrub/plant/tree Identification

[SamCastle]

Hi folks
Hoping someone in here can help.
Ive just moved house and have a number of plants/shrubs in the front garden and I need to identify one of them.
Ive attached a couple of images and hope someone knows what it is

 

[cpp gardener]

Can you get some pictures of the leaves and small branches? Are there any flowers or old flower clusters?

 

[SamCastle]

Can you get some pictures of the leaves and small branches? Are there any flowers or old flower clusters?

Hi yes there are old clusters. Are these images any good?

 

[cpp gardener]

Closer would be better, but my best guess would be Escallonia. That’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen, if that‘s what it is.

 

[SamCastle]

Closer would be better, but my best guess would be Escallonia. That’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen, if that‘s what it is.

Ah ok thank you, I've tried to get a better picture as per below

 

[Anniekay]

The bark looks like a Bay tree bark. Pull off a leaf and see if when you crumble it it smells like a bay leaf.

 

[oneeye]

It's hard for me to know what kind of tree you have there. One thing I do know is that tree is planted too close to the house. I'm surprised that it hasn't done any damage to the building being that close. I would remove it before it gets worse.

 

[cpp gardener]

Yes, Escallonia. The dried flower clusters are key. Being basically a very large shrub, the house is in no danger.

 

[SamCastle]

Yes, Escallonia. The dried flower clusters are key. Being basically a very large shrub, the house is in no danger.

Thank you for your help, much appreciated