Idenifying a plant

[modeller]

My friend has a 3 year old plant about 1.5m in height and width which has been identified as a Tree fern, or Tree heath or a Tree heather or Erica. arborea. Are these all the same plant ? It has tiny lime green needle size leaves and is very soft too touch. The tiny white flowers occur in May.

[Mr Veritas]

Hello there,
I don't think it's a tree fern
See here:~
http://www.naturephoto-cz.com/photos/sevcik/tr ee-fern--0003.jpg
as these can grown to an enormous height.
This is a Tree Heather
http://www.marengowalks.com/marengo_images/Eri ca_arborea_080321-01.jpg
which is just like an ordinary Heather but grows into a large bush/small tree.
As the Latin name of Heather is Erica,I would assume that Erica Arborea (meaning Woody Heather) would be the same plant.
However,here is a picture of Erica Arborea just to confirm the matter:~
http://courses.washington.edu/ehuf331/Photos/E rica_arborea_1_kbComp.jpg

[modeller]

Thanks I think you are right.