Tree Blind
Upon reading this article, I have realized just how out of touch I am with the nature that surrounds us. I think that just because we live in a city, that we are totally disconnected from nature, and that one must travel far away to seek intimate relationships our forests. This is not true, however. On my way to class every single day, I follow the Olentangy trail, which is lined with trees majority of the way and the area in which all of the following trees were sited. All of these trees inhabit woodlands located in the floodplains east of the Olentangy River.
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Though Tulip-trees can be taller, American Sycamores are widely considered to be the most massive tree in the Eastern United States (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 204 pp.).
The hollow trunks of old, giant Sycamores used to be homes for chimney swifts (https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PLOC)
Simple lobed leaves oppositely arranged. Sort of resembles that of maples but larger and more shallowly lobed. Mature trees have pale bark that peels off.
Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
Bark is smooth, yellow-green when young and becomes dark and ridged as the tree matures (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 212 pp.).
The Eastern Cottonwood is one of the fastest growing native trees. Their first year of life, they can grow as much as 13 feet tall and growing 5 feet annually thereafter (https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PODE3).
Alternate toothed triangular leaves, simple in complexity, and with flattened leaf stalks
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Opposite simple leaves that are 5-lobed. The quintessential Maple leaf. They have samaras that are U-shaped. An excellent tree to catch lots of shade under.
One of the most valuable hardwoods, as it is harvested for its lumber, but also its sap in order to make maple syrup. (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 97 pp.)
Sugar maple is also Canada’s national tree! How cool! (https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ACSA3)
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Described in the guide as the “handsomest” eastern forest tree (Who made that call lol), in addition to being the tallest. (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 203 pp.)
Pioneers hollowed single logs to make long, lightweight canoes. (https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LITU)
Large notched 4-pointed leaves that are simple in complexity and alternately arranged. This tree is very tall and tends to grow straight up.
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
Alternate pinnately compound leaves, between 7-17 narrow toothed leaflets.
Tomatoes, apples, or other plants may not survive near black walnuts because of the chemical Juglone that the tree releases, which inhibits growth of other plants. (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 135 pp.)
One of the most coveted native hardwoods, super sturdy and durable which is great for furniture making (https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=JUNI)
Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
Opposite pinnately compound leaves, 5-9 leaflets. Green ash have D-shaped leaf scars that can be useful to tell it apart from the similar white ash, whose leaf scars are U-shaped.
Twigs hairless, shiny and have brownish buds. Bark of trunk is tight and closely furrowed. Trees can reach 60-70 feet tall. (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 50 pp.)
The most widespread native ash, with its range nearly reaching the Rocky Mountains! (https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=FRPE)
White Mulberry (Morus alba)
Simple alternate leaves that have highly variable margins. The can be anywhere from unlobed to 7-lobed on the same individual. Leaves are also coarsely toothed.
Introduced by British before the Revolution in unsuccessful attempt to establish silk worm industry. (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 207 pp.)
A fast growing tree that can tolerate a variety of soil and moisture conditions, which is one of the main reasons that it is thriving so well outside of its native environment (https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/tree/white-mulberry)
Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
Bristle-tipped lobed leaves that are simple in complexity and alternate in arrangement. Deeply furrowed dark bark that I have been told resembles pajama pants.
Similar to black oak leaves, but hairless, thin, and dull above. (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 218 pp.)
A popular urban tree as it looks good on streets, is very dense to provide shade, is very strong, and can endure very cold weather (https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QURU)