The trees of Columbus, Ohio!
Throughout this survey project I have noticed how quickly I have fallen back into “tree blindness” as stated in the New York Times article, written by Gabriel Popkin. I remember discussing this topic in another class and how I promised to myself I would go out and really study the trees around me. Though as one might have guessed, this promise quickly vanished into thin air and I never thought twice about it. I wouldn’t say I’m completely “tree blind” all the time, it would just depend on who I am with. For example, whenever my sister and I go on hikes or walks we always try to identify plants we see, whether new or old. Sometimes we use the app Seek and other times we just compare our knowledge (because neither of us ever carry the field guides around hehe). On the other hand, if I am walking with my friends I am usually too immersed in conversation or don’t wanna feel awkward pointing out a tree I recognize to pay much attention. I will try to improve upon this and acknowledge all life around me when out in the wilderness, because it feels good to know a tree and be able to identify one outside of a classroom!
River birch – Betula nigra
The first tree I found was a River birch at The Columbus Museum of Art! I will not lie this one had me stumped (haha get it??)… I used Safari to make sure these trees can be in Ohio, and don’t have to grow along the river (as the name suggests) and it turns out as a landscape tree they can be almost anywhere! Some identifiable features include; shaggy bark, simple leaf complexity, alternate arrangement, serrated leaves, and bark color can range from white to black.
Two fun facts, just for you!
1. Young branches often peel in red-brown flakes (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 428 pp.)
2. These beautiful trees can reach up to 90 ft in height! (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (ACSA2))
Shagbark Hickory – Carya ovata
The next tree up is Shagbark Hickory! This was found right beside the parking lot at Blacklick Woods Metro Park. I could tell pretty quickly that this was a Hickory tree given the palmately compound, opposite leaves, but was unsure until I looked a little further at the bark. The peeling bark is a great indicator that this is a Shagbark, although it isn’t as rough and crazy as some of the older Shagbarks I have seen. I can assume it is just younger and hasn’t fully developed all its “shag.” Also, this tree was one of the few trees that had reachable leaves so I assume they have gotten a little beaten up being so close to the sidewalk (as you can see in the second photo).
Two Fun facts!
1. Shagbark nuts are egg-shaped and edible! (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 428 pp.)
2. The name “hickory” is from pawcohiccora, an Algonquian word for the oily food removed from pounded kernels steeped in boiling water. This sweet hickory milk was used in cooking corn cakes and hominy. (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (ACSA2))
Common Pawpaw – Asimina triloba
This Pawpaw tree was also found in Blacklick Woods Metro Park. Pawpaws produce fruits that are large and have a pear-like outer appearance! This tree is visibly young and has yet to produce fruit. Some noticeable features about this species are their massive leaves and buds. The leaves are simple and alternate while the buds are long, pointed and fuzzy. The two pictures below show you a little more!
Two fun facts!
1. Leaves are usually over 6” long and wedge-shaped. (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 428 pp.)
2. Along with people, wildlife like opossums, squirrels, raccoons, and birds enjoy Pawpaw fruit. (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (ACSA2))
Hackberry – Celtis occidentalis
If you didn’t already guess it, this tree was found in Blacklick Woods Metro Park! A Hackberry has very distinctive bark that looks rough and almost incomplete. If you can tell by its bark that it’s a hackberry, the leaves are simple, alternate and serrated that taper to a fine toothed point. It was a real pleasure seeing this tree, and although some might find the bark disturbing, I think it’s beautiful.
Two fun facts!
1. The leaves have a sandpapery texture. (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 428 pp.)
2. Not so fun fact, these trees are frequently heavily parasitized by mistletoe. (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (ACSA2))
American beech – Fagus grandifolia
An American beech found in…. Drumroll please…. Blacklick Woods Metro Park! I knew this tree felt familiar when I got closer because of the long scaly buds, but didn’t know why. On closer inspection and with help from the field guide I determined it was an American beech! If the buds don’t help you identify this tree, some noticeable characteristics an American beech has are; many parallel veins, serrated leaves, simple complexity, alternate arrangement, and gray smooth bark.
Two fun facts!
1. Fruits are small triangular nuts that are edible! (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 428 pp.)
2. The trunks are favorites for carving and preserving initials and dates indefinitely. (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (ACSA2))
Quaking aspen – Populus tremuloides
Time to switch it up because this is a different location! This Quaking aspen is from my backyard (sorry that’s all information on location you can get)! This tree is probably my favorite, because I love watching them in the wind! If you are unfamiliar with this species, they have a flattened stem (petiole) which causes them to tremble in the slightest breeze. Another notable feature is there somewhat heart-shaped leaves that have pale prominent veins.
Two fun facts!
1. Upper bark is whitish with dark blotches, and the twigs are reddish-brown. (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 428 pp.)
2. Aspens are hosts to a wide array of life, such as, birds, mammals, and butterflies. (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (ACSA2))
American elm – Ulmus americana
Okay we are back to Blacklick Woods Metro Park, I’m sorry just hang in there. An American Elm is strongly identifiable by their dark and light layered corky bark. If you’ve never felt one, I recommend it as they feel so fun and not tree-like. Another way to identify an American elm is by their small rounded reddish-brown buds. The leaves are also simple, alternate, generally oval, and strongly asymmetrical at the base.
Two fun facts!
1. Twigs and buds are hairless or nearly, and the bark is corky. (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 428 pp.)
2. Since the wood is relatively odorless, it has been used to make crates and barrels for cheeses, fruits and vegetables. (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (ACSA2))
White ash – Fraxinus americana
Last, but not least we have a White ash. Also found in my backyard! I was quickly captivated by this tree because of the white underside of the leaves and decided that I just needed to know what it was. I determined that this tree is a White ash with the felid guide. White ash trees have pinnately compound, opposite leaves with brown side buds usually in deep U- or V-shaped upper notches.
Two fun facts!
1. Leaf scars are deeply notched. (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 428 pp.)
2. The wood of a white ash is suited for making baseball bats, tennis rackets, hockey sticks, polo mallets, oars, and playground equipment. (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (ACSA2))
