American Elm (Ulmus americana)
I saw the American Elm on the Hayden Falls forest river trail walkway. The area was dense with trees and since it was a raised walkway, I was easily eye level with large branches and many leaves.
This tree has alternate simple leaves that are double serrated. The trees overall shape is unique as it divides near the ground into multiple large limbs, creating a vase shape.
This species seeds are eaten by many small animals like squirrels and opposums. Unfortunately it is being rapidly decimated by disease. (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.).
The LadyBird Johnson Wildflower Center has more information on the disease affecting American Elms. It says “This well-known, once abundant species, familiar on lawns and city streets, has been ravaged by the Dutch Elm disease, caused by a fungus introduced accidentally about 1930 and spread by European and native elm bark beetles” (https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QURU)
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
I saw this tree near the heron pond at Three Creeks metro park. I saw a green heron near this tree! The oak is easily identifiable by its acorns and distinct lobes.
The leaves are alternate simple and lobed with sharp tips. The acorn cup is flat. They are similar to black oaks but most easily distinguished by their lack of hair on the underside of the leaf. (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.).
According to The LadyBird Johnson Wildflower Center this tree can reach up to 120 feet and is very commonly used as lumber in the United States (https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ULAM)
Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica var. subintegerrima)
I saw this Ash tree on the Hayden Falls forest river trail walkway. The area was dense with trees and since it was a raised walkway, I was easily eye level with large branches and many leaves.
Leaves are opposite, pinnately compound, and entire with smooth margins. White and green Ash are very similar, but I believe this is green Ash because its twigs are shiny and the leaflet undersides are green. Both have 5-9 leaflets and short leaflet stalks, and can have toothed margins or not. Additionally it is not Red Ash because it is not hairy and not Black Ash because it is not toothed.
Native Americans once used the sap to make a bitter 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, 428 pp.).
Flowers occur in small clusters with male and female on separate trees. (https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=FRPE)
Black Willow (Salix fragilis)
I saw this Willow tree on the Hayden Falls forest river trail walkway. Willows are often seen close to rivers or mountainsides and this area had both.
The leaves are alternate simple with finely serrated edges. They are long and thin as often willow leaves are.
Willow bark provides tannins and a medicinal substance called salicin. (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.).
Willows are important because they can help control erosion on riverbanks and mountainsides. (https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SANI)
Redbud Tree (Cercis canadensis)
I saw this Willow tree on the Hayden Falls forest river trail walkway. It was interesting to see their fruits early in the summer.
Redbud leaves are heart shaped alternate simple leaves. Their red purple flowers appear before the leaves. It’s fruit is dried pods as pictured above.
Its red roots are used in dyes and its wood is sometimes used commercially. (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.).
The flowers are edible and the Ladybird Johnson wildflower center recommends eating them in a salad or fried. (https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CECA4)
Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)
I saw these roses on the Hayden Falls forest river trail walkway. They were growing quite thick and beginning to lean over onto the walkway.
These are an invasive species from Asia. Their leaves are pinnately compound with usually 7-9 leaflets. Their flowers are white or pink with 5 petals.
The multiflora rose is distinguished by its large stipules extending outward. (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.).
According to a Uconn page on invasive species, stems can bend to the soil surface, where they can then take root and form new (clonal) plants. (https://ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu/invasive_plants_multiflora_rose/)
Standish Honeysuckle or possibly Amur Honeysuckle
I saw the Honeysuckle on the Hayden Falls forest river trail walkway. The area was dense with trees and since it was a raised walkway, I was easily eye level with large branches and many leaves.
One of the two invasive asiatic species of honeysuckle, this tree has white distinctly honeysuckle shaped flowers that bloom in pairs and thorns. It’s leaves are opposite simple and smooth along the edges. The twigs and leaves are finely hairy.
The standish honeysuckle escaped from gardens on Long Island, New York. (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.).
According to Minnesota wild flowers, a key distinguishing feature is that its flowers and leaves are nearly stalkless. (https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/shrub/amur-honeysuckle)
Sugar Maple (Acer Saccharum)
I saw the Sugar Maple tree on the Hayden Falls forest river trail walkway. The area was dense with trees and since it was a raised walkway, I was easily eye level with large branches and many leaves.
These leaves are opposite simple with 5 lobes separated by moderately deep notches. They are a pale green underneath and usually hairless.
Their dry double winged fruits (keys) are often eaten by birds and squirrels (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.).
The Sugar Maple is Canada’s national tree. It can produce 5-50 gallons of sap a year! (https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ACSA3)