In the article “ Cure Yourself of Tree Blindness ” the authors refers to “tree blindness” as a condition in which during our every day lives we tend not to notice trees or think about their stories, such as what led to them being there, or the natural history of the species. I tend to think of myself as being “tree-sighted” rather than being tree-blind as I often take note of the trees around me wherever I am and try and quiz my friends as to what the species is (This game tends to be more fun for me as my friends don’t know their tree species and find my antics rather tiring).
I live near a college campus in my home town of Zanesville and I often walk around the campus and here are a few of the trees I often point out on my walks!
American sycamore – Platanus occidentalis
The first species that I usually encounter and point out is the American Sycamore. These trees are alternately arranged, and have leaves that have a simple complexity. Upon closer inspection their leaves are found to be lobed with large teeth. However the most identifiable characteristic of this tree is the bark that falls off as new bark growth pushes into the outer bark. These trees are considered to be the most massive trees in the eastern united states, especially in the Ohio and Mississippi river basins (Petrides, 1972). With the enormous size of the trees, the giant hollow trunks were historically used as homes for chimney swifts (Chaetura pelagica) (Lady Bird Johnson).
pawpaw – Asimina Triloba
Another tree I typically encounter on my walks and check frequently is the pawpaw tree! I have always found this specific tree to be interesting as pawpaws often have clonal reproduction however, this one stands alone with no nearby babies! Not only that but pawpaw trees are normally found in the understory of forests, but this one stands out in the open on a roadside! Pawpaw trees have a fruit that is loved by animals and humans alike! Although the fruit of pawpaw trees is edible, they can cause skin irritation and gastrointestinal upset in some people (Lady Bird Johnson). Relatives of the pawpaw belong to the family Annonaceae, the tropical custard-apple family, but pawpaw are one of their northern representatives (Petrides, 1972). Pawpaw have alternate arrangement and a simple complexity but can most easily be distinguished by their fruits in the fall and their 3 petaled flowers in the spring.
pin oak – Quercus palustris
Another species I often find myself looking at is the pin oak! This is part of the red oaks group, so it has bristle tipped lobes and only produces acorns every two years. Given that it is an oak species, pin oak does play a very important role as this genus of species provide around half of the annual hardwood lumber in the United States (Petrides, 1972). Unlike most other oaks however, pin oaks are deeply lobed, almost all the way to midrib. Pin oak specifically is a unique tree because it keeps its lower branches that almost look like they point to the group. This specific oak is also the larval host for the gray hairstreak butterfly (Lady Bird Johnson).
Another place I often find myself taking notes of the trees that I encounter is at work! I work at The Wilds – a 10,000 acre conservation facility in southeastern Ohio. It was heavily mined during the 1970’s, and has areas that have remnant forests, and other areas that have been reforested through plantings.
Tuliptree – Liriodendron tulipifera
One tree that I often find myself point out and talking about is the tuliptree, also known as yellow poplar or tulip poplar! It is located nearby to an area in which we have lots of meals so I often point it out to guests to talk about. Don’t let the name of these trees fool you! Although this tree is sometimes referred to as a poplar it is more closely related to the magnolias than it is the poplars (Petrides, 1972). These trees are found to be alternately arranged with simple leaves. The leaves are considered entire but have a very distinct shape. In the early spring months these trees can be found with flowers on them as well. Tuliptrees were once a species that grew very large in the early ages of forests, but have since been frequently cut for the valuable soft wood. Wood from these trees have been used for canoes, furniture, crates, toys, musical instruments, and pulpwood (Lady Bird Johnson).
eastern cottonwood – Populus deltoides
Another tree that I find myself to be very fond of is the eastern cottonwood, also sometimes referred to as the common cottonwood. Unlike Liridoendron tulipifera, eastern cottonwood is a part of the poplar family which are rapid-growing, short-lived species that are good value for pulpwood (Petrides, 1972). Another part of this tree that has been largely used historically is the bark! Teas made from the bark of the eastern cottonwood have been used for a variety of medicinal purposes such as heartburn, scurvy and for women about to give birth as the bark contains an aspirin-like compound (Lady Bird Johnson). Cottonwoods are alternatively arranged, with simple leaves. Upon further inspection leaves can be found with large teeth, however a more distinguishing characteristic is the flattened petiole of these leaves that give the leaves a trembling appearance in the wind.
sassafras – Sassafras albidium
This specific tree is one I have become personally familiar with as it is a frequent stop for me while performing my day-to-day duties at work. I often stop and take leaves off to crush them up and sniff them for their pleasant aroma. It’s none other than the sassafras tree! These trees are the northernmost New World representative of an important family of tropical trees (Lady Bird Johnson). The lumbar from sassafras is durable and coarse and was once used for barrels, buckets, posts, small boats, dugout canoes, and fuel (Petrides, 1972). These trees have an alternate arrangement, with simple leaves. The leaves are one of the most distinguishing characteristics of this tree as they have differing patters of lobes that can all be represented on one tree!
honey locust – Gleditsia triacanthos
Another tree I often find myself pointing out to guests at work (mainly to ensure they don’t hurt themselves on the giant thorns) is the honey locust tree! These trees are in the Fabaceae family – the legume family, but unlike other legumes this species do not harbor nitrogen fixing bacteria in their roots (Petrides, 1972). This species gains their name from their seed pods, which have a sweet honey-like pulp that animals can consume (Lady Bird Johnson). Other than the notable seed pods, and distinguished thorns, honey locust trees also very distinct leaves! Honey locusts are alternately arranged and have leaves that are bi-pinnately compound!
Another tree that I often find myself pointing out is one at my in-laws house! I point this tree out because it isn’t a tree that is very common to see anymore.
American chestnut – Castanea dentata
The species I always point out is none other than the American chestnut tree! In the early 1900’s a fungus bark disease that was believed to be of Asiatic origin became epidemic and in less that a human generation completely eliminated chestnut as an important forest tree (Petrides, 1972). These two trees in particular stand in the middle of a cultivated field away from the forest, which is likely why the disease was not transmitted to them! The bark of these trees had historically been made into a tea gargled to soothe inflamed tonsils, or and swallowed with honey to cure whooping cough (Lady Bird Johnson). These trees are alternately arranged with simple leaves. The leaves may also be finely toothed. In late fall the fruit of these trees begin to develop and fall so we have to watch out and make sure we don’t step on them!
Sources
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.