Trees!

Trees, Trees, and Trees, Oh My!

Welcome back everyone! This page is going to go in depth about one of my favorite outdoor activities… staring at trees! I have recently heard and read about a term flying around in relation to trees, coined “tree blindness”. This is the unfortunate phenomenon of not being able to recognize, or know to recognize, all the wonderful types of trees around us. I was guilty of this at one point, I knew of apple trees, and Christmas trees, and “pine” trees of course! (Disclaimer: not all conifers are pines!) But I was completely unaware of how much I did not know about a natural resource I see daily, until I took a dendrology class. Now, using the identification skills I’ve learned, a field guide, and passionate mindset, I have the power to recognize one of natures coolest plants; and you can too!

I am proud that I have broken the tree blindness cycle, but I could not have done it alone. Thanks for being here, this is the first step to rehabilitation and I’ll be with you the whole way. I am going to outline 8 common tree species you’ll find around central Ohio, and hopefully when you’re out taking a walk, or driving around to work – you’ll begin to notice our big green friends more often.

Something I would like you to think about through the duration of this read and take with you as you leave is this, “Yes people may look curiously if you stop to study a tree. But so what? Let yourself go wild” (Popkin., The New York Times).

Popkin, G. (2017, August 26). Cure yourself of tree blindness. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/26/opinion/sunday/cure-yourself-of-tree-blindness.html

Honey Locust – Gleditsia triacanthos
Family Fabaceae

 

 

Eastern (common) Cottonwood – Populus deltoides

Family Salicaceae

The eastern cottonwood also is a recognizable tree, you’ll come to find that I think most trees are easily recognizable, once you know the signs to look for you’ll feel like this too! Cottonwoods are known to like moist, well-drained soil and you’ll often find them hanging around riverbanks, just like the one below! You might know cottonwood best from all of the white fuzz that flies around in early spring, gives you allergy attacks and gets stuck in your windshield, yeah that stuff. While I do not have any photos of the flower pods due to the time of year, trust me that they start off as a bright red flower cluster called a catkin, and eventually turn into the cotton seed tufts that are wind dispersed. When we aren’t being bombarded by seeds, the leaves are actually the recognizable feature to me. The eastern cottonwood has alternate arrangement, with simple complexity and triangular leaf shape (1). The special part about eastern cotton wood is the leaves’ leafstalks/petiole, this is the stem that attaches the leaf to the twig. The petioles of these cottonwoods are flattened and allow the leaf to move freely as the wind blows past (2). This is an advantageous trait as it lessens wind damage to the tree and increasing sun exposure to the leaves. The carefree movement of the leaves and the contrasting bright green top and light green bottom of the leaves make the leaves almost twinkle when wind blows past them – making them stand out!

Fun Fact #1: This tree has been utilized by Native American tribes in a number of different ways including medicine, food, and dye. The Northern Cheyenne Indians of Montana have used the buds and fruit to make dyes and paint (red, yellow, purple, green, and white)!  Native American Ethnobotany: A Database of Foods, Drugs, Dyes and Fibers of Native American Peoples, Derived from Plants

Fun Fact #2: Cottonwoods belong to the Populus genus, this includes poplars, aspens and cottonwoods – of the species in Populus with flattened leafstalks eastern cottonwood has small glands attached to the stem they are a gummy texture and lack the fir fragrance that other species have. (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 211 pp.)

 

Common Catalpa – Catalpa bignonioides

Family Bignoniaceae

Bignoniaceae, more like, literally the biggest leaf you’re ever going to see on a tree (1). Seriously though, the leaves of catalpa are so large they could be the punchline of a bad “your mama’s so” joke. OK ok, catalpa leaves are simple in complexity and drum roll please.. whorled arrangement! Not a lot of trees have whorled arrangement and its a very cool feature. Whorled means the leaves grow outward completely around the branch (2). Catalpa prefer moist to wet soils, usually silty, I found this particular one on a small sandy island just shy of a river, it took up most of the space at around 20 feet high! These flowers and seed pods of this tree are just like the heart shaped leaves, showy. It has big white flowers that come out in May/June and they form green to brown slender seed pods that can grow up to 18in in length (3). These trees often attract “catawba worms”, green and white caterpillars that can easily defoliate an entire tree, not to worry though, they are able to re-grow their leaves within a short time period since it grows so rapidly.

Fun Fact #1: Due to the showy features of catalpa it is considered ornamental and sought after, however landowners/landscapers consider this tree a nuisance since the leaves smell when crushed, the flower stage is very brief, and then they decay on the ground.  Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (CABI8)

Fun Fact #2: Catalpa were once used as showy fence posts, but even its fast growing nature cannot keep up with frosts, storm damage, or insect attacks for too long. Luckily, catawba worms are great fish bait! Save a catalpa, use catawba bait! (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Miflin, 85 pp.)

 

 

American Basswood – Tilia americana 

Family Malvaceae

The American basswood is a common deciduous tree found throughout Ohio. This tree is located on a college campus and acts as a shade tree between a courtyard and a parking lot, it provides relief for many exhausted college students as they make their daily treks. American basswoods prefer dry, rich, well-drained soils, this tree is up-hill to a major river so this makes sense considering its preferences. It has alternate arrangement with simple leaves, and a serrate or toothed margin (1). They grow small yellow, aromatic flowers in late spring early summer, which attract bees and birds. Basswoods have small winged nuts which are wind and animal dispersed. These nuts grow in clusters and are indicative of the American basswood (2). This is a trait I look for when identifying this particular tree.

Fun Fact #1: The flowers of basswood can be added to a warm bath, along with a cup of basswood flower-tea, for a relaxing and soothing experience. It is said that this regiment can cure cold symptoms, but don’t take it from me, take it from the bees! American basswood is favored by bees and produces a flavored honey. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (TIAM)

Fun Fact #2: Their are multiple species of basswood in the Tilia genus, all of which are hard to tell apart. So difficult in fact, that they have been given their own basswood key to help identify them in the Petrides’ Trees and Shrubs Field Guide. (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.)

 

American Sycamore – Platanus occidentalis

Family Platanaceae

When I think true patriotic America, I think American sycamore. This tree is easily going to be one of the biggest in your neighborhood, has large in your face leaves, and tri-colored bark. I mean it just fits. Its alternating simple leaves look similar to a Norway maple but you can’t get the two confused when they’re attached to the whole tree – the bark is a dead giveaway! If you do want to be able to tell the two apart if they were simply leaf litter, sycamore has broader, blunt tipped leaves, which are usually larger than maple leaves (1). Sycamores can grow up to 175 feet tall and have a large branch range which creates a big open crown. This is a great shade tree and is often found in neighborhoods for this reason. They require high amounts of rain, and prefer moist soils. Sycamores have small red/brown buds. They have standout fruits as well, while some might call it a nut it isn’t technically, even though it is “nut-like”. Sycamores have a special type of fruit called an achene. An achene is a ball of many individual seeds, another popular achene is actually the white tuft seeds of dandelions! As the seeds of sycamores mature they go from hard balls to gradually more fluffy as the seeds mature and spread. Mature sycamores have bark that looks as if it is mottling away in plates or spots to show the light inner bark (2,3).

Fun Fact #1: Step over maples! American sycamores can be tapped for sap, you need 10 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup. The sap has a very low sugar content so it isn’t very sweet but you can still make a tasty drink using it.  Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (PLOC)

Fun Fact #2: Sycamore is said to be the tallest and biggest tree in eastern U.S. A sycamore log was once used to make a canoe that was 65 feet long, and weighed around 9000 pounds! Impressive bark means impressive builds. (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.)

Ginkgo (Maidenhair tree) – Ginkgo biloba

Family Ginkgoaceae

Ginkgo is a favorite tree of mine. It has very dainty and pretty leaves, since it is a non-native tree species you won’t find any North American trees with these characteristic leaves. It is normally found in urban, cultivated areas and is adaptable to harsh environments. It can grow in dry, poor soils. I found this particular tree in an arboretum close to a main road. Something I would like to address is the relationship between non-native and invasive species. You can be native and non-invasive, native and invasive, non-native and non-invasive, or non-native and invasive – what I am trying to say is that these terms are not dependent of each other. Non-native species usually have negative connotations associated with them, but isn’t always inherently bad! Ginkgo’s are an example of this, they do not hold invasive tendencies and are great shade trees! Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, Ginkgo’s have alternately arranged leaves, with simple complexity and a distinct fan shape with numerous veins (1). The veins fork out from the base of the leaf and do not cross with each other (2). Ginkgo’s are native to East Asia and while they may look like angiosperms, they are actually gymnosperms and are closely related to conifers. Female ginkgo’s produce clusters of bright orange fruits (actually naked seeds), sometimes referred to as silver apricots (3). They are satisfying to stomp on, try it sometime! But be careful because they have a foul aroma.

Fun Fact #1: The Ginkgo is the only surviving member of the family Ginkgoaceae. It is called a “living fossil” and is estimated to be over 150 million years old! Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Fun Fact #2: Washington State has a famous State Park! It is the Ginkgo Petrified Forest Natural Landmark. It is said to be the most diverse fossil forest in North America, discovered in 1932. The forest is full of petrified ginkgo trees. National Park Service

Butternut – Juglans cinerea

Family Juglandaceae

Now, I will be honest, this looks identical to a black walnut (Juglans nigra). If not for my dendrology mentor I would’ve gone on blissfully thinking this tree was a black walnut! But alas, I now know yet another member of the Juglandaceae family – so shall you. This is butternut, a walnut tree in the walnut family. It has alternate arrangement with pinnately compound complexity (1). It typically can grow anywhere from 30-50 feet tall and is known for its stalky stump and branches. This tree appreciates full sun and moist soil, the species pictured below was found in a lowland prairie habitat a few miles from a river. I haven’t forgotten, the moment you have been waiting for me to mention – how the heck do I tell black and butternut walnut apart? One thing I have not talked a lot about is identifying trees by their leaf scars. A leaf scar is the spot on the branch that has been created from the leaf stem falling off. The black walnut leaf scar looks a lot like a little monkey face. Comparatively, the butternut leaf scar is almost identical, but the butternuts monkey face has a fuzzy “eyebrows” (2). Another helpful factor, but one I wouldn’t rely completely on, is the presence of a terminal leaf. This is the leaflet at the very tip of the stem. Black walnuts lack a terminal leaf while butternut have one – however leaflets can fall off, especially as the seasons change, what can I say, trees don’t work in absolutes!

Fun Fact #1: Some people may refer to this tree as “white walnut”, the name butternut is preferred though and it actually has this name for a reason. It comes from the mellow flavor of the nut meat. I’ve heard butternut cookies are great!  Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (JUCI)

Fun Fact #2: Black walnut is known to have valuable lumber, unfortunately butternut lumber is not as high value but is used for lots of interior building such as cabinets and furniture. Love to play an instrument? Butternut was probably used to build your case as well! (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.)

Tulip tree – Liriodendron tulipifera

Family Magnoliaceae

One saying I have always lived by is, save the best for last! Thanks for making it all this way, tulip tree is easily my favorite tree and I am more than happy to share it with you! Once I point this one out to you, you’ll see it everywhere! It is a whimsical tree and is just so pretty! Tulip tree is alternately arranged with simple complexity. Most obvious about this cute tree is the leaf shape, you could probably guess its in the shape of a tulip (1). This tree is a runner up for tallest tree following sycamore at up to 150 feet. This tree grows very straight and has a medium crown. The tulip tree prefers moist, acidic, and rich soils. It is susceptible to heat and drought and will begin to turn yellow and wilt if conditions are too hot. I was surprised to find a tulip tree in the university district of Columbus but I was lucky! The tree pictured was found near a small pond in a semi-forested field. This species belongs to the same family as magnolias, when you think magnolia you might think large showy flowers, tulip tree also shares this characteristic. It grows large conspicuous flowers which resemble tulips as well. They are large yellow/white flowers with inner orange petals that bloom in late spring. While these trees are so cool to look at, with big showy flowers comes a ton of pollen. If you park under a tulip tree you will find your windshield covered in sticky pollen. One thing I have not talked a lot about but is probably my favorite way to identify trees, is by their buds! Tulip tree has one of the best buds to look at! This whole tree is just so adorable. It has green buds that resemble duck bills (2). Every part of this tree has to have a little flourish on it, the sepals, or the leaf protecting the bud is large and twisted – showy in all ways (3).

Fun Fact #1: This tree is a great nesting spot for many species of birds and attracts native pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. It also is a host tree for the beloved Eastern Tiger  Swallowtail.  Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (LITU)

Fun Fact #2: Even my field guide agrees that this tree is just the coolest! It has been named “most handsomest” eastern forest tree. It also has no look-a-like trees, it is distinctive in all ways! (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.)

Guess what? You just made it through the ins and outs of 8 of my favorite trees! Thanks for diving in to this world of trees with me. Hopefully you feel fulfilled and excited to continue conquering that pesky tree blindness. Now you can go on to impress your friends, and hopefully feel more connected to nature. Whatever you decide to do with your newfound knowledge I hope you at least think about our green friends a little bit more, I know they would appreciate it! And remember, if you stop to “smell the roses” or in this case stare at the trees, embrace that – even better, if you see a friend eyeing one too, stop and stare together. Go wild!