eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides); Salicaceae
Leaves are alternately arranged, simple in complexity, and are coarsely-toothed. Also, cottonwood leaves are easily identifiable due to their distinct triangular shape which is noted in the specific epithet deltoides, meaning “triangular”.
I stumbled across this eastern cottonwood in the prairie restoration area of the Whetstone Park of Roses, although they are also found throughout the riparian habitat along the river. I found this tree particularly stunning, as it stands alone amongst the quickly growing grasses and wildflowers that surround it. The leaves of the cottonwood have flat leaf-stalks (which leads to more fluid movement with the wind), so as the river breeze flowed throughout the branches, it was almost as if the tree was waving at me.
According to A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs, there are two to three “small but obvious glands” at the top of flattened leaf-stalks that can help differentiate this specific species within the poplar genus, Populus (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Mifflin, 211-212 pp.).
Although eastern cottonwoods tend to be smaller, these trees can reach nearly 180 feet in height, according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database.
Silver maple (Acer saccharinum); Sapindaceae
Like most maples, the silver maple has leaves that are opposite in arrangement. In terms of leaf complexity, the leaves are simple with deeply lobed margins that are seemingly toothed as well. As the common name states, Silver maple leaves tend to have a stark “silverish” underside, which can help in determining this specific species of maple.
As I followed the semi-shallow creeks that bleed from the Olentangy River at the Whetstone Park of Roses, I met this Silver maple that stood out amongst others of its kind in this riparian habitat. This particular tree was leaning over, almost as if it was seeking its own reflection in the stream below… it made me smile.
According to A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs, a notable feature of the Silver maple is that broken twigs have an “unpleasant odor” (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Mifflin, 97 pp.).
Also, it is interesting to note that you CAN collect the sap from these trees, however, the sap is “only half as sweet as that of sugar maple” and the obtainable yield is far lower, according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database.
common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis); Cannabaceae
The hackberry has leaves that are alternately arranged and that are simple in complexity. Without a doubt, the most obvious identifiable characteristic of the hackberry is its bark, looking almost as if it is diseased with its notably “warty” bark.
This particular common hackberry was located directly off of the Olentangy trail, again, in the same riparian habitat as most of the other trees on this list. While in my opinion, hackberries aren’t particularly mesmerizing, I am always excited about being able to point this tree out solely based on its bark.
According to A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs, the wood of Celtis occidentalis is very similar to the wood of ash trees, especially in terms of “commercial value” (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Mifflin, 209 pp.).
Also, according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database, various birds visit the common hackberry to indulge upon their sweet fruits!
American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis); Platanaceae
The American sycamore has leaves that are alternately arranged and simple in complexity. The leaves can look deceptively similar to certain maple leaves, but once you catch a glimpse of the bark of an American sycamore, there is no mistaking this species. From the base of the tree to the top, you can observe a very obvious “peeling” of bark that reveals a lighter colored inner bark. Although this particular individual was not astoundingly large in height or girth, Platanus occidentalis is one of the largest trees in the eastern United States and it was a pleasure being able to get as close to the leaves of this tree as I was.
While the American sycamore can be found in many types of forest/wooded habitats, this individual was found in the riparian forest along the Olentangy river.
According to A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs, the “cavities” that can typically be found at the base of individuals of this large species are used for “nests or shelter by wood ducks, opossums, and racoons” (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Mifflin, 204 pp.).
To further emphasize the size that these trees can achieve, the American sycamore “grows to a larger trunk diameter than any other native hardwood,” according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database.
northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa); Bignoniaceae
The northern catalpa has a whorled leaf arrangement, with simple leaf complexity. One of the most identifiable characteristics of the northern catalpa is the fruits that it produces, which are generally long string-beanish looking pods that are very easy to differentiate from other bean-pod-esque fruits from trees like the honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) and the redbud (Cercis canadensis).
I was excited to stumble across this individual that resides in the prairie restoration area of the Whetstone Park of Roses, as there are an incredible amount of very, very large northern catalpas in my neighborhood. It was exciting to see a younger and much smaller individual of this species!
According to A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs, the northern catalpa has extremely rapid growth, but are often interrupted by “insect, storm, and frost damage” (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Mifflin, 85 pp.).
Further, the northern catalpa is the “northernmost example of its tropical family,” Bignoniaceae, according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database.
pin oak (Quercus palustris); Fagaceae
The pin oak has leaves that are alternately arranged, simple in complexity, and that have lobed margins with deep sinuses. These particular oaks stand out due not only to the extremely deep sinuses that their leaves have, but also the overall shape of the tree as a whole. Although not very obvious in this individual, you can still notice the lower branches that point downward, which is stereotypical of Quercus palustris.
Just as my friend and I were leaving the lower parking lot of the Whetstone Park of Roses, I quickly pulled off into a nearby parking spot to run over and snag a couple photos of this individual that resides in a very open environment. I spend a lot of time at this park but am not well acquainted with the trees that are not just off of the bike path, so when I noticed the silhouette of this tree, I knew I had to go identify it!
According to A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs, another way to help identify this tree is by observing the “many stubby pinlike branches” that are typically present (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Mifflin, 217 pp.).
Interestingly, the pin oak is relatively easy to transplant due to the “shallow fibrous root system” that lack a tap root, as stated by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database.
black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia); Fabaceae
Black locust leaves are alternately arranged with a pinnately compound complexity. A characteristic of this species that I learned in my Woody Plants of Ohio class, are the modified stipules that are present on the twigs of this tree–they are noticeable thorns at the nodes of branches. I was excited to find this very tall individual, as there is a very similar looking black locust in my front yard at home. Again, this individual resides amongst the riparian forest along the Olentangy river.
According to A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs, the wood of Robinia pseudoacacia is very hard and durable, often being “planted for fence posts” (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Mifflin, 127 pp.).
Also, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database suggests avoiding the black locust (and many other similar species) for “landscape uses,” as it is nearly considered invasive due to how quickly and easily it can spread via “root sprouts” and “the copious seeds it produces.”
white mulberry (Morus alba); Moraceae
The white mulberry has leaves that are simple in complexity and that are alternately arranged. Also, the leaves of this species do not always look the same! These leaves can appear lobed (once, twice, or more), or even entirely unlobed! This can make it challenging to properly identify, but if you are able to notice the contrasting leaf shapes, it can be a great help. This relatively slender individual was also found right along the Olentangy trail at the Whetstone Park of Roses, in the same riparian forest ecosystem as various others on this list.
According to A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs, the white mulberry was introduced by “the British before the Revolution,” in a failed attempt to kickstart a silkworm industry, being that silkworms greatly prefer Morus alba as a main food source (Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Mifflin, 207 pp.).
Finally, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the white mulberry is native to China!