Category: Deciduous

Mountain Maple – Acer spicatum

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Acer spicatum is a deciduous shrub or small tree known for its opposite, palmately lobed leaves and small, greenish-yellow flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are opposite, palmately lobed, and typically have three to five lobes.

Flowers: The plant produces small, greenish-yellow flowers in upright clusters.

Habitat: It is commonly found in woodlands and along stream banks in mountainous regions.

Distribution: Mountain maple is native to North America.

Occurrence
Few specimens planted in back 40 in 2019

Black Ash – Fraxinus nigra

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Fraxinus nigra is a deciduous tree known for its compound leaves and distinctive bark.

Leaves: The leaves are compound, with opposite leaflets that have serrated margins.

Bark: The bark is dark gray to black and has deep furrows.

Habitat: It is commonly found in wetlands, including swamps and stream banks.

Distribution: Black ash is native to eastern North America.

Occurance
Found in existing woods in former pasture and especially in the wet area of the back 40

Hackberry – Celtis occidentalis

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Celtis occidentalis is a deciduous tree known for its serrated leaves and small, berry-like fruits.

Leaves: The leaves are serrated, elliptical to lance-shaped, and alternate along the stem.

Fruits: The plant produces small, round, berry-like fruits that turn dark purple when ripe.

Habitat: It is commonly found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands and open areas.

Distribution: Common hackberry is native to North America.

Occurrence
Many seedlings planted in various places in 2016

Black Walnut – Juglans nigra

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Juglans nigra is a deciduous tree known for its compound leaves and large, edible nuts.

Leaves: The leaves are pinnately compound, with multiple leaflets arranged along a central stem.

Fruits: The plant produces large, round, brown nuts with a hard shell.

Habitat: It is commonly found in woodlands and along stream banks.

Distribution: Black walnut is native to eastern North America.

Occurrence
Many seedlings planted in various places in 2016

Eastern Cottonwood – Populus deltoides

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Populus deltoides is a tall deciduous tree known for its triangular leaves and cottony seeds.

Leaves: The leaves are triangular or deltoid in shape, coarsely toothed, and often have a flattened petiole.

Flowers: The tree produces male and female flowers in separate catkins.

Fruits: The female catkins release cottony seeds that are dispersed by the wind.

Habitat: It is commonly found along riverbanks and in floodplains.

Distribution: Eastern cottonwood is native to North America.

Occurrence
One planted in north west corner along crick in 2018

Balm of Gilead Poplar – Populus balsamifera

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Populus balsamifera (Balsam Poplar or Balm of Gilead) is a deciduous tree belonging to the Salicaceae family. Here are some key identification characteristics:

Size and Shape: Balsam poplar is a medium to large-sized tree that typically reaches heights of 60 to 100 feet (18 to 30 meters). It has a straight, tall trunk and an irregular, open crown.

Leaves: The leaves of Populus balsamifera are large, broad, and ovate with serrated edges. They are dark green on the upper surface and paler beneath. The leaves emit a pleasant, balsam-like fragrance when crushed, giving the tree its name.

Bark: The bark of balsam poplar is smooth and greenish-brown when young, but as the tree ages, it develops into grayish-brown with shallow furrows and raised ridges.

Flowers: The tree produces inconspicuous flowers in the form of catkins. Male catkins are long and drooping, releasing pollen, while female catkins are shorter and erect, containing tiny seeds.

Buds: One of the distinguishing features of balsam poplar is its large, sticky, and resinous buds, which are coated with a gummy substance.

Habitat: Populus balsamifera is native to North America and can be found in various habitats, including wetlands, riverbanks, and floodplains. It has a preference for moist, well-drained soils.

Cultivation: Balsam poplar is valued for its rapid growth and adaptability to various growing conditions. It is often planted for shelterbelts, windbreaks, and erosion control.

Other Species: There are other species of poplar, such as Populus deltoides (Eastern cottonwood) and Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen), each with its unique characteristics.

Balsam poplar is known for its pleasant fragrance, attractive bark, and rapid growth, making it a popular choice for various planting and landscaping purposes. Its resinous buds and the aromatic compounds derived from them have also been used for medicinal and herbal purposes.

Occurrence
Found in several locations near wetter areas. Continually growing and regenerating populations exist naturally.

Quaking Aspen – Populus tremuloides

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Populus tremuloides (Quaking Aspen or Trembling Aspen) is a deciduous tree belonging to the Salicaceae family. Here are some key identification characteristics:

Size and Shape: Quaking aspen is a medium-sized tree that typically reaches heights of 20 to 80 feet (6 to 24 meters). It has a slender, straight trunk and a narrow, conical or pyramidal shape when young, gradually becoming more rounded with age.

Leaves: The leaves of Populus tremuloides are small, round to heart-shaped, and have serrated edges. They are bright green on the upper surface and paler beneath. One of the distinctive features of this tree is the fluttering or “quaking” of its leaves in the slightest breeze due to their flattened petioles.

Bark: The bark of quaking aspen is smooth and grayish-white when young, but as the tree matures, it develops black furrows and white patches, giving it a unique appearance.

Flowers: The tree produces inconspicuous flowers in the form of catkins. Male catkins are long and drooping, releasing pollen, while female catkins are smaller and erect, containing tiny seeds.

Fall Color: During the autumn season, the leaves of quaking aspen turn vibrant shades of yellow, making it a striking sight in the fall landscape.

Habitat: Populus tremuloides is native to North America and can be found in a variety of habitats, including moist lowland areas, upland forests, and mountain slopes. It often forms extensive stands known as “aspen groves” through its ability to reproduce vegetatively through root suckers.

Cultivation: Quaking aspen is appreciated for its ornamental value, especially in naturalistic landscapes. It is also important for its ecological role, providing habitat for various wildlife species.

Other Species: There are other species of aspen, such as Populus grandidentata (bigtooth aspen) and Populus balsamifera (balsam poplar), each with its unique characteristics.

Quaking aspen is a remarkable tree with its distinctive fluttering leaves, attractive bark, and vibrant fall colors. Its ecological significance, coupled with its beauty, makes it a valued tree in many regions.

Occurance
Widespread throughout the wooded areas. Spreading into new areas, but also being eaten back by beavers.

Chinese Catalpa – Catalpa ovata

Native To State: NO
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Catalpa ovata is a deciduous tree belonging to the Bignoniaceae family. It is commonly known as Chinese catalpa or Chinese cigar tree. Here are some key identification characteristics:

Size and Shape: Chinese catalpa is a medium-sized tree that typically reaches heights of 30 to 60 feet (9 to 18 meters). It has an upright, rounded crown with a slightly irregular shape.

Leaves: The leaves of Catalpa ovata are large, heart-shaped, and arranged in an opposite pattern on the branches. They have a glossy green surface and are between 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) in length.

Flowers: The tree produces showy, trumpet-shaped flowers that are white with purple or yellow markings. The flowers are arranged in clusters and have a sweet fragrance. They bloom in late spring or early summer.

Fruit: Chinese catalpa develops long, slender, cylindrical seed pods that resemble cigars, giving it the nickname “cigar tree.” The pods can be up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) long and contain numerous small seeds.

Bark: The bark of young Chinese catalpa trees is relatively smooth and grayish-brown, becoming more ridged and furrowed as the tree matures.

Habitat: Catalpa ovata is native to China and can be found in various regions of Asia. It is often grown as an ornamental tree in parks, gardens, and along streets in other parts of the world.

Cultivation: Chinese catalpa is valued for its unique and attractive appearance, including its large leaves, showy flowers, and cigar-like seed pods. It is cultivated in various countries for its ornamental value.

Other Species: There are other catalpa species, such as Catalpa bignonioides (Southern catalpa) and Catalpa speciosa (Northern catalpa), which are also popular ornamental trees.

Chinese catalpa is appreciated for its ornamental features, making it a sought-after choice for landscaping and urban planting. Its large leaves and eye-catching flowers and seed pods add a distinctive touch to outdoor spaces.

Occurrence
Planted along field trail in 2024. One specimen planted near barn yard in approximately 2009

Skyline Honeylocust – Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis

Native To State: NO
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis (Thornless Honeylocust) is a deciduous tree belonging to the Fabaceae family. Here are some key identification characteristics:

Size and Shape: Thornless honeylocust is a medium to large-sized tree, typically reaching heights of 40 to 70 feet (12 to 21 meters). It has an open, spreading canopy with delicate, feathery foliage.

Leaves: The leaves of Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis are pinnately compound and alternate along the branches. Each leaflet is small and elongated, giving the foliage a fern-like appearance. The leaves are bright green during the growing season and turn golden-yellow in the fall.

Thorns: Unlike the typical species (Gleditsia triacanthos), this variety is “inermis,” which means it is thornless. As such, you won’t find the long, sharp thorns that are characteristic of the species.

Bark: The bark of young thornless honeylocust trees is relatively smooth and grayish-brown, gradually becoming rougher with age and developing ridges and furrows.

Flowers: The tree produces small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers in the spring. The flowers are typically not showy but are important for pollination.

Fruit: Thornless honeylocust bears long, flat, and twisted seed pods (legumes) that are 6 to 18 inches (15 to 45 centimeters) in length. The pods mature in late summer to early fall and turn brown. They persist on the tree throughout the winter.

Habitat: This variety is often planted as an ornamental tree in urban and residential areas due to its attractive appearance and thornless nature. It can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and is relatively drought-tolerant once established.

Cultivation: Thornless honeylocust is widely planted for its aesthetic value, providing filtered shade in landscapes and streetscapes.

Other Species: It’s essential to differentiate this thornless variety (f. inermis) from the typical species (Gleditsia triacanthos) that does have thorns.

Thornless honeylocust is favored for urban landscapes and other settings where thorns might pose a concern. Its delicate foliage and absence of thorns make it an appealing choice for those seeking a low-maintenance and visually pleasing tree.

Occurrence
One large specimen planted near barn in 2008.

Butternut – Juglans cinerea

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description
Smaller than black walnut, seldom more than 30′ to 50′ with a diameter of up to 24″, although in the forest it can attain a height of 80′ with a diameter of 36″; trunk usually divided and forked or crooked; top develops into open, broad crown; may be distinguished from black walnut by velvet collars just above scars left by last year’s leaves.

Occurance
One specimen planted in farm yard in late 1980’s. Several seedlings scheduled to be planted out in 2019.