Category: Trees

Yellow Birch – Betula alleghaniensis

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Betula alleghaniensis is a deciduous tree known for its peeling, golden-brown bark and triangular leaves.

Leaves: The leaves are simple, serrated, and triangular in shape.

Bark: The bark is golden-brown and peels into thin, curly strips.

Fruit: It produces small, winged nutlets.

Habitat: It is commonly found in moist woodlands and along streams.

Distribution: Yellow birch is native to North America.

Occurance
Two specimens were planted in large pasture marsh in 2016

River Birch – Betula nigra

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Betula nigra is a deciduous tree known for its distinctive, exfoliating bark and serrated leaves.

Leaves: The leaves are simple, serrated, and diamond-shaped.

Bark: The bark is reddish-brown to gray and peels in papery curls.

Fruit: It produces small, winged nutlets.

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

Distribution: River birch is native to eastern North America.

Occurance
Scattered specimens planted in 2016

Paper Birch – Betula papyrifera

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Betula papyrifera is a deciduous tree known for its white bark and triangular leaves.

Leaves: The leaves are simple, serrated, and triangular.

Bark: The bark is chalky white, peeling in paper-like sheets.

Fruit: It produces small, winged nutlets.

Habitat: It is commonly found in various habitats, including woodlands.

Distribution: Paper birch is native to North America.

Occurance
Large trees are found throughout the former pasture. Many dense stands have come up since the mid 90’s when cattle were removed.

Ginnala Maple – Acer ginnala

Native To State: NO
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Acer ginnala is a deciduous shrub or small tree known for its small, deeply lobed leaves and red winged seeds.

Leaves: The leaves are palmately lobed with serrated edges.

Bark: The bark is grayish-brown and develops furrows as it matures.

Fruit: It produces winged seeds that turn red in the fall.

Habitat: It is commonly found in various habitats, including urban areas.

Distribution: Amur maple is native to East Asia but is cultivated in North America.

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Occurance
Predominantly found along the main pine grove where seedlings were planted in 1987.

Boxelder – Acer negundo

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Acer negundo is a deciduous tree known for its compound leaves and samara seeds.

Leaves: The leaves are pinnately compound with three to seven leaflets.

Bark: The bark is grayish-brown and develops furrows.

Fruit: It produces paired samara seeds.

Habitat: It is commonly found in various habitats, including riverbanks.

Distribution: Boxelder is native to North America.

Occurance
Widespread in all locations – coming up from seed in many formerly grass-dominated areas and as an understory plant.

Sugar Maple – Acer saccharum

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Acer saccharum is a deciduous tree known for its lobed leaves and sweet sap, used to make maple syrup.

Leaves: The leaves are palmately lobed with smooth edges.

Bark: The bark is grayish-brown and develops deep furrows with age.

Fruit: It produces paired winged seeds.

Habitat: It is commonly found in woodlands and deciduous forests.

Distribution: Sugar maple is native to North America.

Occurance
Specimens first planted in 2013 as seedlings in select areas scattered in the former pasture as well as along the winding path.

Silver Maple – Acer saccharinum

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Acer saccharinum is a deciduous tree known for its deeply lobed leaves and silvery undersides.

Leaves: The leaves are palmately lobed with serrated edges and silver undersides.

Bark: The bark is grayish-brown and develops furrows.

Fruit: It produces paired winged seeds.

Habitat: It is commonly found near water bodies, such as rivers and streams.

Distribution: Silver maple is native to North America.

Occurance
One specimen planted in yard with 1′ plus diameter trunk. Seedlings planted in 2022.

Red Maple – Acer rubrum

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Acer rubrum is a deciduous tree known for its red twigs and red leaves in the fall.

Leaves: The leaves are palmately lobed with serrated edges.

Bark: The bark is grayish-brown and develops furrows.

Fruit: It produces paired winged seeds.

Habitat: It is commonly found in various habitats, including wetlands.

Distribution: Red maple is native to North America.

Occurance
Scattered throughout the woods. Large mature trees and many seedlings.

Swamp White Oak – Quercus bicolor

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Quercus bicolor is a deciduous tree known for its lobed leaves and acorns.

Leaves: The leaves are deeply lobed with smooth edges.

Bark: The bark is light gray and develops scaly plates.

Fruit: It produces acorns.

Habitat: It is commonly found in wetlands and along streams.

Distribution: Swamp white oak is native to North America.

Occurance
Specimens first planted in 2013 as seedlings in select areas scattered in the former pasture as well as along the winding path.

Northern Pin Oak – Quercus ellipsoidalis

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Quercus ellipsoidalis is a deciduous tree known for its sharply lobed leaves and acorns.

Leaves: The leaves are deeply lobed with bristle-tipped teeth.

Bark: The bark is dark gray and develops distinctive pin-like ridges.

Fruit: It produces acorns.

Habitat: It is commonly found in woodlands and sandy soils.

Distribution: Northern pin oak is native to North America.

Occurance
Most of the “red” oaks at the arboretum are Q. ellipsidalis and large specimens are found throughout the woods with trunks of 3 feet diameter or more. Though in the last few  years, several of the larger examples have come down in wind storms. This tree is actively regenerating and many smaller seedlings are coming up.