Part 1

COMMON TREES _of_ PENNSYLVANIA

PREPARED BY J. E. Ibberson, A. B. Mickalitis, J. E. Aughanbaugh and C. L. Morris

ILLUSTRATIONS BY J. M. Francis

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA · · DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

MEDULLARY RAYS CONDUCT FOOD AND WATER RADIALLY, SERVE IN FOOD STORAGE PITH ANNUAL RINGS INDICATE GROWTH, NORMALLY ONE RING PER YEAR LEAVES THE AIR SUPPLIES CARBON, THE PRINCIPAL FOOD OF THE TREE, WHICH IS TAKEN IN ON THE UNDER SURFACE OF THE LEAVES. HEARTWOOD (INACTIVE CELLS) ADDS STRUCTURAL SUPPORT SAPWOOD CARRIES FOOD AND WATER UPWARD CAMBIUM GROWING LAYER, CELLS DIVIDE HERE TO FORM BOTH BARK AND WOOD. INNER BARK CARRIES FOOD MADE IN THE LEAVES DOWNWARD TO CAMBIUM AND STORAGE CELLS. OUTER BARK INACTIVE CELLS FORM PROTECTION FOR INNER BARK SOIL BACTERIA AND FUNGI MAKE AVAILABLE SOIL NUTRIENTS ROOTS ABSORB FOOD ELEMENTS THROUGH THE TINY ROOT HAIRS, ALSO PROVIDE ANCHORAGE

FOREWORD

The purpose of this booklet is to make the reader’s life more enjoyable by being able to identify, through leaf, twig and bark characteristics, the important trees of Pennsylvania at various seasons of the year.

Today, more than ever before, trees play an increasingly important part in our lives.

Trees produce wood, one of the essentials of our everyday life. The uses for wood are rapidly increasing.

Trees provide shade and solace for man; they help to beautify the places where we live; help purify the air we breathe and the water we drink; enrich the soil and retard the earth from sliding into our streams, and provide food and shelter for wildlife.

In a few words: Trees live to give.

We sincerely hope the brief study of tree features described in this publication will help you to develop a closer feeling for our mutual friends of the plant kingdom—the trees of our land.

Many a tree is found in the wood, And every tree for its use is good; Some for the strength of the gnarled root, Some for the sweetness of flower or fruit; Some for shelter against the storm, And some to keep the hearthstone warm, Some for the roof and some for the beam, And some for a boat to breast the storm; In the wealth of the wood since the world began The trees have offered their gifts to man. —HENRY VAN DYKE

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Department of Environmental Resources Harrisburg, 1971

INTRODUCTION

Pennsylvania, with its unique geographical position, has 102 kinds of trees native to the State, although there are numerous introduced species growing and thriving in this latitude and climate. In addition, at least 21 large native shrubs sometimes grow to tree size and form.

Less than half of these native trees are presently classified as important timber species. But research in wood uses is rapidly progressing and some of the so-called “weed trees” may assume considerable importance in the future.

The selection of 50 native trees and 4 introduced species described in this booklet was based chiefly on numerical occurrence and value for timber, shade or ornamental purposes.

The first two plates (pages iv and v) show the types and arrangements of leaves. Outstanding features of individual trees are described in simplified wording and illustrated by accompanying sketches.

Interesting is the fact that pine cones and acorns of the “red or black” oaks ripen in two seasons while fruit from all other trees discussed herein mature in one season.

It is commonly known that no two persons are exactly alike in physical makeup. This is also true of trees since there is some variation in the features within each species.

EXPLANATION OF WORDS, TERMS AND SIGNS WHICH MAY BE UNFAMILIAR TO READERS

Common and scientific names are from “Standardized Plant Names, 1942.”

_Capsule._ A dry fruit which contains more than one seed and splits open when ripe. _Catkin._ A compound bloom consisting of scaly bracts and flowers usually of one sex. _Downy._ With very short and weak soft hairs. _Drupe._ A fleshy one-seeded fruit, with the seed enclosed by a hard covering. _Evergreen_ (leaves). Remaining green throughout the year (older leaves die after 2-15 years). _Fissure._ _Furrow._ A groove or crack. _Leaflet._ A leaflike part or blade of a compound leaf. _Leaf Scar._ A mark or impression at the point where a leaf had been attached. _Lenticel._ A pore on young trunks and branches through which air passes to interior cells. _Lobe_ (of a leaf). A division or projecting part. _Pith._ The spongy material in the center of twigs and young trunks. _Stalked._ Having a stem. _Witches’-broom._ Abnormal bushy growth of small branches. _Whorl._ Three or more leaves or other parts encircling a stem at about the same point.

_Small-sized tree._ Usually not over 40′ in height when mature. _Medium-sized tree._ Usually not over 60′ in height when mature. _Large-sized tree._ Usually over 60′ in height when mature.

″ Inch or inches. ′ Foot or feet.

_NON-EVERGREEN_ SIMPLE ALL SPECIES INCLUDED IN TEXT, AND NOT LISTED ON THIS PLATE, HAVE SIMPLE LEAVES COMPOUND ASH, BLACK ASH, WHITE BUTTERNUT HICKORY, BITTERNUT HICKORY, MOCKERNUT HICKORY, PIGNUT HICKORY, SHAGBARK HICKORY, SHELLBARK HONEYLOCUST, COMMON LOCUST, BLACK WALNUT, EASTERN BLACK PALMATELY COMPOUND HORSECHESTNUT, COMMON _EVERGREEN_ HEMLOCK, EASTERN LARCH, EASTERN (_Non-evergreen, single needles arranged in spirals.—See text._) SPRUCE, NORWAY SPRUCE, RED REDCEDAR, EASTERN PINE, RED PINE, VIRGINIA PINE, PITCH PINE, EASTERN WHITE

OPPOSITE ASH, BLACK ASH, WHITE DOGWOOD, FLOWERING HORSECHESTNUT, COMMON MAPLE, NORWAY MAPLE, RED MAPLE, SILVER MAPLE, SUGAR ALTERNATE ASPEN, BIGTOOTH ASPEN, QUAKING BEECH, AMERICAN BIRCH, GRAY BIRCH, PAPER BIRCH, RIVER BIRCH, SWEET BIRCH, YELLOW BLACKGUM BUTTERNUT CHERRY, BLACK ELM, AMERICAN ELM, SLIPPERY HACKBERRY, COMMON HICKORY, BITTERNUT HICKORY, MOCKERNUT HICKORY, PIGNUT HICKORY, SHAGBARK HICKORY, SHELLBARK HONEYLOCUST, COMMON LINDEN, AMERICAN LOCUST, BLACK MAGNOLIA, CUCUMBERTREE OAK, BLACK OAK, CHESTNUT OAK, EASTERN RED OAK, PIN OAK, SCARLET OAK, WHITE PAWPAW, COMMON PERSIMMON, COMMON PLANETREE, AMERICAN SASSAFRAS, COMMON TULIPTREE WALNUT, BLACK WILLOW, BLACK WHORLED CATALPA, NORTHERN

Leaves: _Evergreen needles_ occur singly, spirally arranged on twigs but appear 2-ranked; flattened, about ½″ long; dark green, glossy and often grooved above: light green with 2 white lines below.

Twigs: Slender, rough, yellowish brown to grayish brown. _Buds_ egg-shaped, ¹/₁₆″ long, reddish brown.

Fruit: A _cone_, ¾″ long, egg-shaped; hangs singly from the tips of the twigs; usually remains attached all winter after ripening in the fall. Under each rounded scale are 2 small winged seeds.

General: _Bark_ on young trees flaky, thick and roughly grooved when old, grayish brown to reddish brown; used in tanning; inner bark cinnamon-red. A _large_ tree, long-lived; shade-enduring. _Wood_ is important for construction lumber.

_The_ Eastern Hemlock _is the official State Tree of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania_.

Leaves: _Evergreen needles_ in clusters of 5, soft, flexible, 3-sided, 2½″-5″ long, bluish green in appearance due to whitish lines. This is the only 5-needle pine native to Pennsylvania.

Twigs: Slender, flexible, with rusty hairs when young, finally smooth. _Buds_ egg-shaped, usually less than ½″ long; gray-brown.

Fruit: A _cone_, 5″-8″ long, about 1″ thick, no prickles, stalked, drooping, slightly curved, resinous, remains attached for one to several months after ripening in autumn of second season. Each scale usually bears 2 winged seeds which is characteristic of all native pines.

General: _Bark_ on young trees and branches greenish brown and smooth, later darker, grooved and scaly. Produces one whorl of about 3 to 7 side branches each year, a feature which is useful in estimating age. A _large_ and _very important_ timber tree. _Wood_ probably has more uses than that of any other species.

Leaves: _Evergreen needles_ in clusters of 3, stiff, 2½″-5″ long, yellowish green.

Twigs: Stout, brittle, rough, angled in cross-section, golden-brown. _Buds_ egg-shaped, about ½″ long, resinous, red-brown.

Fruit: A _cone_, 1½″-3½″ long with short stiff prickles, nearly stalkless, often remains attached for 5 years or more after ripening.

General: Thick, rough, grayish brown _bark_ on older trees. A _medium-sized_ tree. Common on poor, sandy soils and areas where forest fires have killed most other trees. _Wood_ used chiefly for railroad ties, mine props, construction lumber, posts and fuel.

Leaves: _Evergreen needles_ in clusters of 2, twisted, stout, relatively short (1½″-3″ long), not numerous on twigs.

Twigs: Slender, curved, flexible, brown to purple with bluish white coating. _Buds_ egg-shaped, usually less than ½″ long, brown, resinous.

Fruit: A _cone_, 2″-3″ long, prickles small but sharp, edge of scales with darker bands; usually without a stalk; remains attached for 3 or 4 years.

General: Smooth, thin, reddish brown, scaly _bark_. A _small_ tree; able to grow on poor, dry soils. Common on abandoned farm lands where shale soils predominate. Usually grows in dense pure stands. Often called _scrub pine_. _Wood_ used chiefly for paper pulp, fuel and mine props.

Leaves: _Evergreen needles_ in clusters of 2, slender, 4″-6″ long, dark green, borne in dense tufts at the ends of branchlets; snap easily when bent double.

Twigs: Stout, ridged, yellow-brown to red-brown. _Buds_ egg-shaped, about ½″ long, brown at first and later silvery.

Fruit: A _cone_, about 2″ long, without prickles, nearly stalkless, remains attached until the following year.

General: Comparatively smooth, reddish brown _bark_. Like white pine, it develops one horizontal whorl of side branches each year. A medium to _large_-sized tree. _Valuable_ timber tree in the northern part of the State; _wood_ used chiefly for construction lumber.

Leaves: _Evergreen needles_ occur singly, spirally arranged on twigs, sharp-pointed, four-sided, usually ¾″ long, dark green.

Twigs: Bright, golden-brown. _Buds_ egg-shaped, darker than twigs.

Fruit: A cylindrical _cone_, 4″-7″ long, light brown; scales with finely toothed margin, broader than long.

General: _Bark_ relatively thin, reddish brown, scaly, becoming gray-brown but seldom furrowed on old trees. Branchlets on older trees droop. A _large_ tree with a dense, conical crown. A European species that has become a valuable naturalized member of our forests, and extensively planted as an ornamental. _Wood_ used chiefly for paper pulp, boxes, crates and lumber.

Leaves: _Evergreen needles_ occur singly, spirally arranged on twigs, stiff, four-sided, usually ½″ long, dark green; less sharp than Norway spruce.

Twigs: Orange-brown with very fine hairs. _Buds_ egg-shaped, about ⅓″ long, red-brown.

Fruit: A _cone_, 2″ or less in length, reddish brown, remains attached for one to several months after ripening in the fall.

General: _Bark_ red-brown, rough, scaly. A _medium_ to _large_-sized tree. _Wood_ used chiefly for paper pulp, boxes, crates and lumber. Frequents swamps; chiefly in northeastern parts of the State. Black spruce (P. mariana) is a similar but smaller native tree.

Leaves: _Needles_ not evergreen; occur singly near the ends of the twigs, elsewhere in clusters of 10 or more; about 1″ long, pale green, turning yellow and falling from the tree during the autumn.

Twigs: At first covered with a bluish white coating, becoming dull brown and with numerous short spurs. _Buds_ round, small, ¹/₁₆″ long, dark red.

Fruit: A _cone_, about ¾″ long, egg-shaped, upright, often remains attached for several years after ripening in the fall.

General: _Bark_ smooth at first, later becoming scaly, dark brown. A _medium_-sized tree. Only cone-bearing tree native to Pennsylvania that loses its needles annually. Found locally in moist situations. _Wood_ used chiefly for paper pulp, lumber, posts and railroad ties. European larch (L. decidua) and Japanese larch (L. leptolepis) are more commonly planted in the State. _Eastern larch is also known as tamarack._

Leaves: _Evergreen_, opposite, two types (often on the same tree): the older more common kinds are scale-like and only ¹/₁₆″-³/₃₂″ long, while the young sharp-pointed ones may be up to ¾″ in length; whitish lines on the upper surface.

Twigs: Slender, usually 4-sided, becoming reddish brown. _Buds_ small and not readily noticeable.

Fruit: Bluish _berry-like_, covered with a whitish powder, about ¼″ in diameter; flesh sweet and resinous: contains 1-2 seeds. Ripens the first year.

General: _Bark_ reddish brown, peeling off in stringy and flaky strips. Usually has a conical crown. Prefers limestone and shale soils. A _small_ to _medium_-sized tree. _Wood_ used chiefly for fence posts and “cedar chests.” Slow of growth; long-lived.

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 6″-9″ long, 5-9 _rounded lobes_, not bristle-tipped, smooth above and below. Violet-purple in autumn.

Twigs: Red-gray, often with a grayish coating. _Buds_ rounded, reddish brown, smooth, small; end bud about ⅛″ long, often with gray margins on the scales.

Fruit: A sweet acorn, ¾″-1″ long; _cup_ bowl-like, enclosing ¼ of the nut; _cup scales_ warty.

General: _Bark_ gray, usually with shallow fissures and flat scaly ridges but occasionally roughly ridged without scales. A _large_ and valuable tree. _Wood_ uses similar to those of red oak; in addition, used extensively for liquid containers, including whiskey barrels.

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 4″-8″ long, thick; _large rounded teeth_, decreasing in size toward the leaf tips; dark green and smooth above, paler and occasionally downy beneath.

Twigs: Orange-brown to red-brown. _Buds_ light brown, edges of scales lighter colored, sharp-pointed, ¼″-½″ long.

Fruit: An _acorn_, 1″-1½″ long. _Cup_ thin, enclosing ⅓ of the shiny nut; _cup scales_ knobby. Kernel moderately sweet.

General: _Bark_ at first gray and smooth, later brownish gray to dark gray, thick, tough, deep-fissured; rich in tannin. A _medium_-sized tree, found mainly on poorer soils of hillsides and rocky ridges. _Wood_ of better-formed trees has same uses as the other oaks. Also known as _rock oak_.

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 5″-8″ long, 7-11 lobes, bristle-tipped; smooth above and below, but occasionally with small tufts of reddish brown hair beneath.

Twigs: Greenish brown to reddish brown. _Buds_ pointed, light brown, smooth.

Fruit: An _acorn_, ¾″-1¼″ long; _cup_ usually saucer-shaped, about an inch in diameter, covers only ¼ of the nut; _cup scales_ reddish brown, narrow, tight, sometimes fuzzy on the edges. Kernel bitter as is true of the next 3 species of oaks.

General: _Bark_ brown and gray, with smooth flat-topped ridges separated by shallow fissures when older. A _large_ and rapid-growing tree. Often planted for shade. _Wood_ has many uses; principally utilized for flooring, railroad ties and construction lumber.

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 4″-7″ long, 7-9 rather narrow, bristle-tipped lobes; smooth except for small tufts of hair beneath. Very deep spaces between lobes. Generally turn scarlet in autumn.

Twigs: Reddish brown, smooth when mature. _Buds_ blunt-pointed, usually round in cross section, dark reddish brown; _upper half wooly_.

Fruit: An _acorn_, ½″-1″ long, kernel white; _cup_ thin, bowl-like, covering about ½ of the nut; _cup scales_ sharp-pointed, smooth, tight.

General: _Bark_ on young trees, smooth, light brown; on older trunks ridged, darker. _Inner bark reddish._ Drooping dead lower branches persist for many years. A _medium_ to _large_-sized tree, commonly found on dry soils. _Wood_ inferior to red oak, but often sold under that name.

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 5″-9″ long, 5-7 lobes, bristle-tipped; dark green and usually shiny above; paler, _more or less covered with rusty-brown fuzz beneath_. Yellowish brown in autumn. Often confused with those of scarlet oak.

Twigs: Reddish brown, usually fuzzy. _Buds_ blunt-pointed, ridged, yellow-gray, wooly.

Fruit: An _acorn_, about ¾″ long, kernel yellow; _cup_ bowl-like, covering from ⅓ to ½ or more of the nut; _cup scales_ sharp-pointed, form a loose fringe at the rim, covered with whitish wooly hairs.

General: _Bark_ on young stems smooth, dark brown; on older trunks dull black, furrowed, forming irregular blocks. _Inner bark orange-yellow._ A _medium_ to _large_-sized tree. _Wood_ has the same uses as that of red oak.

Leaves: Similar to those of scarlet oak but generally smaller, fewer-lobed, with more narrow and deeper spaces between lobes. Smooth on both surfaces.

Twigs: Dark red-brown, shiny, slender, _often thorn-like_. _Buds_ rounded, smooth, smaller than those of scarlet oak.

Fruit: An _acorn_, about ½″ long, often striped with dark lines; _cup_ thin, saucer-shaped, encloses about ⅓ of nut; _cup scales_ tight, dark-margined.

General: _Bark_ grayish brown, rather smooth for many years; old trunks with shallow fissures and narrow flat ridges. _Medium_-sized and highly valued street tree. Frequents wet woodland sites. Has the smallest leaves, buds and acorns of _all_ native _oaks_. Drooping dead lower branches persist for many years. _Wood_ has same uses as red oak but is less desirable because of numerous branch knots.

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 3″-4″ long, sharp-toothed, leathery; light green and glossy above, yellow-green with silky hairs below; veins prominent, parallel. Some leaves often cling to the branches all winter.

Twigs: Slender, brownish gray. _Buds_ reddish brown, sharp-pointed, _cigar-shaped_; end bud ¾″-1″ long.

Fruit: A shiny brown _triangled_ nut, ½″-¾″ long, usually two enclosed in a stalked prickly bur which splits into 4 parts when ripe; edible.

General: _Bark_ smooth, never furrowed, bluish gray throughout life, with dark blotches when older. A _large_ tree. Most numerous in the northern part of the State. _Wood_ used mainly for railroad ties, paper pulp, boxes, furniture and flooring.

Leaves: Simple, opposite, 5-lobed, about 4″ in diameter; smooth, bright green, paler below; margin with few large teeth.

Twigs: Reddish brown to light brown. _Buds_ brown, _sharp_-pointed; narrowly cone-shaped.

Fruit: Consists of 2 winged seeds on a stalk; borne in clusters, brown, seed wings ½″ to 1″ long, almost parallel to each other; matures in autumn. Fruit stalks and sometimes the seeds persist into the winter.

General: _Bark_ grayish, on older trunks ridged or with long, thick, curled plates. A _large_, long-lived, desirable timber and shade tree. _Wood_ used for furniture, flooring; “tapped for sap for making maple syrup.” Often called _hard maple_.

Leaves: Simple, opposite, generally 3-lobed; about 4″ in diameter; margin with many small teeth.

Twigs: Shiny, green when young, becoming red, with numerous light spots (lenticels). _Leaf buds_ dark red, blunt-pointed; _flower buds_ round, clustered.

Fruit: Paired winged seeds suspended on a slim stem; reddish brown; wing 1″ or less in length; matures in late spring.

General: _Bark_ on young trees gray and smooth, on older trees becoming darker and with long scaly ridges. A _medium_-sized tree. Common on both swampy and dry sites. A showy tree, usually with reddish flowers and reddish fruit in the spring, and crimson leaves in autumn. _Wood_ has uses similar to those of sugar maple except where strength and hardness are of importance. Often called _soft maple_.

Leaves: Simple, opposite, 5-lobed, very deep spaces between lobes, teeth coarse; about 5″ in diameter, _silvery_ below.

Twigs: Green in early spring, turning orange-brown, with many light colored dots (lenticels). Distinctive odor when broken. _Buds_ of two distinct types: the small pointed leaf buds toward end of twig, and rounded, clustered flower buds below. Lower branches with up-turned tips.

Fruit: Largest of the native maples; wings may be 2″ long, curving inwards; matures in spring.

General: _Bark_ on young trees smooth and gray; on older trees broken into long, narrow loose strips. A _medium_-sized tree usually found along streams. Sometimes planted as a shade tree. _Wood_ has uses similar to those of red maple. This species is classed as a soft maple.

Leaves: Simple, opposite, generally 7-lobed, 4½″-5″ in diameter. _Milky sap_ is evident after breaking the _leaf stem_. Leaves are heavier and thicker than those of sugar maple.

Twigs: Stout, reddish brown. _Buds_ red and green, blunt; end bud much larger than side ones; _bud scales_ with keel-like ridges.

Fruit: Wings wide-spreading, larger than those of sugar maple. Matures in autumn.

General: _Bark_ on young tree light brown, smooth; on older trees it becomes closely fissured but not scaly, dark in color. A tree of _medium_-size. _Imported_ from Europe and planted extensively as a street tree. The leaves are often attacked by an aphid insect which produces quantities of a sticky substance, spotting vehicles and sidewalks. This species is classed as a soft maple.