Forest Trees (Exam 2) Northeastern Hardwoods

Salicaceae

The Willow family, this consists of 57 genera, it previously only had 3 genera; Salix, Populus, Chosenia. It is nearly worldwide, mostly north temperate and Arctic regions. Some species are hard to distinguish, short lived and require abundant moisture.

Populus

Poplars, cottonwoods, and aspens, there are 25-35 species in 6 sections. ~8 are native to the U.S. with many hybrids and subspecies. These are rapidly growing, deciduous trees. They are grown as a biomass, biofuel crop. The fruit is composed of small capsules, each contain many minute seeds with long white cottony hairs.

Populus tremuloides Michx. - Trembling (quaking) aspen

Most widely distributed tree species in NA, covering 110° longitude and 47° latitude. Names refer to the leaves which tremble on their flattened leafstalks. The bark is smooth, sometimes scarred by bears and humans. Can reproduce from root sprouts, usually following disturbances like fires. Largest living organism (new shoots from root sprouts) but individuals are short lived. Intolerant to shade, these are used for many furnitures pieces as they have no splinters. Frequently grows along streams, a favorite of beavers.

Betulaceae

The birch family, there are 6 genera of ~130 deciduous nut-bearing trees and shrubs worlwide, usually in cool regions of the Northern hemisphere The Bark is mostly smooth, in birch the peeling in papery layers is normal for the bark. Economically important for wood or nuts.

Betula - birches

Small to medium sized trees and shrubs, the fruit is a small samara, but the wings not always obvious. It has characteristic bark with horizontal lenticels, peopling and papery. Frequently even-aged stands on well drained sites. The Fine-grained pale wood is suitable for plywood, cabinets or paper.

Betula alleghaniensis Britton - yellow birch

One of the most valuable birches and one of the largest hardwoods in northeastern NA. It has a distinct bark with yellow-bronze exfoliation bark. Cool, moist uplands including mountain ravines Temperature sensitive (roots don’t like heat) Considered one of the most valuable timber trees in New England. Used for veneer, flooring, cabinets, fine furniture, and other high-value products due to its good machining and finishing properties, hardness, and attractive color. Important browse species for deer and moose.

Betula papyrifera Marsh. - paper birch

One of the most beautiful native trees with a narrow, open crown Widely distributed species Short-lived species matures in 60 to 75 years. Few live longer than 140 years Intolerant to shade but cold tolerant with peeling white bark. Once used for birch bark canoes they are Valued ornamental trees and are Browse and cover for moose and deer.

Fagaceae

The beech family, there are 900 species worldwide, often large trees with some shrubs. Not found in the far north of NA, there are 65 trees and 10 shrubs in NA, more in Mexico.

Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. - American beech

Only species of this genus found in NA. There are 3 races, gray, white, and red. One of the most common trees in NE US they can reach 300-400 years old. Smooth blue-gray bark – stays smooth in age. Beechnuts – consumed in quantities by wildlife, especially squirrels, raccoons, bears, game birds. Highly vulnerable to fire (thin bark and large surface roots).

Quercus

The most important and widespread hardwood trees in the north temperate zone In the US, they provide more timber than any group of broadleaf trees but less than conifers. Approx. 500 species of trees and shrubs - ~90 species in the US with many more in Mexico (~160). Leaves - Deciduous or evergreen -various – lobed, toothed, entire, thin, leathery. Fruit – acorn, There are two subgenera (Quercus and Cyclobalanopsis (only Asia) and 5 sections within the subgenus QuercusI.)

Section Lobatae

Red or black oaks

-Leaves with apex and lobes bristle-tipped

-Acorns maturing the second year

-Bark usually blackish and furrowed

-Heartwood porous with vessels open

Section Quercus

White oaks

-apex and lobes not bristle-tipped

-acorns maturing first year

-bark usually light gray and scaly

-heartwood less porous with

vessels closed by tyloses (good for

barrels)

Section Protobalanus

5 species, (only in SW North America and Mexico)

Section Ponticae

One is native to mountainous areas of Turkey and Georgia. One is native to northern California and Southern Oregon.

Section Virentes

Seven species, native to south-eastern Northern America, Mexico,

-evergreen or brevideciduous.

- The acorns mature in a year.

Quercus alba - white oak

Range – entire eastern 1/3 of US. The classic eastern oak with wide spreading branches and a rounded crown. 80 - 100’ tall, 3-4+’ diameter. Best growth on deep moist soils. High-grade wood useful for all purposes - flooring furniture, etc. Furnishes 3/4 of timber harvested under its name. Wood is outstanding in making tight barrels In colonial times, the wood was important in shipbuilding. >180 species of mammals and birds use oak acorns as food. Deer browse. Several insects attack white oak but are not usually important.

Quercus rubra L. - Northern red oak

Most of the eastern 1/3 of US, it is widespread in the E. deciduous forest. Large tree with a rounded crown - 60-90’, 1-2.5” diameter. Valued as an ornamental –fall color, form, ease of transplant, rapid growth. The most important lumber species of of its name - flooring, furniture, etc. It cannot hold water - no tyloses. Oak wilt, a vascular disease caused by a fungus is destructive. Oak wilt can travel by root grafts.

Sapindaceae - soapberry family

~140 genera and ~1500 species. Variety of habits from trees and shrubs to herbaceous Variable leaves and fruits Temperate to tropical climates Usually pinnately compound or palmate leaves. Trees include maples (previously Aceraceae), buckeye, soapberry, golden raintree, etc.

Acer

The maple Genus, ~129 species of trees and shrubs – many in Asia but also in Europe, North America (13 tree species) and Africa North temperate regions South into tropical mountains Leaves – mostly simple, broad and palmately lobed and veined. Sometimes compound. Fruit – paired, flat, long-winged, 1-seeded samaras Wood, syrup, ornamentals, honeybees.

Acer saccharum Marsh - sugar maple

One of the largest and most important of the hardwoods in the eastern US. - Can reach 300 - 400 years old. Striking multicolored foliage in autumn they are used as an ornamental (some pollution and salt damage). Used for maple syrup and referred to as a “hard maple” they make Quality lumber.

Acer saccharinum L. - silver maple

Medium to large tree with short, stout trunk. The leaves have 5 deeply palmate lobes. Found throughout the eastern US they are more of a bottomland species than sugar maple (along streams). Called “Soft maple” they are used as ornamental (rapid growth but brittle). Buds are a vital link in the food chain of squirrels. Early swelling at the time when stored food reserves are exhausted.

Oleaceae

The olive/lilac family. Widespread, especially in Asia 25 - 28 Genera 600 – 900 species of trees, shrubs, woody vines. North America - 22 native trees and 10 native shrubs. Many are economically important for timber or landscaping

Ash (Fraxinus).

Privet

Foresteria

Lilacs

Olive

Fraxinus – ash

~65 species of shrubs and trees, mostly deciduous and native to temperate regions, mostly in the Northern hemisphere but extending to topical regions of Mexico and Java. Some subtropical species are evergreen. Leaves are opposite and compound (pinnate).Usually dioecious but with age, and may change their sexual function from predominantly male and hermaphrodite towards femaleness! Fruit is a 1-seeded samara ("key") with a flattened, thin wing (reminiscent of a canoe paddle).

Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. - green ash

Most widely distributed ash (but not most common) 30 - 50’ x 20” (145’ x 6’ max); Poorly formed trunk. Mostly bottomland species although hardy and useful for reclaimation. Seed – 1 wing samara eaten by mammals and birds - DioeciousUsed for tool handles, baseball bats – shock resistant, Excellent bending qualities. Widely used as landscape tree. Used for electric guitars – lighter wood than white ash. Used by North American frogs as a critical food source, as the leaves that fall from the trees are particularly suitable for tadpoles. The Emerald ash borer is a serious problem.

Fraxinus americana L. - White ash

The largest, most common, and most useful ash (but not the most widespread).Furniture, bats, hockey sticks, etc. Important part of ecosystem 12 major insect pests / Emeral ash borer. Abundant seed crop – eaten by birds, fox squirrel, Browse by cattle or deer, Rabbits, beaver, porcupines eat bark.Also used by frogs (like green ash).