DENDROLOGY

trees to know

balsam fir, Abies balsamea, Pinaceae

• cool, moist sites

• pale grey bark w resin bubbles

• needles: 1 in long, 2 stomatal bands, flat

• repro: cones that stand straight up

• friendly fir

yellow birch, Betula alleghaniensis, Betulaceae

• cool, moist sites

• alt branch

• leaves: ovate, serrated

• bark: horz lenticels, bronze, platey, wintergreen smell, turns grey w age

• twigs: green / brown

• buds: red / brown w green scales

• repro: catkin

paper birch, Betula papyrifera, Betulaceae

• grows everywhere, shade intolerant

• alt branch

• bark: peely white, orange hues inside, horz lenticels

• twigs: covered in white dotted lenticels

• buds: green and sticky

• leaves: ovate, double toothed

• repro: stubby catkin

eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis, Pinaceae

• grows everywhere, cool / moist sites, shade tolerant

• bark: red / brown, develops thick ridges w age

• needles: 1/2 in long, 2 stomatal bands, flat

• repro: cones, 3/4 in, pendant hangs down

American beech, Fagus grandifolia, Fagaceae

• grows everywhere, moist / well drained sites

• alt branch

• bark: light grey, smooth

• leaves: ovate, toothed, 2-5 in long, pinnate

• twigs: zag from buds

• buds: thin glossy brown, mouse cigar

• repro: spiny burr with 2 nuts

American chestnut, Castanea dentata, Fagaceae

• rich soils

• alt branch

• monoecious (m & f flowers)

• bark: smooth dark grey, develops deep ridges

• leaves: coarsely toothed, 5-8 in long

• buds: small, stubby, round, yellow, half moon leaf scar left behind

• repro: prickly burr containing 2-3 nuts

red pine, Pinus resinosa, Pinaceae

• sandy / rocky, less fertile soil, shade intolerant

• needles: 2 out of fascicle, brittle, 4-6 in long

• bark: red / brown flaky, jigsaw pieces

• repro: cones, 2 in long, resin filled

eastern white pine, Pinus strobus, Pinaceae

• moist / sandy soils, old agro land

• bark: smooth grey, turns red / brown w age, develops scales & ridges

• needles: puffy look overall, 5 out of fascicles

• repro: cylindrical cone, 4-8 in long

sugar maple, Acer saccharum, Sapindaceae

• everywhere, moist / rich sites, shade tolerant

• opp branch

• bark: grey / brown, small cracks → platey, peels horiz

• leaves: palmate, 3-5 lobes, entire margins, square proportionate, U sinus

• buds: 3 brown buds at end of twig, ice cream cone shape, scales

• twigs: white lenticels

• repro: horseshoe samara

red maple, Acer rubrum, Sapindaceae

• everywhere, riparian areas

• opp branch

• bark: grey / brown, smooth → flakey vert strips → shaggy and peel off, target canker

• leaves: 3-5 lobes, V sinus, palmate, doubled serrated, red petiole

• twigs: red

• buds: red and round, clusters of 3-5

• repro: double samara, red wings

northern white-cedar, Thuja occidentalis, Cupressaceae

• moist (bogs), rocky sites

• red / brown bark develops light grey fibrous vert strips

• scale-like flat leaves

• repro: small cones in clusters

black walnut, Juglans nigra, Juglandaceae

• deep neutral pH soil

• bark: light brown, narrow diamond furrows → dark brown / black, deep furrows

• leaves: pinnate, compound, 10-24, no terminal leaf

• hairy, large, naked buds

• “monkey w no eyebrows” leaf scar

• repro: round nut w green husk

butternut, Juglans cinerea, Juglandaceae

• rich / dry / moist sites

• alt branch

• bark: light grey, brown cracks, shallow ridges (appears sanded)

• leaves: pinnate, compound, 11-17, terminal, ovate, serrated margins

• “eyebrow” hair leaf scar

• buds: naked tan buds

• most look like they’re dying

• repro: nut in oval husk

horsechestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum, Sapindaceae

• non-native, planted in yards

• opp branch

• bark: scaly brown

• leaves: palmate, compound, 5-9

• twigs: thick brown

• buds: sticky, scaled, red / brn

• repro: large nuts in spiky husks

tulip-poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera, Magnoliaceae

• rich / moist sites, shade intolerant

• alt branch

• bark: grey ridges, light grey furrows

• leaves: look like cat head, entire margin

• buds: green / brown, valvate

• repro: samara fruit

striped maple, Acer pensylvanicum, Sapindaceae

• cool / moist, shade tolerant

• opp branch

• bark: green / brown, pale vert lines → grey, black lines

• leaves: goose feet shape, 3 lobes, double lobe serrated

• twigs: green → red in fall, lines section twig into parts

• buds: valvate

• repro: double samara

sweetfern, Comptonia peregrina, Myricaceae

• poor / sandy soils

• small shrub, less than 3 ft

• leaves: long, leathery, dark green, fern shaped

• twigs: strong sweet smell

• repro: small nuts

gray birch, Betula populifolia, Betulaceae

• shade intolerant, 20-30 ft

• leaves: drip tip for water

• twigs: slender, dull grey / brown, warty lent makes it rough

• buds: spherical, smaller than other birches

• bark: doesn’t peel, mustache at branches

• repro: 1 or 2 catkins

chokecherry, Prunus virginiana, Rosaceae

• grows in shrub underbrush

• small shrub, less than 15 ft

• alt branch

• leaves: not shiny, widest at ends, serrate margins

• twigs: burnt almond smell, black knot fungus

• buds: 2 tone brown, pointy

• repro: red / black cherries

bigtooth aspen, Populus grandidentata, Salicaceae

• shade intolerant, grows in small groups

• alt branch

• leaves: coarsely dentate, fat egg shape

• buds: dull red or grey, small hairs, film, pointy

• bark: green / grey with diamond furrows, deeper furrows w age

• repro: catkins

pin cherry, Prunus pensylvanica, Rosaceae

• shade intolerant, open areas

• alt branch

• leaves: narrow, oblong

• twigs: shiny, red / brown, slender

• buds: round, bright red, clustered, “head of a pin”

• bark: shiny, red / brown, orange lent

• repro: bright red cherries

black cherry, Prunus serotina, Rosaceae

• shade intolerant

• alt branch

• leaves: widest at center, shiny, orange hairs on underside center vein

• twigs: brown, smell like cherry

• buds: brown & green, small

• bark: looks like burnt potato chips

• repro: purple / black cherries

quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides, Salicaceae

• shade intolerant, grows in groups

• alt branch

• leaves: fine toothed margins, flat petiole perpendicular to blade

• buds: scaled, glossy, pointed, red / brown, no film

• bark: white, flattened furrows, eyebrows, powder

• repro: catkins

common buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica, Rhamnaceae

• shade intol, invasive

• pseudo opp branch

• leaves: ovate, serrated margins, arch pinnation

• buds: dark, scaled, spike out of middle (buds surround)

• bark: dark shiny grey, smooth, speckled

• repro: dark black berries

glossy buckthorn, Frangula alnus, Rhamnaceae

• moist soils, shrub, invasive

• pseudo opp branch, but mostly alt

• leaves: smooth margin, pinnate, glossy

• buds: terminal, naked & fuzzy, tan, small

• bark: light brown, white lent

• repro: purple / black berries

honeysuckle, Lonicera spp., Caprifoliaceae

• thicket shrub, grows outwards

• opp branch

• leaves: matte, ovate

• twigs: brittle, hollow pith

• buds: long, pointy

• repro: red / orange berries

raspberry / blackberry, Rubus alleghaniensis, Rosaceae

• grows at edges of woods, herbaceous / stems

• RASP: pinnate, red stem w pricks, film

• BLACK: palmate, compound (5), green stem w thorns

• repro: berries

hobblebush, Viburnum lantanoides, Adoxaceae

• grows on slopes & mountains

• shrub, less than 5 ft

• opp branch

• leaves: circular, lily-pad shaped

• buds: naked, tan

• repro: small red berries

maple-leaf viburnum, Viburnum acerifolium, Adoxaceae

• everywhere, but likes drier soils

• small shrub, less than 4 ft

• opp branch

• leaves: palmate, 3-5 lobes, singly serrate margins, soft touch, looks like maple

• buds: 3+ scales, red / brown, hooked

• repro: pea sized black berries

beaked hazelnut, Corylus cornuta, Betulaceae

• shade intol

• shrub, 15-20 ft

• alt branch

• leaves: doubly serrate

• buds: small, round, hairy, “egg in a basket”

• repro: nuts enclosed in husk

• 2 stubby catkin

witch-hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, Hamamelidaceae

• edge growth, arching over

• alt branch

• leaves: wavy margin, asym at base

• buds: brown, naked & fuzzy, “witch finger”

• repro: yellow thread-like flower that blooms in fall & winter, brown capsule for spores

Asiatic bittersweet, Celastrus orbiculatus, Celastraceae

• strangling vine spirals around trees, invasive

• alt branch

• leaves: almost circular, light green to yellow in fall

• twigs: light brown w lent

• buds: little orange volcano

• repro: golden yellow capsules, red berries along stem

barberry, Berberis spp., Berberidaceae

• shade intol

• leaves: small, smooth or serrated margins, “spoon”

• twigs: red / brown, spikes

• repro: droopy red berries

silver maple, Acer saccharinum, Sapindaceae

• flood plains, rich/moist soils, shade intol

• opposite branch

• leaves: silver underside, palmate, ~5 skinny lobes, deep V sinus

• twigs: orange / brown, slender

• buds: red, scaled, small, round, smell bad, clusters

• bark: grey, vert cracks ages to long & shaggy strips

• repro: double samaras, light red, bigger

wild grape, Vitis spp., Vitaceae

• grows everywhere

• wraps around trees, vine

• alt branch

• leaves: simple

• bark: peely, stripy, chocolate brown

• repro: grapes

boxelder, Acer negundo, Sapindaceae

• riparian areas, shade intolerant

• opp branch

• curves / tilted, scrappy & brittle

• leaves: poison ivy looking, compound, 3-7 (usually 3), irregular coarse teeth

• twigs: smooth, light green / purple, waxy

• buds: film, scaled

• bark: light brown / grey, ridges

• repro: samaras, smallest angle

eastern hackberry, Celtis occidentalis, Cannabaceae

• riparian, lowland, ornamental

• alt branch

• leaves: asym base, pinnate, serrated, rough top, galls

• bark: 3D printed, corky ridges, gray

• twigs: zig zag pattern

• buds: terminal bud leans over, scaled, small, brown, pyramid

• repro: pea-sized berry, orange / red to purple

elderberry, Sambucus spp., Adoxaceae

• forest edges, full sun, arching growth

• shrub / small tree, < 20 ft

• opp branch

• bark: warty, lent, brown

• leaves: compound, 5-9, toothed

• buds: large, round, scaled, purple, double terminal

• repro: little red / purple berries

black willow, Salix nigra, Salicaceae

• riparian, shade intol

• branchy / forky, sprouting

• leaves: 3-6 in, taper to point, skinny, fine toothed

• buds: single scaled, tucked to twig, slightly fuzzy

• bark: dark, shaggy, brown / black, deep grooves

• repro: cone capsules w/ cottonseeds, catkins

eastern cottonwood, Populus deltoides, Salicaceae

• riparian, shade intol

• “big guy w/ cool bark”

• bark: deeply furrowed, blocky, grey

• twigs: knobby, thick

• buds: scaled, thick, pointy

• leaves: ❤ shaped, pinnate, 3-6, serrate

• repro: seeds on cotton, catkins

white ash, Fraxinus americana, Oleaceae

• uplands, intermediate shade

• opp branch

• leaves: pinnate, compound, 5-7, turns purple in fall

• bark: diamond ridges, deep furrows, grey

• twigs: green / grey

• buds: deeply notched, horseshoe leaf scar, not fuzzy, terminal is blunt

• repro: clusters of single, dry, flat, samaras

speckled alder, Alnus incana, Betulaceae

• riparian areas

• small tree / shrub, < 20 ft

• bark: dark brown, warty white lenticels

• leaves: optical, dark green, rough, doubly toothed

• buds: valvate, tucked to twig, maroon

• repro: small cones, catkins

American basswood, Tilia americana, Malvaceae

• magnesium & calcium rich soils, shade tol

• grows in stands

• bark: long vert strips, brown

• leaves: big, ❤ shaped, serrate, rounded at base, asym

• buds: valvate, red or green

• repro: spherical pea-sized berry on wing

green ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Oleaceae

• riparian areas, planted street trees

• opp branch

• leaves: 7-9, pinnate, compound, less round, turns yellow in fall

• buds: flat leaf scar, slightly notched, fuzzy, round, scaled, “hershey kiss” terminal

• twigs: thick

• bark: diamond furrows

• repro: single samara

musclewood, Carpinus caroliniana, Betulaceae

• understory, midslopes

• alt branch

• bark: “muscley,” smooth grey

• buds: many, small, scaled

• leaves: finely toothed, birch look

• twigs: zig zag pattern

• repro: winged nut

northern red oak, Quercus rubra, Fagaceae

• intermediate shade

• leaves: wide, pointy, shallow sinuses

• buds: scaled, circular if cut, red / orange, silver hairs

• bark: red inner, dark brown / grey cracks, white streaks

• repro: acorn, thin cap

black oak, Quercus velutina, Fagaceae

• alt branch

• bark: dark, rough, scaly

• leaves: simple, pointed, lobed, deeper sinus, glossy, dark green

• buds: scaled, beige, pointed, angular if cut, ridgey

• repro: acorn, half enclosed by shaggy cap

ironwood, Ostrya virginiana, Betulaceae

• dry sites, slopes, shade tol

• bark: vert strips

• twigs: light brown

• buds: 4+ scales, alternating green & brown

• leaves: simple, pinnate, serrated, looks like birch

• repro: ribbed nut w/ wings

bitternut hickory, Carya cordiformis, Juglandaceae

• moist bottomland, intermediate shade

• bark: silver to brown, narrow orange lines to vert strips, “woven basket”

• leaves: pinnate, 7-9, compound

• buds: pointed, hairy, yellow, 4 points, terminal is naked

• repro: spherical nut, 4 wings

white oak, Quercus alba, Fagaceae

• drier sites, fire prone

• bark: white / grey, flat ridges, rectangular blocks, brightest tree in forest

• leaves: rounded lobes, 4-7 in, bright green

• twigs: grey / purple

• buds: scaled, cone, brown / tan / red, small, clustered

• repro: acorn, longer than caps

staghorn sumac, Rhus typhina, Anacardiaceae

• roadsides, burn areas, shade intol

• small tree, thicket

• leaves: pinnate, compound, 11-31, serrated

• buds: small, hidden in leaf scar, naked

• twigs: tan, thick, velvety, “deer antler”

• bark: grey / brn, lenticels

• repro: fuzzy red berry clusters, still visible in winter

common apple, Malus sylvestris, Rosaceae

• shade intol

• small twisted tree

• leaves: ovate, small, “classic leaf”

• twigs: spur shoots

• bark: flaky, dark brn, almost burnt potato chip

• buds: scaled

• repro: apples

Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Vitaceae

• climbing vine

• leaves: palmate, compound, ~5, serrate, green to red

• buds: light brn, scaled, small, stubby

• bark: light brn, some swirls

• repro: dark berries

black birch, Betula lenta, Betulaceae

• moist → drier soils, intermediate shade

• leaves: classic birch, ovate, serrated

• buds: scaled, brn / green, VERY pointy

• twigs: spur shoots, dark, strong wintergreen smell

• bark: platey birch, dark color

• repro: catkins

black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia, Fabaceae

• riparian, shade intol

• leaves: compound, 7-19, small & round (2 in)

• buds: small

• twigs: sharp spines

• bark: light brn / grey, irregular 3D diamond furrows

• repro: smooth short pea pods, brn / purple

Norway maple, Acer plantanoides, Sapindaceae

• ornamental, shade tol

• black tar spot is common, milky sap from leaf scar

• leaves: standard maple shape, U sinus, smooth margins, 5-7 lobes, wider than tall

• twigs: stout, brn

• buds: scaled (4 or 5), large, blunt, grn or red / purp

• bark: smooth and tan → grey diamond furrows

• repro: wide angled double samaras

American elm, Ulmus americana, Ulmaceae

• riparian, intermediate shade

• droopy shape

• alt branch

• leaves: pinnate, ovate, coarsely doubly toothed, asym base, sandpaper top

• buds: scaled, brn, terminal is 45*

• twigs: zig zag

• bark: tan / light brn, spongey when young, layered, diamond shaped

• repro: single samara

slippery elm, Ulmus rubra, Ulmaceae

• riparian, intermediate shade

• leaves: pinnate, asym at base, coarsely doubly serrate, sandpaper on both sides

• buds: scaled, big, brn, terminal is 45*

• twigs: sandpaper hairs

• bark: grey / brn, diamondish

• repro: samara

American sycamore, Platanus occidentalis, Platanaceae

• rich lowlands / poorly drained soils, street tree, intermediate shade

• pretty massive >100 ft

• leaves: palmate, 3-5 lobes, big and wide, big teeth

• buds: 1 scale cap, cone, too small for scar

• twigs: zig zag, dark brn / purp

• bark: green / grey, flakes off in camo design, leaves white / tan

• repro: small hard nuts

dogwood, Swida spp., Cornaceae

• shade intol

• small shrub / tree

• opp branch

• leaves: smooth margins, arching veins

• buds: pointed, naked, smooth

• repro: berries

swamp white oak, Quercus bicolor, Fagaceae

• riparian edges, street ornamental

• leaves: wide at end, round lobes, shallow sinuses

• twigs: flakey, peely, birch-like

• buds: clustered, small, round, hairs

• bark: light grey / brn → irregular strips

• repro: acorn, 2-3x taller than cap, long connector twig to cap

Austrian pine, Pinus nigra, Pinaceae

• salt tolerant, landscaping tree

• needles: groups of 2, bendy

• bark: grey, little flakey → resiny + furrowed

• repro: cones, light brown, egg shape

serviceberry, Amelanchier arborea, Rosaceae

• everywhere

• small shrub / tree

• leaves: pinnate, finely serrate, small-med size

• twigs: brn, slender

• buds: scaled, long, slender, pointed, white hairs under scales

• bark: light grey, vert strips → deeper w age

• repro: red round berries w white flowers-

weeping Alaska-cedar, Callitropsis nootkatensis (pendula), Cupressaceae

• “weepy” branches

• needles: evergreen last in winter, rounded, green, fronds

• bark: thin, shallow, ridges, grey

• repro: cones, small (1/4 in), round, smooth scales

lombardy poplar, Populus nigra (italica), Salicaceae

• tall and slender shape

• leaves: aspen look, broadly deltoid, finely serrate, shiny, dark grn, pale underside, flattened petiole

• twigs: stout, thick, yellow / brn

• buds: big, scaled, pointed, sticky, tucked to twig

• bark: smooth, grey / grn → grey / black, deep furrows

• repro: hanging clusters of light brn capsules

river birch, Betula nigra, Betulaceae

• riparian areas, landscaping tree

• leaves: ovate, birch shape, coarse doubly serrate

• twigs: light brn, hairy

• buds: scaled, hooked tip

• bark: salmon, peels all over the place

• repro: catkins

Norfolk Island-pine, Araucaria heterophylla, Araucariaceae

• indoor ornamental

• needles: awl, waxy, shiny, feels fake

• bark: dry spikes, brn / red

hawthorn, Crataegus spp., Rosaceae

• ornamental, shade intolerant

• small tree / shrub, spreads branches

• twigs: long thorns

• leaves: serrate, lobes

• repro: red berries

Kentucky coffeetree, Gymnocladus dioicus, Fabaceae

• leaves: bipinnately compound, tapered lancolet

• twigs: smooth, small

• bark: vert irrgular ridges

• repro: thick leathery husks

blue spruce, Picea pungens, Pinaceae

• ornamental

• needles: filmy, blue (but not always), sharp

• bark: flakey, rounded

• repro: cones, golden brn, thin & flexible scales

thornless honeylocust, Gleditsia triacanthos (inermis), Fabaceae

• ornamental

• leaves: (bi)pinnately compound, small, oval

• twigs: zig zag, smooth, brn

• buds: small, hidden in leaf scar

• bark: long vert strips, narrow ridges, dark brn / black

• repro: long bean pod, usually curled, leathery texture

Norway spruce, Picea abies, Pinaceae

• ornamental

• needles: spikey, dark grn, shiny, 4 sided

• twigs: orange, droopy, “misses his homeland”

• repro: cones, long (4-7 in), cylindrical, stiff scales

ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba, Ginkgoaceae

• ornamental only, no longer in the wild

• leaves: fan shape, wavy margins

• twigs: long spur shoots

• bark: lighter in furrows

ornamental yew, Taxus x media, Taxaceae

• landscaping tree

• needles: soft, flexible, dark green, 2 stomata bands

• buds: little, light grn

• repro: seed inside red cup

pin oak, Quercus palustris, Fagaceae

• riparian areas, ornamental

• lower branches point down, mid go to the middle, high point up (conifer-esque)

• leaves: super deep sinuses

• twigs: spur shoots

• buds: clustered, little, pointed

• repro: acorns, thin cap doesn’t fully fit, striped nut looks like watermelon

Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinaceae

• needles: friendly fir (soft)

• twigs: grey / yellow

• bark: resin bubbles when young, red / brn, thicker ridges & deeper furrows

• repro: cones, small, stiff, mouse feet from each scale

white spruce, Picea glauca, Pinaceae

• shallow / rocky sites, shade intol

• needles: blue / green, 4 sided

• bark: platey / scales, rounded, light grey

• repro: cones (2 in), grey / red brn, very flakey

Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris, Pinaceae

• poor soils, shade intol

• needles: 2 per group, short (1-2 in), flexible, twisted

• bark: red / brn, deep furrows, bright orange at top / branches

• repro: cones, little, egg shape, raised edge on scales

red spruce, Picea rubens, Pinaceae

• shade tol, rocky uplands, shallow soils

• needles: spiky, shiny, mid length

• twigs: red / orange, fine hairs

• bark: dark purple / red

• repro: cones, stiff, notched scales

mountain maple, Acer spicatum, Sapindaceae

• higher elevations, wet areas

• small tree / shrub

• leaves: palmate, coarsely toothed, hairy underside, veins sunken into blade, singly serrate

• buds: valvate, grn / red, slender, hairy, pointed

• twigs: grn / orange, hairy

• bark: red / brn OR grey, slightly furrowed

American mountain-ash, Sorbus americana, Rosaceae

• high elevations, disturbed areas

• alt branch

• leaves: compound, 11-17, toothed, serrated

• buds: sticky, dark brn / purple, scaled, canine tooth shape

• bark: grey, orange lent, cracked & peely w age

• twigs: middle smells like plums

• repro: bright red clustered pomes

mountain paper birch, Betula cordifolia, Betulaceae

• shade intol, mountains

• leaves: ❤ shape at base (cordate)

• twigs: no hair on new twigs

• bark: peels in big strips, dark salmon

Canada yew, Taxus canadensis, Taxaceae

• very shade tol, understory, moist / cool areas

• low lying mat / shrub

• needles: gloosy, grn, stomata bands

• buds: light grn, small

• repro: round modified cone

lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium, Ericaceae

• acidic poor soils, sandy areas

• small low shrub

• leaves: pinnate, ovate, lanceolate, narrow

• buds: bright red

• twigs: red or green

• repro: blueberries

prickly-ash, Zanthoxylum americanum, Rutaceae

• generalist, well drained soils

• alt branch

• leaves: pinnate, compound, 8 in, ovate, slightly serrate, red rachis

• buds: velvet, red, thorn on each side

• repro: red berry

nannyberry, Viburnum lentago, Adoxaceae

• swamps / moist areas, shade intol

• opp branch

• leaves: pinnate, finely serrate

• buds: valvate, witch finger, pinkish grey

• twigs: grey / brn, smooth

• repro: clustered blue berries w/ red stems

alternate-leaf dogwood, Swida alternifolia, Cornaceae

• forest interior, shade intol

• alt branching

• eaves: entire margins, arching veins

• buds: deep purple / brown, small, pointy

• twigs: dark, slender, turn orange when die

• repro: blue / black berry

shagbark hickory, Carya ovata, Juglandaceae

• well drained, moist sites

• alt branch

• leaves: compound, 8-14 in, 5 leaflets, 3 terminals are the largest, smaller closer to petiole

• bark: very curly / shaggy strips, brn / red

• buds: scaled, giant egg in basket

• twigs: olive grey - dark red / brn

• repro: nut with 4 grooves

bur oak, Quercus macrocarpa, Fagaceae

• shade intol, dry uplands / moist bottomlands, prairies

• leaves: entire margins, deeply sinused (snatched waist)

• bark: deeply furrowed, grey / brn

• buds: blunt, hairs on terminal

• twigs: corky wings

• repro: largest acorn, fringy cap covers almost all

poison ivy, Toxicodendron radicans, Anacardiaceae

• edge growth, vines / carpet

• alt branch

• leaves: groups of 3, 7-10 in, ovate, irregularly toothed, shiny grn

• buds: naked, fuzzy, brn, ¼ in

• twigs: slender, grey-red / brn

• repro: grn / white round berries in clusters

gooseberry, Ribes spp., Grossulariaceae

• intermediate - intol of shade

• leaves: palmate, margin varies, soft feel

• buds: tan, scaled, little spines at base

• repro: berries, grape-look

black ash, Fraxinus nigra, Oleaceae

• swamps, rich / moist soils

• opp branch

• leaves: compound, connect to rachis (no stalk)

• bark: tan - grey / brn, spongy, 3Dish

• buds: dark brn, separation between term & lat buds

• twigs: smooth, grey - olive grn round leaf scar

• repro: 1 wide & fat samara

highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum, Ericaceae

• moist, acidic soils

• shrub / thickets

• leaves: 1-2 in, simple, finely serrate

• twigs: light grn - red, zig zag, slender

• buds: bright red, velvet, small

• bark: peely, orange

• repro: bigger blueberry

winterberry, Ilex verticillata, Aquifoliaceae

• wetlands or dry grasslands, shade tol

• thicket growth

• leaves: sharply toothed, glossy, defined tip

• twigs: white lent

• buds: white / brn, small

• bark: thin, smooth, grey / brn

• repro: bright red berry

tamarack, Larix laricina, Pinaceae

• moist sites, shade intol

• leaves: bright green → yellow / dead, clusters on spur shoots

• buds: stout, scaled, end of spur shoots

• bark: grey - red / brn, irregular scales

• repro: small egg cones on twigs

common bushbutton, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Rubiaceae

• riparian shrub

• opp branch

• leaves: ovate, short petiole, pointed tip

• buds: very small, D shape leaf scar

• repro: clusters of seed pods

sweet gale, Myrica gale, Myricaceae

• bog shrub

• leaves: coarsely toothed & broader at tip, smells sweet, golden resin drops

• twigs: slender, dark brn

• buds: small, pointed

• bark: red / brn → grey / brn, lent

• repro: catkin

black-gum, Nyssa sylvatica, Cornaceae

• moist areas / edges of wetlands, shade tol

• leaves: oval shape, entire margins, 2-5 in, red in fall

• twigs: spur shoots

• buds: ovate, light brn, scaled, end of spur shoots

• bark: brn - grey, thick irregular blocks

• repro: dark blue berry

black spruce, Picea mariana, Pinaceae

• small bog tree, intermediate shade

• needles: dull blue - grn, flexible, soft, waxy

• twigs: curve up at ends

• bark: grey / brn, thick scales

• repro: small spherical cones

pitch pine, Pinus rigida, Pinaceae

• poor sandy / rocky soils, shade intol

• needles: not flexible, 3 per fascicle, twisty

• bark: sprouts from trunk, red - brn, flat & thick plates w deep furrows

• repro: cones, 2-4 in, sharp prickle at scale tip