Common trees of Pennsylvania Joseph E. Ibberson_ A. B. Mickalitis_ J. E. Aughenbaugh_ and C. L. Morris 1056 downloads.pdf

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Title: Common trees of Pennsylvania

Author: Joseph E. Ibberson
J. E. Aughenbaugh
A. B. Mickalitis
C. L. Morris

Illustrator: J. M. Francis

Release date: November 16, 2016 [eBook #53535]
Most recently updated: October 23, 2024

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53535

Credits: Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, MFR and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COMMON
TREES OF PENNSYLVANIA ***

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

DIAGRAM SHOWING FUNCTIONS OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF A TREE
Courtesy of the New Tree Experts Manual by Richard R. Fenska

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

i

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

ii

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.

iii

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.

iv

Types of Leaves

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

v

Arrangement of Leaves and Buds on Twigs

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

1

EASTERN HEMLOCK
(Tsuga canadensis)

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.

2

EASTERN WHITE PINE
(Pinus strobus)

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.

3

PITCH PINE
(Pinus rigida)

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.

4

VIRGINIA PINE
(Pinus virginiana)

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.

5

RED PINE
(Pinus resinosa)

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.

6

NORWAY SPRUCE
(Picea abies)

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.

7

RED SPRUCE
(Picea rubens)

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.

8

EASTERN LARCH
(Larix laricina)

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.

9

EASTERN REDCEDAR
(Juniperus virginiana)

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.

10

WHITE OAK
(Quercus alba)

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.

11

CHESTNUT OAK
(Quercus montana)

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.

12

EASTERN RED OAK
(Quercus borealis maxima)

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.

13

SCARLET OAK
(Quercus coccinea)

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.

14

BLACK OAK
(Quercus velutina)

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.

15

PIN OAK
(Quercus palustris)

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.

16

AMERICAN BEECH
(Fagus grandifolia)

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.

17

SUGAR MAPLE
(Acer saccharum)

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.

18

RED MAPLE
(Acer rubrum)

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.

19

SILVER MAPLE
(Acer saccharinum)

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.

20

NORWAY MAPLE
(Acer platanoides)

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.

21

BUTTERNUT
(Juglans cinerea)

Leaves: Compound, alternate; leaflets 11 to 17, each 3″-5″ long, small-
toothed; dark yellow-green above, paler, hairy below. End
leaflet same size as side leaflets. Main leaf-stem with conspicuous sticky

hairs. One of the last trees to unfold its leaves in spring, and the first to shed
them in autumn.

Twigs: Stout, greenish-gray to tan, rough, brittle. Pith chocolate-brown,
chambered. Buds light brown, hairy, not covered with scales;
end bud ½″-¾″ long, side buds smaller. Fringe of short hairs between leaf-
scar and bud.

Fruit: An oblong nut, 1½″-2½″ long, covered with a hairy, sticky husk.
Nut pointed at one end, shell rough, oily kernel sweet.

General: Bark on young trunks rather smooth, light-gray; later darker,
deeply furrowed with wide, smooth, flat-topped ridges. A small
to medium-sized tree. Wood used chiefly for furniture, instrument cases, and
boxes. Also called white walnut.

22

EASTERN BLACK WALNUT
(Juglans nigra)

Leaves: Compound, alternate; leaflets 15 to 23, each 3″-4″ long, small-
toothed; dark yellow-green above, paler, hairy below. End
leaflet absent or very small. Main leaf-stem with very fine hairs.

Twigs: Stout, orange-brown to dark brown, roughened by large leaf
scars, easily broken; pith pale brown, chambered. Buds gray,
downy; side buds ⅙″ long, end bud larger.

Fruit: A round nut, 1″-2″ in diameter, shell rough, covered with a
thick, almost smooth, green spongy husk; oily kernel sweet.

Flowers in drooping green catkins, appearing with the unfolding leaves,
which is also true of butternut.

General: Bark dark brown to gray-black, with narrow ridges. A large-
sized tree, found locally on rich soils mainly in the southern part
of the State. Wood valuable for quality furniture, veneer, gun stocks and
musical instruments.

23

SHAGBARK HICKORY
(Carya ovata)

Leaves: Compound, alternate; leaflets usually 5, each 4″ to 7″ long, the
lower pair smallest, margins fine-toothed; fragrant when
crushed. Larger than those of pignut hickory, with which it is sometimes
confused.

Twigs: Stout, often hairy, gray-brown to reddish brown, with numerous
light spots (lenticels). Buds large, with 3-4 outer dark brown,
loosely fitting, nearly smooth scales; inner scales velvety; end buds ½″-¾″
long.

Fruit: Nearly round, 1″-2½″ in diameter; husk thick, splits into 4
pieces when ripe; nut white, 4-ridged, pointed at one end,
usually thin-shelled; kernel sweet.

General: Bark at first smooth and gray, soon breaking into long and
loosely-attached plates that gives the trunk a shaggy appearance.
A medium-sized tree found on a variety of sites but most common on good
soils; grows slowly. Wood used principally for tool handles. The wood of all
hickories is valuable to the farmer for fuel and smoking meat.

24

SHELLBARK HICKORY
(Carya laciniosa)

Leaves: Compound, alternate; leaflets usually 7, each 4″-7″ long, hairy
beneath, margins fine-toothed. Dried leaf-stems often cling all
winter.

Twigs: Somewhat stouter than shagbark hickory, usually hairy, often
angled, orange-brown, with numerous orange spots (lenticels).
Buds very large, with 6-8 outer dark brown, loosely fitting keeled scales; end
buds ¾″-1″ long. Prominent orange-colored leaf scars.

Fruit: Nearly round to almost egg-shaped, 1¾″-2¾″ long; husk thick,
splits into 4 pieces when ripe; nut yellowish white to reddish
brown, 4- to 6-ridged, pointed at both ends, usually thick-shelled; kernel
sweet. Flowers appear in catkins, as do all the hickories, when leaves are
mature.

General: Bark like that of shagbark hickory but often with straighter
plates (less shaggy). A medium-sized tree that prefers wet soils.
Wood has same uses as shagbark hickory.

25

MOCKERNUT HICKORY
(Carya tomentosa)

Leaves: Compound, alternate; leaf-stems with fine hairs; leaflets 7 to 9,
each 4″-8″ long, margins finely to coarsely toothed; golden
glandular dots beneath; very fragrant when crushed.

Twigs: Stout, hairy, reddish brown to brownish gray, with numerous
pale spots (lenticels). Buds large, egg-shaped, with 3-5 outer
yellowish brown, densely hairy scales; end buds ½″-¾″ long. Leaf scars
distinctly 3-lobed.

Fruit: Nearly round to egg-shaped, 1½″-2″ long; husk thick, splits into
4 pieces when ripe; nut reddish brown, slightly ridged, thick-
shelled; kernel sweet.

General: Bark gray to dark gray, tight; irregularly shallow-fissured when
older. A medium-sized tree found mostly in the southern part of
the State. Wood has same uses as shagbark hickory.

26

PIGNUT HICKORY
(Carya glabra)

Leaves: Compound, alternate; leaflets usually 5, each 3″-6″ long;
margins fine-toothed. Entire leaf smooth. Averages smaller than
shagbark hickory.

Twigs: Medium-stout, not hairy, reddish brown, with numerous pale
spots (lenticels). Buds egg-shaped and pointed, smallest of the
native hickories, with more than 6 scales; outer scales often fall off during
the winter, end buds ¼″-½″ long.

Fruit: Usually pear-shaped, 1″-2½″ long; husk thin, remains closed or
splits partly when ripe; nut brownish white, not ridged, usually
thick-shelled; kernel sweet but with bitter after-taste.

General: Bark gray to dark gray, usually tight; shallow fissured when
older. A medium-sized tree of drier locations. Wood has same
uses as shagbark hickory.

27

BITTERNUT HICKORY
(Carya cordiformis)

Leaves: Compound, alternate; leaf-stem slender, somewhat downy;
leaflets 7-11, each 3″-6″ long, narrow margins finely to coarsely
toothed.

Twigs: Medium-stout, smooth, orange-green to gray-brown, with
numerous pale spots (lenticels). Buds covered with 4 sulphur-
yellow, gland-dotted scales, end buds ⅓″-¾″ long, flattened.

Fruit: Nearly round, ¾″-1½″ in diameter; husk thin, yellowish gland-
dotted, splits about to the middle into 4 sections when ripe; nut
light reddish brown or gray-brown, not ridged, thin-shelled; kernel with red-
brown skin, bitter.

General: Bark gray, tight; remains rather smooth for many years; with
narrow ridges when older. A medium-sized tree, usually found
near streams; grows more rapidly and its wood is lighter than any of the
other native hickories. Wood has same uses as shagbark hickory.

28

SWEET BIRCH
(Betula lenta)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, about 3½″ long, unevenly saw-toothed; dull
green above, yellow-green beneath, with some white hairs at the
points where veins join; usually heart-shaped at the base.

Twigs: Green and somewhat downy when young, becoming red-brown,
smooth and shiny. Strong wintergreen flavor. Buds reddish
brown, sharp-pointed, shiny.

Fruit: A very small winged nut. These nuts, together with small scales,
form a cone-like structure about 1½″ long. Sketch shows twig in
spring with male and female flowers. All birches have similar fruiting
structures.

General: Bark on young trees dark reddish brown, tight, marked with pale
horizontal lines (lenticels), resembling bark of young black
cherry; becoming black and breaking into large plates. Medium-sized tree.
Wood used chiefly for furniture, boxes, and other containers. Distillation of
the bark and twigs produces “oil-of-wintergreen.” Also known as black
birch.

29

YELLOW BIRCH
(Betula lutea)

Leaves: Simple, alternate; similar to sweet birch but base usually
rounded.

Twigs: Like sweet birch but paler, and more downy when young.
Wintergreen flavor faint. Buds slightly downy, dull, yellowish
brown. Sketch shows winter twig with lateral buds and partially grown
female flowers.

Fruit: Similar to sweet birch.

General: Bark on very young trees golden gray, shiny; later yellow,
forming ragged ends which curl and can be readily peeled in
thin, narrow strips, highly inflammable, and ideal to start a fire under wet
conditions. On very old trunks bark becomes darker, coarse and platy. A

medium to large tree. Found mostly in the northern part of the State. Wood
principally used for furniture, interior finish, boxes and other containers.

30

RIVER BIRCH
(Betula nigra)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 1½″-3″ long, dark green above, yellow-green
below, wedge-shaped at the base, margins usually with large
teeth.

Twigs: Slender, at first greenish and hairy, later turning reddish brown,
smooth; with pale horizontal lines (lenticels). Buds sharp-
pointed and shiny, smooth or slightly fuzzy.

Fruit: Similar to sweet birch.

General: Bark reddish brown or cinnamon, peeling off in curled, shaggy
strips; on older trunks becoming dark colored and rough.
Medium-sized tree; found almost entirely along the lower reaches of our
larger streams. Wood lighter, softer, and less valuable than sweet birch and
yellow birch.

31

PAPER BIRCH
(Betula papyrifera)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 2″-3″ long, oval, sharply toothed, dark green
above, lighter below.

Twigs: At early age greenish and fuzzy, later turning dark gray;
irregularly marked with raised orange colored dots (lenticels).
Buds dark brown, sticky. Immature male catkins at the ends of the twigs in
autumn and winter, as is true of all the birches.

Fruit: Similar to sweet birch. Mature in July.

General: Bark creamy, to chalky white, peeling easily. Once the bark is
removed, it is not renewed. A small to medium-sized tree. Often
found with several stems growing together, occurring naturally only in the
northern part of the State. Also called canoe birch and white birch. Wood has
uses similar to those of yellow birch, but principally used for spools, clothes-
pins, toothpicks and paper pulp.

32

GRAY BIRCH
(Betula populifolia)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, triangular in shape, with long tapering point,
2½″-3″ long, smooth above and below, tremulous. Leaf-stems
very slender. Turn yellow in autumn, as is true of all birches.

Twigs: Slender, greenish brown, rough due to small warty glands. Buds
sharp-pointed, gummy.

Fruit: Similar to sweet birch but shorter (¾″ long).

General: Bark dull white, not peeling into thin paper-like layers as is the
case with paper birch; dark colored on the branches; orange
inner bark. Usually with triangular-shaped black patches on the trunk. A
small short-lived tree, usually growing in clumps. Occurs chiefly in the
northeastern counties. Wood of little commercial value; chiefly used for fuel.

33

BLACK LOCUST
(Robinia pseudoacacia)

Leaves: Compound, alternate; leaflets 1″-2″ long, margins smooth.

Twigs: Angled, somewhat zigzag, brittle, with short stout prickles; no
end bud, side buds small and hidden in winter.

Fruit: A thin, flat pod, 2″-4″ long; usually with 4-8 seeds; splits into
halves when ripe. Flowers white, showy, very fragrant in
drooping clusters, appearing in May and June.

General: Bark rough, furrowed, thick. A medium-sized tree. Often seen
along farm fences and roads. Wood is durable in contact with the
soil and in demand for posts, poles, railroad ties, and mine timbers.

Unfortunately, several insects and wood rots often cause heavy damage,
especially to trees on poor soils.

34

COMMON HONEYLOCUST
(Gleditsia triacanthos)

Leaves: Compound and doubly-compound, alternate; leaf-stem grooved
above, hairy; leaflets 1″ long, usually fine-toothed on margins.

Twigs: Medium stout, shiny, greenish brown to reddish brown, zigzag,
smooth, often with long branched thorns; no end bud, very small
side buds.

Fruit: A leathery pod, 10″-18″ long, flat, usually twisted, with
numerous seeds; often of high sugar content; eaten by some
animals. Does not split into 2 halves, as does the pod of black locust.

General: Bark on young trees greenish brown with many long, raised,
horizontal lines (lenticels); later brown to nearly black, fissured
and with thick plates. A medium-sized tree; usually found as a native near
streams; also planted as a shade tree. Branched thorns on the trunk and limbs
make it easy to identify in winter. There is a thornless variety. Wood is
mainly used for fence posts, general construction, and furniture.

35

WHITE ASH
(Fraxinus americana)

Leaves: Compound, opposite; leaflets 5-9, each 3″-5″ long, stalked,
somewhat silvery beneath; margins entire or with few rounded
teeth toward the tip.

Twigs: Stout, usually smooth, gray-brown, with few large pale spots
(lenticels). Buds blunt, dark brown. Leaf scars half-circular but
notched at top.

Fruit: A winged seed, 1″-2″ long, ¼″ wide, shaped like a canoe paddle,
in hanging clusters which often remain attached for several
months after ripening in autumn.

General: Bark gray-brown, with diamond-shaped fissures when older. A
large tree; trunk usually long and straight; commonly occurring
on rich soils. Wood important for such special uses as handles, vehicle parts
and athletic equipment (practically all baseball bats); valuable for curved
parts in furniture.

36

BLACK ASH
(Fraxinus nigra)

Leaves: Compound, opposite; leaflets 7-11, each 3″-5″ long, not stalked
except end one, dark green above, lighter green beneath with
some rusty hairs; margins saw-toothed.

Twigs: Stout, at first somewhat hairy, becoming smooth, gray or red-
brown, with many large pale spots (lenticels). Buds dark brown
to black, end bud pointed. Leaf scars nearly circular, with raised margins;
not notched at the top.

Fruit: Resembles that of white ash but is usually smaller (1″-1¾″ long
and ⅜″ wide).

General: Bark grayish, when older becoming corky-ridged or scaly;
knobs frequent on the trunk. A medium-sized tree that prefers
cool, swampy sites. Wood is generally lighter in weight and weaker than
white ash but used for the same purposes.

37

TULIPTREE
(Liriodendron tulipfera)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 4″-6″ in diameter, generally 4-lobed, bright
green, turning yellow in autumn.

Twigs: In spring and summer, green, sometimes with purplish tinge;
during winter reddish brown, smooth, shiny. Buds large,
smooth, flattened, “duck-billed.”

Fruit: At first green, turning light brown when ripe in autumn; cone-
like, 2½″-3″ long, made up of winged seeds. Greenish yellow
tulip-like flowers in May or June.

General: Bark at first dark green and smooth; whitish vertical streaks
soon appearing; later dark gray and furrowed. A large tree, the
tallest of the eastern hardwoods. It grows rapidly and is an important timber
and shade tree. The wood is valuable for veneer and many other uses. Also
known as tulip poplar.

38

CUCUMBERTREE MAGNOLIA
(Magnolia acuminata)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 4″-12″ long, smooth above, downy beneath;
margins smooth or sometimes wavy.

Twigs: Reddish brown, shiny, with peppery smell and taste. Buds
covered with greenish white silky hairs; end buds ½″-¾″ long.
Leaf scars horseshoe shaped.

Fruit: When young, like a small green cucumber. When mature in
autumn, 3″-4″ long, a cluster of small red pods, each containing
two scarlet seeds; often remains attached all winter. Flowers large (3″ long),
greenish yellow, single, upright; appear from April to June.

General: Bark gray-brown to brown, developing long narrow furrows and
loose scaly ridges. A medium-sized tree, found mainly in the
western half of the State. Wood used mainly for interior finish, furniture and
containers.

39

AMERICAN ELM
(Ulmus americana)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 4″-6″ long, unequal at the base, rather rough
on the upper surface; usually soft-hairy below; veins prominent;
margin coarsely toothed. Leaf-stem short.

Twigs: Slender, zigzag, brown, smooth or slightly hairy. Leaf buds ⅛″-
¼″ long, flattened. Flower buds larger, below leaf buds. Bud
scales red-brown, smooth or downy; margins dark.

Fruit: A seed surrounded by an oval, thin papery wing, ½″ long,
deeply notched at the tip; ripening in spring and borne in
clusters; wing with scattered hairs along margin. Flowers and fruit appear
before the leaves, as is true of slippery elm.

General: Bark dark gray to gray-brown, with long corky ridges; on older
trees separated by diamond-shaped fissures. A large and highly
prized shade tree. The drooping crown often gives it a vase-shaped
appearance. Found locally throughout Pennsylvania, mainly on moist areas.
The hard, tough wood has many uses, including the manufacture of boxes,
barrels and furniture.

40

SLIPPERY ELM
(Ulmus fulva)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 5″-7″ long; usually larger than those of
American elm, rough on both sides or soft-hairy below; margin
coarsely toothed. Leaf-stem short.

Twigs: Stouter than on American elm, grayish and rather rough. Buds
slightly larger than those of American elm, and more round—
seldom flattened. Bud scales brown to almost black, rusty-haired.

Fruit: Like that of American elm but somewhat larger (¾″ long); wing
margin not hairy and slightly notched at the tip.

General: Bark similar to American elm but of lighter color, softer, and
fissures not diamond-shaped in outline. Inner bark sticky and
fragrant. A medium-sized tree usually found near streams. Crown does not
droop like that of American elm. The wood is commonly marketed with the
preceding species.

41

COMMON HACKBERRY
(Celtis occidentalis)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 2″-4″ long, slender pointed; margin sharp
toothed; base unequal; often rough above, slightly hairy and
veins prominent on undersides; 3-veined at base. Leaf-stem somewhat
downy and grooved; fairly long (compared to elm).

Twigs: Slender, reddish brown, with chambered white pith. Buds small,
sharp-pointed, closely pressed to the twig.

Fruit: Resembles a cherry, dark purple in color, ¼″-½″ diameter, sweet
but with very little flesh covering the pitted stone; borne singly
on a long slender stem; ripens in autumn.

General: Bark gray-brown with characteristic warty projections or
irregular ridges. A small tree. “Witches-brooms” are common.
Most common on limestone soils in moist locations. Sometimes mistaken for
elm. Wood used principally for furniture, boxes and other containers.

42

QUAKING ASPEN
(Populus tremuloides)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 1½″-3″ in diameter, light green, smooth above
and below, nearly circular; margins with fine teeth; leaf-stems
thin and flattened, causing the leaves to tremble in the slightest breeze.
Yellowish-green when unfolding in spring.

Twigs: Slender, reddish brown, smooth, shiny. Pith star-shaped, white.
Buds sharp-pointed, smooth, shiny, often curved inward.

Fruit: A small (¼″ long) capsule containing 10-12 seeds; capsules
spirally arranged on a 4″ long drooping stalk, maturing in early
summer. Each tiny cottony seed surrounded by long silky threads.

General: Bark thin, pale yellow-green to silvery gray when young,
eventually becoming dark brown or gray and rough. A small to
medium-sized tree, of rapid growth but short-lived. Often one of the first
forest trees to become established on recently burned areas; the most widely
distributed tree of North America. Most common in northern Pennsylvania.
Wood used chiefly for paper pulp.

43

BIGTOOTH ASPEN
(Populus grandidentata)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 3″-4″ long, dark green above, paler below,
margins with coarse teeth; leaf-stems flattened; silvery when
unfolding in spring.

Twigs: Rather stout, brownish gray, sometimes with a coating of pale,
wooly down. Buds blunt-pointed, dull, seldom curved, often
wooly.

Fruit: Similar to quaking aspen. Flowers, in the form of hanging
catkins, appear before the leaves in the spring, as is the case
with quaking aspen.

General: Bark similar to that of quaking aspen, but usually darker. A
small to medium-sized tree; short-lived. Most common in
southern Pennsylvania. Wood used chiefly for paper pulp.

44

BLACK WILLOW
(Salix nigra)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, long and narrow, short-stemmed, sharp
pointed, fine teeth on the margin, average length 3″; dark green
above, much lighter below. The stipules (“small leaves” at the base of leaf-
stems of the main leaves) remain through most of the summer.

Twigs: Slender, brittle at the base, bright reddish brown to orange-
green. Buds covered by a single scale, small, cone-shaped,
sharp-pointed.

Fruit: Small brown capsule, ¼″ long, borne in long hanging clusters;
ripens in May or June. Each tiny seed surrounded by tufts of
long silky hair.

General: Bark thick, dark brown, separating into broad, flat plates or
ridges as the tree grows older. A small to medium-sized tree.
Only native willow which grows to a fair size. Found mainly in moist
situations. Often several trunks arise from the same root system. Weeping
willow (S. babylonica) and brittle willow (S. fragilis) are introduced trees
often planted for ornamental purposes.

45

BLACK CHERRY
(Prunus serotina)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, narrow, with tapering tip, shiny above, paler
below and usually with reddish brown hairs near the base; 2″-5″
long, margins with short incurved teeth.

Twigs: Smooth, reddish brown, often covered with a thin gray coating
which peels or rubs off easily; bitter when chewed; with minute,
rounded gray lenticels. Buds smooth, shiny, sharp-pointed, same color as
twigs but often tinged with green.

Fruit: Round, black with a purplish tint, ⅓″-½″ in diameter, containing
a single round, stony seed. Arranged in hanging clusters.
Flowers white, in 4″-long upright clusters in June.

General: Bark on young trunks smooth, dark red-brown, marked with
numerous raised horizontal lines (lenticels), somewhat
resembling that of sweet birch; later breaking into thick irregular plates with
upturned edges. A large tree in the northern part of the State; medium-sized
in the southern counties. Wood used chiefly for quality furniture and interior
finish.

46

BLACK GUM
(Nyssa sylvatica)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 2″-4″ long, entire or wavy margin; dark green
and shiny above, often downy on the underside; turning a vivid
red in early autumn.

Twigs: Smooth, grayish to reddish brown; the white pith separated by
dark lines. Buds rounded in cross section, pointed, reddish
brown, ¼″ long.

Fruit: Cherry-like, ⅓″-⅔″ long, dark blue, 1-seeded, with thin flesh;
borne singly or in 2’s or 3’s in a cluster; ripens in autumn.

General: Bark on young trees smooth or scaly, light gray; on older trunks
dark gray, broken into blocks and resembling alligator hide. A
medium-sized tree, often flat-topped, with horizontal branches and short
spur-like twigs. Grows mainly on swampy lands, but found elsewhere. Wood
very difficult to split; used chiefly for boxes, fuel and railroad ties.

47

AMERICAN PLANETREE
(Platanus occidentalis)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 3-5 lobed, 4″-7″ across, generally wider than
long; light green above, paler and wooly beneath. Base of leaf-
stem hollow, enclosing next year’s bud.

Twigs: At first green and hairy, later brownish, smooth; zigzag. Buds
cone-like with a single smooth, reddish brown scale.

Fruit: A round “button-ball,” single or occasionally in 2’s on a tough
slender stalk. These fruit clusters are light brown, 1″-1¼″ in
diameter, consist of many seeds, each surrounded at the base by silky hairs;
usually hang throughout the winter.

General: Bark of two layers, the outer peeling in brown flakes, the inner
whitish, yellowish or greenish; on base of old trunks dark brown
and fissured. A tree of large size; mature trees often very massive. Prefers
stream banks. Wood used for furniture, crates, butcher blocks, and flooring.
Also known as American sycamore. The London planetree (P. acerifolia),
with 2, sometimes 3, “button-balls” on a stalk, is more commonly planted as
a shade tree.

48

COMMON HORSECHESTNUT
(Aesculus hippocastanum)

Leaves: Palmately compound, opposite; usually with 7 leaflets, each
4″-9″ long, wedge-shaped, long-pointed, smooth when full-
grown; turning a rusty yellow in autumn.

Twigs: Stout, usually not hairy. Buds blackish brown, sticky, large; end
bud ½″-1″ long.

Fruit: Roundish capsule, 1½″-2½″ in diameter, green husk with
prickles; breaks into three parts when ripe releasing 1 or 2 large,
shiny brown, non-edible seeds. Flower ¾″ long; showy-white and spotted
with yellow and red. Flower clusters erect, 8″-12″ long.

General: Bark grayish, broken into thin plates. A medium to large-sized
tree. Introduced from Europe and is a common shade tree in the
State. Leaves are often browned by diseases. Also known as European
buckeye. Two rather similar trees are native to southern Pennsylvania—Ohio
buckeye (A. glabra) and yellow buckeye (A. octandra).

49

AMERICAN LINDEN
(Tilia americana)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, somewhat heart-shaped, 4″-7″ long, shiny
dark green on top, smooth beneath except for tufts of rusty hair;
sharply toothed on margin.

Twigs: Green or reddish when young, turning brownish red; usually
zigzag. Buds deep red to greenish, usually lopsided, with 2-3
visible scales.

Fruit: Nutlike, thick-shelled, downy, about the size of a pea; borne in
groups from a long stem attached to narrow leaflike blade or
bract. The clustered fruit and bracts may remain on the tree until late winter.
Flowers yellowish white, fragrant.

General: Bark on young trunks smooth, tough, dark gray; on older trees
broken into narrow, scaly ridges. A large tree; usually found in
mixture with other hardwoods on moist, rich valley soils. Wood is used for a
variety of products including boxes, venetian blinds, sashes, doors, picture
frames, and furniture. Also known as basswood.

50

NORTHERN CATALPA
(Catalpa speciosa)

Leaves: In whorls of 3 or more, occasionally opposite, heart-shaped,
8″-12″ long and 6″-8″ wide; margin entire or wavy; smooth
above, hairy beneath.

Twigs: Stout, yellow-brown; no buds at the ends. Side buds small,
appear to be hidden in bark. Large, nearly round, depressed leaf
scars are characteristic.

Fruit: Bean-like, 8″-18″ long, narrow; pod separates into two halves
when ripe, hang on tips of branches all winter; many seeds, each
with long white hairs on both ends. Flowers in July, arranged in terminal
clusters about 8″ long; each showy flower white with yellow and purple
spots, 2″-3″ in diameter.

General: Bark light brown, scaly; slightly furrowed on older trees. A
medium to large-sized tree. Native to the Mississippi Valley.
Usually planted for shade purposes in this State but its wood is durable and
useful for posts. The less hardy Southern catalpa (C. bignonioides) with
slender pods has also been planted in Pennsylvania.

51

COMMON PERSIMMON
(Diospyros virginiana)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 4″-6″ long, dark green and glossy above, paler
and often wooly below; margins smooth or wavy.

Twigs: Grayish brown, smooth, sometimes velvety. No end bud; each
side bud covered by 2 glossy dark brown scales.

Fruit: Fleshy berry, large (¾″-2″ in diameter), plum-like, orange to
red, parts of the flower remain attached to the base (see sketch);
seeds 1-8, flat, rather large. Edible but often astringent when fully ripe in
autumn.

General: Bark dark gray to dark brown, separated into small blocks by
cinnamon-red bottomed furrows. A small to medium-sized tree
native to the southern part of the State. Wood hard, tough, used chiefly for
special products such as shuttles for weaving, spools, and golf-club heads.

52

COMMON PAWPAW
(Asimina triloba)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 5″-12″ long, drooping; somewhat like the leaf
of cucumbertree magnolia; dark green above, light green below;
margins smooth or wavy.

Twigs: Olive-brown, enlarged at points where leaves are attached,
somewhat hairy toward tips. Buds brown, hairy, not covered
with scales.

Fruit: Looks like a short stubby banana, greenish yellow at first,
brown when ripe in autumn, 3″-5″ long, edible; contains
numerous brown, shiny seeds imbedded in the fragrant outer pulp. Flowers
greenish-brown to purple, 1″ across, solitary, appear before the leaves.

General: Bark dark brown, thin, slightly fissured on older trees, often
marked with white blotches. A small tree. Generally found in the
understory of the forest in the southern half of the State on rich moist soil.
The fruit is of more value than its wood which is sometimes used for fuel.

53

COMMON SASSAFRAS
(Sassafras albidum)

Leaves: Simple, alternate, 4″-6″ long, characteristically aromatic when
crushed. Usually three types can be found on a tree: entire, 2-
lobed and 3-lobed (rarely 5-lobed). Smooth, dark green above, much lighter
beneath.

Twigs: Bright green, sometimes reddish, smooth and shiny; large white
pith. End bud much larger than side ones, with many loose
scales.

Fruit: Cherry-like, dark blue, shiny, about ½″ in diameter, on a red
stem enlarged at the point of attachment. Borne in clusters.
Yellow flowers appear before the leaves unfold.

General: Bark on young trees soon becomes furrowed, the greenish bark
changing to brown; inner bark salmon colored; older trees show
deep fissures extending long distances up the trunk. A small to medium-sized
tree, with crooked branches; often spreading by root suckers. Its roots,
leaves, twigs and fruit have a spicy odor; the oil contained in these parts is
used for a “tea,” in medicines, perfumes, etc. Wood used chiefly for fuel and
fence posts.

54

FLOWERING DOGWOOD
(Cornus florida)

Leaves: Simple, opposite, 3″-5″ long; clustered toward tips of twigs;
margins smooth or wavy; veins prominent and curved like a
bow. Foliage bright red in autumn.

Twigs: Red tinged with green, often with a bluish white powdery
coating; marked with rings; tips curve upward. End leaf bud
covered by 2 reddish scales; side leaf buds very small; flower buds
conspicuous, silvery, button-shaped, at ends of twigs.

Fruit: An egg-shaped drupe, ½″- ⅗ ″ long; coat red; flesh yellowish;
stone grooved, 2-celled; usually in clusters of 2-5; persist after

the leaves fall. Flowers greenish white or yellowish, small, in flat-topped
clusters; four showy white bracts underneath; open before the leaves.

General: Bark red-brown to reddish gray, broken by fissures into small
blocks, like alligator hide. A small native tree with low
spreading crown, especially valued for ornamental planting. Wood used
primarily for textile weaving shuttles. There is a variety with red or pink
bracts.

55

INDEX

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W
X Y Z

A
Ash, black 36
white 35
Aspen, bigtooth 43
trembling 42

B
Basswood 49
Beech, American 16
Birch, black 28
canoe 31
gray 32
paper 31
river 30
sweet 28
white 31
yellow 29
Buckeye, Ohio 48
yellow 48
Butternut 21

C
Catalpa, northern 50
southern 50

Cherry, black 45

D
Dogwood, flowering 54

E
Elm, American 39
slippery 40

G
Gum, black 46

H
Hackberry, common 41
Hemlock, eastern 1
Hickory, bitternut 27
mockernut 25
pignut 26
shagbark 23
shellbark 24
Honeylocust, common 34
Horsechestnut, common 48

L
Larch, eastern 8
European 8
Japanese 8
Linden, American 49
Locust, black 33

M
Magnolia, cucumbertree 38
Maple, hard 17
Norway 20
red 18
silver 19
soft 18, 19, 20
sugar 17

O
Oak, black 14
chestnut 11
eastern red 12
pin 15
rock 11
scarlet 13
white 10

P
Pawpaw, common 52
Persimmon, common 51
Pine, eastern white 2
pitch 3
red 5
scrub 4
Virginia 4
Planetree, American 47

R
Redcedar, eastern 9

S
Sassafras, common 53
Spruce, black 7
Norway 6
red 7
Sycamore, American 47

T
Tamarack 8
Tuliptree 37
Tulip poplar 37

W
Walnut, eastern black 22
white 21
Willow, black 44

brittle 44
weeping 44

56

NOTES

White Oak

Chestnut Oak

Eastern Red Oak

Scarlet Oak

Sugar Maple

Red Maple

Yellow Birch

Paper Birch

Bigtooth Aspen

Transcriber’s Notes

Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook is
public-domain in the country of publication.
Corrected a few palpable typos.
In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by _underscores_.
Included a transcription of the text within some images.
The “Notes” section (blank pages in the printed edition) illustrates
leaves collected and pressed by a prior owner of the book.

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