Tree Trail Project 1-6

Tree Descriptions 1-6 (Eagle Scout Project by George Atkinson)

1) Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
The Japanese Maple is a deciduous shrub/tree that can reach heights from 6 to 10 m (20 to 33 ft). The leaves are 4–12 cm (1 1⁄2–4 3⁄4 in) long and wide, and are palmately lobed with five, seven, or nine acutely pointed lobes. The leaves can vary from a vibrant light green to red or dark maroon. This tree is originally from Asia where it was used in oriental gardens because of its beauty, and it is used for a similar purpose today all around the world. Preparations from the branches and leaves are used as treatments in traditional Japanese medicine.

2) Post Oak (Quercus stellata)
The Post Oak is a species of oak found only in North America that belongs to the White Oak Group. It is a slow-growing oak that lives in dry, poor soils, and is resistant to rot, fire, and drought. Most specimens of this tree are small (typically 10–15 m [30–50 ft] tall), but some specimens can grow up to 100ft tall and 4.7 ft in diameter. Because of its resistant properties, this tree is used mainly for railroad ties, siding, planks, construction timbers, stair risers and treads, flooring, pulp, fuel, and fence posts.

3) Crapemytle (Lagerstroemia indica)
The Crapemytle is a genus of around 50 species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs native to most parts of Southeast Asia and Oceania that were cultivated to warmer climates around the world. These flowering trees are beautifully colored and are often planted both privately and commercially as ornamentals because of this. Crapemytles are known largely in part due to their colourful and long-lasting flowers that occur in summer. They can range in height from over 30 m (100 ft) to under 30 cm (1 ft) but most are small to medium multiple-trunked trees and shrubs. The Crapemrytle was first introduced into the US in Charleston, SC around 1790. There are many examples of this plant throughout Tega Cay.

4) Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) is a widespread deciduous tree found in North and South America. It is a medium-sized, fast-growing forest tree that grows to a height of 50-80 feet. The small, white flowers this tree produces contain small reddish-black berries that are edible. It is a moderately long-living tree, and can live up to 235 years old. Unfortunately, the Black Cherry is very prone to storm damage because of its brittle branches. Even though the berries are edible, there is a compound inside them that can be converted into cyanide, similar to the property of almonds.

5) Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)
Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) is a flowering plant native to eastern Asia. It was introduced in Europe 1747, and to America in 1763, and has become a popular landscape tree worldwide. It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree growing to about 23 feet tall with a broad, dome-shaped crown. The flowers on this tree have five petals that are generally 6-16 inches long, along with small clusters of fruit that turn from green to orange as they ripen. The leaves grow in clusters and form a pod shape, which has given the tree the nickname “Chinese Lantern Tree.” The fruit is edible when roasted but is not largely consumed.

6) Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is a slow-growing shrub/tree native to Japan. The tree grows to be 8 feet tall but grows about 15 feet wide. The Magnolia has large white or pink flowers that open before the leaves in early spring. These flowers also produce a large/sectioned fruit that often falls off before it is ripe. The leaf’s buds have an almost hairy outside before they bloom. The roots of the tree grow quite close to the surface, and can be easily damaged.

Tree Descriptions 7 - 12