Tree Trail Project 13-18

Tree Descriptions 13-18 (Eagle Scout Project by George Atkinson)

13) Thornless Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis)
The Thornless Honeylocust is a deciduous tree that can grow from 30-70 ft tall in height when mature. It has green leaves in the summer, but in the winter and fall months, they are a light shade of yellow. It is found mostly in Pennsylvania, down the east coast, and westward to Mississippi and Texas. Its wood is primarily used by woodworking enthusiasts, as it is not tall enough to support a timber industry. The seed pods it produces contain a sweet, gummy substance.

14) Doublefile Viburnum (Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum)
The Doublefile Viburnum, originally native to China and Japan, is a deciduous shrub and grows to about 8-12 ft. high. Its leaves are dark green in the summer, and turn a reddish-purple in the fall, and produce clusters of white flowers in the spring. They are native to the entirety of the United States and flourish in abundant rainfall and sunlight.

15) Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
The Downy Serviceberry is a shrub/bush that grows between 15-25 feet high, but can reach heights of about 40 feet. The downy serviceberry is native to eastern North America. Serviceberries are adaptable to a variety of sites and soils. Growth is best in full sun to light shade and moist, well-drained, acid soils. Transplant balled and burlapped or container grown plants into moist, well-drained, acidic soil. Plants can be propagated by sowing seed that have undergone cold stratification (stored 90 to 120 days at 41 degrees Fahrenheit).

16) Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
The Flowering Dogwood is a deciduous tree that can grow to 20-40 feet that is native to eastern North America. During the Civil War dogwood bark was used as a substitute for quinine, a common treatment for malaria and babesiosis. The dogwood’s nectar and flowers attract birds and butterflies. It was introduced into Europe from Virginia by the early colonists, and has a natural range from Florida to Massachusetts, including Texas and Mexico.

17) Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
The Japanese Cedar is an evergreen tree that can grow to 100 feet tall (under the correct conditions), and is the national tree of Japan. The timber is extremely fragrant, weather and insect resistant, soft, and has a low density. The timber is used for making staves, tubs, casks, furniture and other indoor applications. Easy to saw and season, it is favoured for light construction, boxes, veneers and plywood. Wood that has been buried turns dark green and is quite valuable. Resin from the tree contains cryptopimaric and phenolic acid.

18) Nuttall Oak (Quercus nuttallii)
The Nuttall Oak is a large and sturdy deciduous tree, and is commonly known for its clusters of acorns. This tree can be found from Alabama to Texas/Oklahoma, and even up north in Missouri and illinois. It is commonly used for squirrel food, and has a wide grey trunk with medium-sized green leaves that turn a variety of colors in the fall. Typically, the Nuttall Oak grows about 40-60 feet tall, but under the right conditions this tree can grow upwards of 80 feet tall.

Tree Descriptions 19 - 24