Tree Trail Project 31-36

Tree Descriptions 31-36 (Eagle Scout Project by George Atkinson) 

31) Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)
The Loblolly Pine is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 110 feet tall, and is native in 15 southeastern states. It is extensively cultivated in forest plantations for pulpwood and lumber. Loblolly will respond well to extra moisture and richer soils, and is one of the faster-growing southern pines. A pioneer species along river bottoms. Often infected with a rust which produces prominent, enlarged areas on twigs, branches and trunks. The Loblolly Pine also suffers damage from pine beetles.

32) Black Oak (Quercus velutina)
The Black Oak is a deciduous tree that can grow between 50 to 60 feet high. Its leaves are shiny, leathery, dark green and turn yellowish-brown to red in the fall. It has terminal buds covered in grey, pubescence and yellowish, green flowers in spring. In addition, it has acorns with saucer-shaped tops that are a big food source for wildlife. This tree provides great shade for lawns, parks, and streets. The Black Oak prefers moist soils but can tolerate dry ones as well.

33) Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)
The Colorado Blue Spruce is a needled evergreen that grows anywhere from 30 to 100 feet high. It can be identified by its stiff 4-sided rectangular-shaped needles that are bluish-green to silver in colour. They are about 1.5 inches long and are arranged in all directions on the stem. This tree prefers cooler climates but can tolerate light shade. It is perfect for landscaping. It is native to the Rocky’s from Montana, Idaho to Mexico.

34) Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron Tulipifera)
The Tulip Poplar is a deciduous tree native to the North American East Coast, and can grow upwards of 100 feet. The Tulip Poplar has alternating pinnately-veined leaves, and turn from a bright green into a clear vibrant yellow in the fall. Generally, this tree will not grow limbs until it reaches heights of above 80 feet, making it a very valuable timber tree. The Tulip Poplar produces dark red flower buds which contain greenish-yellow flowers no bigger than a couple inches.

35) Red Mulberry (Morus rubra)

Native to eastern North America, the Red Mulberry tree can be found in shady wooded areas, as well as along streams and riverbanks. Reaching heights of nearly 65 feet, this deciduous tree attracts wildlife due to its abundance in ornamental fruit. These berries have been used to make beverages, desserts, and even preserves and jellies to add a tartly sweet flavor similar to grapes and blackberries. Interestingly, this tree regularly hosts the larvae of the Mourning Cloak butterfly, which means the caterpillar offspring of the butterflies eat the leaves of the Red Mulberry tree.

36) Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)
The Sourwood is a deciduous tree that can grow to 25-30 feet high and is found in most of the Southern US and in portions of the Northern US. This tree is identifiable by its rigid, grey, scaly bark and its fine-toothed, green, glossy leaves that are 5 to 8 inches long. They taste sour when chewed and turn crimson red in the fall. This tree has lily-like, waxy, white flowers, which are used by bees to make prized honey. Under the right conditions, a Sourwood specimen can live for almost 200 years.

Tree Descriptions 37 - 42