Part 1

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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