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American Chestnut American Beech Big-toothed Aspen Black Cherry Black Walnut Common Elderberry Dogwood Eastern Hemlock Musclewood Quaking Aspen Red Maple Staghorn Sumac Striped Maple Sugar Maple White Ash Willow Witch Hazel. Indian pipe Teaberry Sensitive Fern Christmas fern
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American Chestnut American Beech Big-toothed Aspen Black Cherry Black Walnut Common Elderberry Dogwood Eastern Hemlock Musclewood Quaking Aspen Red Maple Staghorn Sumac Striped Maple Sugar Maple White Ash Willow Witch Hazel Indian pipe Teaberry Sensitive Fern Christmas fern Hay-scented Fern New England Aster Common Milkweed Goldenrod Jerusalem Artichoke Shining & Fan Clubmoss Jewel weed Princess Pine Staghorn Clubmoss Follow the Hyperlink for each species to photographs and information. You are only responsible for those covered in your lab.
American beech has smooth gray bark that is elastic and continues to grow with the tree. The leaves are simple with each major leaf vein terminating in a tooth at the leaf margin. Winter buds are cigar-shaped.
Big-toothed Aspen (Populus grandidentata) is a common early succession tree throughout New England, Great Lakes States, and southern Ontario and Quebec. It is similar in appearance and ecology to quaking aspen but the leaves are larger. Leaf teeth are large and rounded on big-tooth aspen and the bark is darker in comparison with quaking aspen. Both species proliferate in disturbed sites especially those following fire. The wood of aspens is very soft. Beaver frequently use the wood of both species to construct their damns and lodges. Like cottonwood, the wood is rich in cellulose, but low in tannins and lignins. These characteristics allow aspens to be investigated for cellulosic biofuel and used as a supplement in livestock feed.
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) is the most widespread cherry in North America. It is found in every state east of the Great Plains and southern Ontario. Black cherry has a number of unique features making the species easy to identify. The bark of mature black cherry is dark and sheathes in potato chip-size plates. Hence many describe the bark as “burnt-potato-chips.” The underside of leave possess dense trichomes along the mid-rib that gradually mature to a beautiful tan color late in the summer. The trichomes often become deciduous late in the season making this trait difficult to use on fall foliage. The young twigs have a strong bitter-almond odor. This odor is indicative of a cherry possessing prunasin, a cyanogenic glucoside. As mammals or insects nibble the leaf tissue, cyanide is cleaved from a sugar making the leaves toxic to most herbivores. Some species of tent caterpillars are undeterred by the cyanide in black cherry.
Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis) is a short-lived (<200 years) hickory native to moist woods and bottomlands throughout New York except the Adirondacks. This species reaches its peak in growth and nut production early in life (<125 years). Like most hickories, bitternut produces a dense strong hardwood with high energy content. The wood has been used for furniture, flooring and tool handles. The wood is also used for charcoal and to smoke cure meats. Although the nuts of bitternut may benefit wildlife, they are too bitter and inedible for humans. Bitternut is easily identified by several twig and leaf traits. It is the only hickory with seven or more leaflets and the terminal leaflet is roughly the same size and shape as the sub-terminal leaflets. Lower leaf surfaces are pale and may be dotted with hairs and glands. Terminal buds are covered by two buttery-yellow scales.
Common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a large shrub along moist road banks and fields throughout the northeast. Elderberry is best known for its small, dark purple fruits that bear an unusually interesting taste. Elderberry is used in pies, jams, Sambuca, as well as elderberry wine and provides the flavor to the liquer of the same name. All plant parts are reported to contain hydrocyanic acid. Cyanide poisoning may occur by ingesting leaves, stems, and fruits. The CDC reported a case of accidental poisoning following the ingestion of fresh elderberry juice in California. In general, it is best to avoid fresh elderberries and eat only those that have been cooked thoroughly. Cooking appears to hydrolyze and vaporize the toxin.
Dogwoods (Cornus). These beautiful small trees are shrubs easily identified by opposite, round, leaves with leaf veins that gently arch toward the leaf tip as they approach the margin. The one exception to this rule is the alternate-leaved dogwood (Cornus alternifolia). White flowers are small with four petals, sepals, and stamens. The small button-shaped inflorescence of flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is bordered for large showy bracts. Other native dogwood species lack the petaloid bracts with the exception of the ground dwelling bunch berry (Cornus canadensis). Recent studies of bunchberry flowers have revealed that insects trigger an explosive opening of flowers and simultaneous catapulting of pollen grains onto insects (Edwards, Whitaker, Klionsky, Laskowski. 2005. A record-breaking pollen catapult. Nature 435:164). Fruits are patriotically colored (red, white, or blue) berries that provide valuable food for migrating fall birds. Dogwood fruits are not intended for human consumption and taste rather bland or bitter. Some references state that Cornus florida berries are poisonous. Given the lack of flavor and occasional reports of stomach aches, these fruits are best left alone.
Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is a long-lived forest tree native to the Great Lakes States, New England, and the southern Appalachian mountains. Hemlock is unusual among conifers in that it is tolerant of shade as a seedling. Hemlock seeds are sensitive to dessication. Seeds tend to germinate along moist, moss-covered nurse logs in the forest, but rarely upon humus covered soil. As the young tree grows and the nurse log rots away, elevated prop roots become evident. This pattern of germination, growth and establishment is similar to that observed in yellow birch. Eastern hemlock was formerly an outstanding natural source of tannins for the leather industry. The urban use of eastern hemlock as a tree is becoming more widespread. It can be nicely sheared into dense hedges or allowed to grow as a specimen tree. The dense foliage provides suitable habitat and winter cover to many birds and mammals. A major threat to natural stands of hemlock is the wooly adelgid. This aphid-like insect was introduced to North America from Asia in the 1920’s. Without natural predators, the unchecked foraging of the adelgid on hemlock causes defoliation. After a few years a stand of hemlocks die forming a ghastly graveyard.
Musclewood (Carpinus caroliniana) is a slow-growing under story tree in moist near climax woods of eastern North America. Musclewood is found in all areas of New York with the exception of the Adirondacks. The tree is most easily identified, and name remembered, by its bark which is smooth gray and rippled much like a weight-lifters forearm. The small, nut-like fruits are partially enclosed by a green, leaf-like bract. The double-toothed leaves of Musclewood are remarkably similar to Yellow Birch and Hop Hornbeam. The alternate name of Hornbeam is derived from horn which means tough and beam (sensu baum) which means tree. As implied, the wood of hornbeam is very tough, durable, and dense. It has received limited use in tool handles, but its slow growth and small stature limit commercial interests in Musclewood products.
Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) is a tree of enormous success in North America. Quaking aspen is widespread across Canada, Alaska, Great Lakes region, and in the central Rocky Mountain Region. Quaking aspen is best known for its leaves that twist on a flattened petiole in gentle breeze to produce a rustling sound. Quaking aspen is considered an aggressive pioneer tree species in New England. It grows and colonizes disturbed soils quickly. However, quaking aspen seeds and seedlings are shade intolerant. Shade tolerant hardwood species eventually replace quaking aspen as the forest matures. Quaking aspen spreads prolifically by horizontal underground roots that send up numerous vegetative shoots. This growth pattern forms large clones of the same genetic individual that extend over several acres. The largest clone of quaking aspen is a male known as Pando in Utah. Pando’s size is estimated at 47,000 stems scattered across 43 hectares. Genetic fingerprint has confirmed that Pando is a single individual likely interconnected by a single root network. Pando’s age is estimated at 80,000 years. Quaking aspen provides brilliant fall color (yellow) to western montane forests that otherwise have very little color. The low flammability of aspen wood has made it an ideal natural firebreak between highly flammable coniferous woods in the west. The wood of aspen may be used in a variety of wood products that include wooden match sticks. Aspen wood has been used in sauna and playground construction as the wood is unlikely to splinter and impregnate tender skin.
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) is found in nearly every forest type in the eastern deciduous forest from Florida to Canada. This maple is typically a subclimax species in mesic forests, but is also likely in swamps and upland dry slopes. Although red maple seedlings are somewhat shade tolerant, red maple populations appear to flourish following large scale disturbance (e.g., blow downs) in forests. Furthermore, red maple is a prolific stump-sprouter following timber harvest. It is also good for deer as they prefer to nibble on young twigs of this species. Watch outbreaks of forest tent caterpillars in the northern summers as red maple can be easily spotted as the only tree not eaten by these prolific generalists. In addition to providing deer browse, the sap of red maple is suitable for maple syrup production early in the spring. In my view, the fall blaze of red maple color is unmatched by any other eastern trees including its cousin, sugar maple. Recently, a silver maple x red maple hybrid, cultivar Autumn Blaze, was named the 2003 Urban Tree of the Year by the Society of Municipal Arborists. This unique tree combines many quality features of an electrifying autumn color, rapid growth, disease/insect resistance, and adaptability to different cultural conditions. Red maple leaf (right) with V-shaped sinuses and sugar maple (left) with U-shaped sinuses.
Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is a large shrub found throughout New York State. The twigs of staghorn sumac are stout, with a dense turf of trichomes. The leaf petioles cover and hide the lateral buds. Twigs bleeds a milky sap when scratched. Staghorn sumac is an early successional species and often occupies the borders between fields and forests and is abundant along road ways. Staghorn sumac spreads laterally by way of underground roots. Staghorn sumac is dioecious with different plants producing large terminal clusters of either male or female flowers. Female flowered plants mature large reddish fruits with a fuzzy exocarp. These bristles are sour tasting and can be boiled to produce a sour, lemon-like tea. The fruits produce few carbohydrates and lipids and therefore remain on the shrub through the winter. Early spring migrant birds, such as red-winged blackbirds, common grackles, and American crows often flock to the shrubs’ fruits at a time when little else is available to eat. Although staghorn sumac has limited commercial value, it does provide brilliant fall color along roadways. The wide, yellow pith can be extracted and used as a natural dye for cotton and wool.
Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum) has large goosefoot-shaped leaves and green and white-striped bark. Less conspicuous is the interesting sex expression of trees. The majority of striped maples in the forest produce either male (staminate) or female (pistillate) flowers, but not both, a condition called dioecy. A small percentage of striped maples are monoecious and produce separate male and female flowers on the same tree. To further complicate understanding sex expression in striped maple, some trees change their sex expression between seasons. Nevertheless, female flowers produce the winged samaras typical of maples. The fall samaras provide energy rich for wildlife as well. Striped maple twigs and bark are valuable forage for rabbits, porcupine, deer, and moose in northern regions. In the Adirondacks of NY, it is common to see the decorative wood of striped maple in picture frames, crafts, and wood products.
White Ash (Fraxinus americana), until recently, was the preferred wood for baseball bats. Major leaguers now prefer bats made of maple which seems to provide a bigger “sweet spot” and impart more energy to the ball. White ash is viewed as a pioneer species in eastern forests. Even though white ash saplings are partially shade tolerant and common in young forests, these youngsters will never reach adulthood. Their presence in canopy and seed bed of forests serves as a strong indicator for a transitional secondary forest. An interesting genetic distribution has resulted in the post-glacial migration of white ash out of southern refugia. The species exists as diploids (2N = 46), tetraploids (2N = 96), and hexaploids (2N = 138). Diploids are common throughout the forests, but tetraploids are found largely below the 35ºN latitude (Tennessee and North Carolina), while hexaploids are most common between 35º-40ºN latitude (south of New York State). White ash is another very common tree species whose dominance is threatened by an exotic invasive insect. The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) is believed to have been introduced to Michigan via infected ash crates in recent decades. The insect is now spreading eastward and will become a common problem in the next decade in New York State.
Willows (Salix) are composed of many similar species throughout northern United States and Canada. Although they are typically associated with wetlands, the dwarf willow (Salix uva-ursi) is found in the alpine region of Adirondack high peaks. Willow species have diverse leaf shapes and many species are capable of hybridization. Together, these features make willow one of the more difficult groups to identify to species. Willows are important wetland shrubs. They prevent soil erosion and provide browse and cover for wildlife. The twigs of willow break easily and often root when falling in contact with the soil Native Americans were well aware of the natural medicinal properties of willow long before salicyclic acid was extracted from the bark as the active ingredient in aspirin. The wood is lightweight and weak. Large willows break easily under the weight of heavy snow and ice in the winter. Willow wood is used for palates, crates, and boxes, and was once the preferred material for constructing artificial limbs. The largest New York Weeping Willow has grown to a height of 77 feet and a circumference at breast height of 300 inches. This tree is located in Monroe County. The largest North American Weeping Willow is located in Detroit, MI and has a height of 117 feet with a circumference at breast height of 309 inches. The National Big Tree Registry estimates this tree provides $4,218.52 of storm water services and removes 23.88 lbs of nitrogen, sulfur, and ozone per year from the atmosphere.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a large woodland shrub bearing fragrant yellow flowers in September and October. The flowers mature into hard two-chambered capsules with four shiny, black seeds. The ballistic nature of capsule splitting and seed dispersal can heard by placing several capsules in metal coffee cans. Forcible ejection of the hard seeds produces small “pings” as the seeds collide with the metal. Holding the forked branches (i.e., divining stick) of witch hazel in your hands reportedly helps you find groundwater when the pointing branch bends downward. In New York State this methods works nearly 100% of the time as much of the land possesses subterranean aquifers left by the Wisconsin glacier several millennia ago. The aromatic bark and twigs can be boiled or distilled to produce an astringent for body sores and bruises. Astringent of Witch hazel can still be purchased in most modern pharmacies. The largest New York witch hazel has grown to a height of 27 feet and a diameter at breast height of 33 inches. This tree is located in Monroe County. The largest North American witch hazel is located in Bedford Virginia and has a height of 35 feet with a diameter at breast height of 52 inches.
Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) • Indian pipe is a flowering plant that makes its only appearance each August. The plant interacts with mycorrhizal fungi that shuffle carbohydrates from trees towards Indian Pipe. In essence, this plant is a parasite that has learned to work the ecosystem to its benefit.
Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens) • The wintergreen flavor of these evergreen leaves has provided a popular gum with its name. Teaberry is a small ground cover with shiny oval leaves.
Sensitive Fern (Onclea sensibilis) has dimorphic fronds. The fertile frond has small beads of sporangia along a rattle-like frond. Sensitive fern is common in moist forested areas. Sterile fronds are sensitive to frost and senesce early in the autumn.
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is a common evergreen fern in our forest. The fronds are once-cut . Fertile and sterile fronds are similar, although the fertile portion will be terminal on the frond. Christmas fern grows as a tight clump. Individual frond segments or pinnae are shaped like stockings.
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) • A member of the aster family. This is one of the largest families of flowering plants. Other members include dandelion, sunflower, marigold, artichoke, lettuce, goldenrod, and chicory. • New England aster is a member of old field communities. The brighter, large purple flowers distinguish it from other asters.
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) • Milkweeds have opposite leaves and laticifers that bleed a milky latex when cut. • Milkweeds are the sole food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars. The toxins in the latex are incorporated into the exoskeleton of monarchs for chemical protection from predators.
Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) • Goldenrods are old field plants that are insect pollinated. Although they are often credited with fall allergies, this is untrue. The colorful flowers attract insects and attach sticky pollen onto their exoskeleton. Wind-pollinated plants, such as ragweed, have small inconspicuous flowers with dry, wind-dispersed pollen. • Chemicals from goldenrod stems inhibit the growth and seed germination of other plants near by. This form of chemical warfare is called allelopathy. • Look for ball, elliptical, and rosette galls that are caused by different insects on goldenrod.
Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosa) • Member of the aster family. This particular species of sunflower is grown for an edible underground tuber. This tuber contains an indigestable carbohydrate called inulin.
Fan Clubmoss Diphasiastrum digitatum Shining Clubmoss—Huperzia lucidula
Jewelweed or Spotted Touch-me-notImpatiens capensis • Jewelweed is named by the reflective action of the minute leaf trichomes when the leaf is submerged underwater. The hairs trap air and then the underwater bubble surrounding the leaf gains a silvery sheen. Water will also readily bead on leaf surfaces and glisten like jewels. Although the cool sap of the succulent stems feels good on sunburn, rashes, and nettle stings, recent studies have shown that jewelweed does not reduce the severity of any forms of dermatitis. • Jewelweed is a relative of the garden Impatiens and is named for the explosive impatience of the fruits. The “phytoballistic” nature of the fruits casts seeds great distances from the plants.
Princess Pine Dendrolycopodium obscurum Staghorn Clubmoss Lycopodium clavatum
