Overcup Oak

Posted on November 15, 2024 by tspuckler

This tree is native to lowland wetlands in the eastern and south-central United States and in all the coastal states from New Jersey to Texas, inland as far as Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois.

Its common name refers to its acorns that are mostly enclosed within the acorn cup. This is a medium to large-sized deciduous tree, growing as tall as 150 feet, with typical height of 80 feet. The trunk averages 30 inches in diameter. It is slow-growing and often takes 25 to 30 years to mature.

Overcup Oak occurs in wet bottomland forests bordering swamps and in valleys with floodplain forests bordering rivers. This tree is adapted to use seasonal floodwaters as a way to float its acorns to new sites for dispersal. The cap that covers each seed is very corky, which causes the acorns to float.

This species is unique among the White Oaks in that their acorns exhibit a prolonged dormancy. Normally, acorns of the various White Oaks germinate in the Fall, not long after they are shed from their parent trees. However, living in areas prone to flooding would make germinating at that time of year a risky endeavor. As such, Overcup Oak acorns lay dormant for months until environmental cues signal that enough time has passed.

The species is known to provide both food and habitat for a range of wildlife. Its acorns can be eaten by small mammals and birds such as squirrels and Wild Turkey. Trees in general create their own small habitats upon their surfaces and with their shade. Countless insects creep around on the bark. Many plants, including wildflowers, can only survive among the leaf litter on a shaded forest floor.

Overcup Oak’s Latin Name Quercus lyrata, and the species name lyrata, means “lyre-shaped” referring to the shape of this tree’s leaves.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

Silky Dogwood

Posted on September 27, 2024 by tspuckler

Silky Dogwood represents a group of shrub dogwoods native to Ohio that have a strongly multi-stemmed growth habit and are always found in nature as a shrub rather than a tree. They are found throughout all of Ohio, and grow to 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide under optimum conditions as a single specimen. At this time of the year their berries are ripe.

This tree prefers moist to wet sites in soils of various composition and pH. It adapts to dry soils, poor soils, or soils that are wet in Winter and Spring, and dry in Summer and Autumn. Silky Dogwood is a host plant for the Spring Azure Butterfly. Its flower have also been found to support several specialist bee species.

The mid-Spring flowers of Silky Dogwood are flat-topped, and white but without the large, showy bracts that are characteristic of Flowering Dogwood. The blooms form in clusters, which are visited by a variety of bee and butterfly pollinators.

The blue-black fruits mature in mid-Summer and are quickly consumed by birds, squirrels, and other woodland mammals. More than 45 types of songbirds and game birds have been documented consuming Silky Dogwood’s berries. Indeed, at Beaver Marsh in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the berries seem to be disappearing quickly.

Silky Dogwood has simple, opposite leaves that turn a brownish-red color in the Fall. Because of its preference for wetter areas, Silky Dogwood is sometimes referred to as Swamp Dogwood.

As with most of the “shrub dogwoods” that occur in the fields, forest edges, stream borders, and fencerows of the eastern United States, the growth habit is usually an upright, dense shrub in youth, which becomes a spreading, sprawling, open and loose collection of mature branches and vigorous suckers with age.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

Cucumber Magnolia

Posted on July 19, 2024 by tspuckler

It hard to miss this fine tree that produces 2 to 4 inch slightly-fragrant, greenish-yellow, tulip-like flowers at the twig tips in late Spring. Handsome at close range, they are borne so high on the tree that they are sometimes missed.

Cucumber Magnolia a large forest tree of the Eastern United States and Southern Ontario in Canada that tends to occur singly as scattered specimens, rather than in groves.

Its flower buds and flowers are edible and may have provided a minor food source to First Nations and white settlers.

This tree’s bark is smooth and pale gray on a young tree, becoming brown, deeply furrowed, and ridged on mature trees. One of the fastest-growing Magnolias, Cucumber Magnolia is pyramidal when young but becomes broad, oval or rounded with age, ultimately it can reach 60 to 80 feet in height with a spread of 35 to 60 feet.

Cucumber Magnolia is named for the green, warty, cucumber-shaped fruits that follow the flowers, which turn from green to red and then open to reveal small red seeds in late Summer. This fruit becomes forage for Towhees, other ground-feeding birds and small mammals.

Its foliage of huge, ovate, deep green leaves, up to 10 inches long, has nice yellow-gold Fall color.

These trees cast dense shade, and are beautifully symmetrical making them a park, residential and golf course tree of preference.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

Monterey Pine

Posted on June 7, 2024 by tspuckler

While looking for reptiles and amphibians in the Golden State, I came across a small stand of these fine trees. This stately pine starts as an upright tree with a pyramidal shape; with age, it will develop a broad rounded crown that flattens at the top. When growing on a windy site with ocean influence, it develops a picturesque spreading growth habit that is asymmetrical and often with multiple trunks.

Under ideal conditions, it can grow to a height of over 100 feet with a branch spread of over 60 feet and a trunk diameter of over 4 feet. Again, under ideal conditions – and if it escapes a lethal attack from insects and diseases – it can live up to 150 years; however, its normal life span here is relatively short for a conifer, only 80 to 100 years.

Its needles are one of its most distinguishing features. The needles (3- to 6-inches long) occur at the ends of branches in dense clusters of 3 needles per cluster. These clusters persist on the tree for up to 3 years, before turning brown and dropping off. The needles also have a distinctive fresh fragrance when brushed or crushed.

This pine is adapted to cope with stand-killing fire disturbances. Its cones are serotinous, that is, they remain closed until opened by the heat of a forest fire; the abundant seeds are then discharged to regenerate on the burned forest floor. The cones may also burst open in hot weather.

The bark is thick and rather rough, with deep vertical fissures. It is a light gray brown when young; as it ages, it turns dark gray to black, with reddish brown within the fissures.

Although Monterey Pine is extensively cultivated around the world for lumber, the version of the tree used in the lumber industry is vastly different from the native tree. In its natural state, Monterey Pine is a rare and endangered tree; it is twisted, knotty and full of sap/resin and not suitable for lumber.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

White Spruce

Posted on February 9, 2024 by tspuckler

While visiting Indiana I came across this tree which I have never encountered before. Its seed cone is longer than wide, with woody scales attached at the base. White Spruce has the smallest cones of any of the spruces. They are typically 1 to 2 inches long, cylindrical and pendulous, often clustered near the top of the tree.

White Spruce hails from northern climes and is one of the first tree species to colonize after glaciers recede. This evergreen usually grows to heights of 50 to 100 feet. This species is the northernmost tree species in North America, reaching just north of 69°N latitude in Canada’s Mackenzie River delta.

The pale green, pointed evergreen needles are 1/2 to 3/4 inch long. They are four-sided, often crowded on the upper surface of the stem. The aromatic needles can persist for three to four years before dropping. Scientifically known as Picea glauca, the waxy coating on its needles gives them a blue-green (glaucous) appearance, hence the Latin species name.

This tree adapts to a surprising variety of environments and climates. It prefers moist, well-drained alluvial soil, but grows on a wide diversity of sites. White Spruce is rarely found in pure stands.

White Spruce is the most commercially important timber species in the far north woods. Almost white, its wood is soft, light-weight, and moderately strong with a straight grain. It is used for wood fiber, house logs, and musical instruments.

Its bark is thin and scaly, flaking off in small circular plates 2 to 4 inches across. This tree was an important fuel source for early colonists and Native Americans of the north woods. In addition to human use, this tree provides cover for Moose, Martens and Lynx.

White Spruce has been the most popular selection for the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree, being used 13 times (as of 2020) since the tradition began in 1964.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

European Black Pine

Posted on December 15, 2023 by tspuckler

While exploring a sand prairie in Missouri, I came across a couple examples of this tree. European Black Pine (also called Austrian Pine) was one of the early tree introductions into the United States, first reported in cultivation in 1759. Today, it is one of the most common introduced ornamentals in the United States.

This is a large coniferous evergreen tree, growing to 65–180 feet high at maturity and spreading 20 to 40 feet wide. The bark is gray to yellow-brown, and is widely split by flaking fissures into scaly plates, becoming increasingly fissured with age.

At maturity, its brown cones are about three inches long, and have small prickles on the backside of their scales. They spread their scales to release their seeds, and remain on the tree for up to several years.

European Black Pine is a tree of the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome. The majority of its range is in Turkey. It needs full sun to grow well, is intolerant of shade, and is resistant to snow and ice damage.

In the United States and Canada, it is planted as a street tree, and as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks. Its value as a street tree is largely due to its resistance to salt spray (from road de-icing salt) and various industrial pollutants.

During the late 1950s and early 1960s, when demand for natural trees was extremely high, its rapid growth, deep green color and low cost made it briefly a popular Christmas tree, but the extreme length of the needles (making it very difficult to decorate) soon led to its fall from favor.

Although not native, this tree has a long and interesting history in the United States.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

American Persimmon

Posted on October 20, 2023 by tspuckler

While visiting southern Illinois this month, I encountered this fine tree and tasted its fruit, which happened to be in season.

American Persimmon is native to most of the eastern half of the United States. It grows in full sun and a wide variety of soils. The dark green leaves are your stereotypical “leaf shape,” so aren’t much help by themselves for identifying the tree. It grows wild, but has been cultivated for its fruit and wood since prehistoric times by Native Americans.

This tree can be 60 feet tall, but normally it doesn’t reach more than 20 feet. The trunk and branches are thin with grey-brown bark that is said to resemble reptile scales. The principal uses of the wood are for golf-club heads, shuttles for textile weaving, and furniture veneer.

American Persimmon is dioecious, which means some trees only produce male flowers and some trees only produce female flowers. The fruit is round, usually orange-yellow, and about two inches in diameter. Both the tree and the fruit are referred to as Persimmons, with the latter appearing in desserts and other cuisine.

During the spring, the flowers provide a rich source of nectar for Honeybees, Bumblebees, Small Carpenter Bees, Digger Bees, Mason Bees, Leaf-cutting Bees and Cuckoo Bees. Raccoons, Foxes, Black Bears, Skunks, Turkeys, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Cedar Waxwings, Catbirds, American Robins, Pileated Woodpeckers and Mockingbirds eat Persimmon fruit. The fruit is high in vitamin C, and extremely astringent when unripe.

Known scientifically as Diospyros virginiana, Diospyros means “divine fruit” in Greek.

American Persimmon is also known as Common Persimmon, Eastern Persimmon, Simmon, Possumwood, Possum Apples, and Sugar Plum.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

Slippery Elm

Posted on September 1, 2023 by tspuckler

Slippery Elm is named after its slick, mucilaginous inner bark, which was chewed by the Native Americans and pioneers to quench thirst when water was not readily available.

This tree may reach 60 feet tall by 50 feet wide, when found in the open. It grows best and on moist, rich soils of lower slopes and flood plains, although it may also grow on dry hillsides with limestone soils.

In Spring, Slippery Elm is one of the first trees to come into flower, its wind-pollinated flowers are produced before its leaves, usually in tight, short-stalked clusters of 10–20.

Slippery Elm’s flowers soon develop into rounded samaras. The reddish-brown fruit is slightly notched at the top and the single, central seed is coated with red-brown hairs.

The inner bark of this tree is used for a number of herbal preparations, many of which relieve throat and digestive issues. The light, fluffy bark is commonly used as a binder for making herbal pills.

For me, the thing about this tree that is most unexpected is the leaves, which are broadly elliptical and are sandpapery rough on both the upper and lower surfaces.

This tree’s other common names include Red Elm (in reference to its reddish brown heartwood), Gray Elm, Soft Elm, Moose Elm and Indian Elm.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

Red Alder

Posted on June 2, 2023 by tspuckler

While looking for snakes in California, I wandered into this stand of trees. Red Alder is the largest species of alder in North America and one of the largest in the world, reaching heights of 65 to 100 feet.

This tree is most often found in moist woods and along streambanks. It quickly colonizes recently cleared land. Although many consider Red Alder a “weed” tree because it will often invade landscapes, this species is the first choice for ecological restoration.

Red Alder is a host to nitrogen-fixing bacteria that form nodules on its roots. Because of this association, the introduction of Red Alder to disturbed sites can quickly improve the fertility of soils, making the site more amenable to the colonization by longer-living conifers. The bark of this tree is mottled, ashy-gray and smooth, often covered by white lichens and moss. Its common name derives from the bright rusty red color that develops in bruised or scraped bark.

Red Alder’s leaves are ovate, 3 to 6 inches long, with bluntly serrated edges and a distinct point at the end; the leaf edges tend to be slightly curled under, a diagnostic characteristic which distinguishes it from all other alders.

Long catkins appear in Spring, before the leaves, producing copious amounts of pollen. Later it produces small brown cone-like strobiles less than an inch long that remain on the tree through the Winter.

Because of its oily smoke, Red Alder is the wood of choice for smoking salmon.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

Pitch Pine

Posted on January 1, 2021 by tspuckler

This interesting tree is found in environments which other species find unsuitable for growth, such as acidic, sandy and low nutrient soils. It is known as a “pioneer species,” since it is often the first tree to vegetate an area after it has been cleared away.

Pitch Pine has an exceptionally high regenerative ability; if the main trunk is cut or damaged by fire, it can re-sprout using epicormic shoots.

This is a rapid-growing tree when young, gaining around one foot of height per year under optimal conditions until the tree is 50 – 60 years old, whereupon growth slows.

Pitch Pine trunks are usually mostly straight with a slight curve to them. They are covered in irregular, thick, large plates of bark. Its globular form of twisting, gnarled, drooping branches does a poor job at self-pruning.

This is one of the most fire resilient eastern conifers. Its adaptations allow for survival in a high frequency fire area such as the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.

High resin content in this species produced the name “Pitch Pine.” Early American settlers would often ignite pine knots for torches. Because of its high resin content, its decay-resistant wood was once popular for ship building, mine props, railroad ties and fencing.

Today Pitch Pine Pitch is an important food source for wildlife. Sprouts and seedlings serve as browse for White-tail Deer, Cottontail Rabbits and Meadow Mice. Its seeds are eaten by Red Squirrels and a wide range of birds.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

Tim Spuckler's Blog

Reptile Ramblings and More

Category Archives: Trees

Overcup Oak

Silky Dogwood

Cucumber Magnolia

Monterey Pine

White Spruce

European Black Pine

American Persimmon

Slippery Elm

Red Alder

Pitch Pine