Spot a sassafras tree by its alternately arranged, simple leaves that are lobed or notched and are as wide as they are long. The Cottonwood tree bark is grayish-white. (Click thumbnail to see map.). The shapes and sizes of leaves, or colors and arrangements of flowers, are plant features people often use to identify trees and shrubs, but woody plants can also be identified upon close examination of their bark. Now get out those snowshoes and see how many maples you can find! We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). January 2013. Its slender branches and stout branchlets form a wide-spreading, dense, often irregular, rounded, flat-topped crown; dead lower branches are usually not persistent on its lower trunk. Quaking Aspen's autumn leaves turn yellow to greenish yellow or golden brown. The American Beech is a large tree, 115 feet (35 m) high. They are a short-lived species of birch native to the northern regions of North America. It's fruit is a familiar find in Cincinnati in autumn, feeding many forms of wildlife. Pocket Field Guides One of the best, pocket-sized tree identification manuals. Check out the Sustainable Parks, Recreation & Tourism B.S. It typically grows in mixed forests and sandy plains. Young Red Maple tree bark is rather thin and smooth, with varying colors, greenish-gray to gray. They are normally twisted. The acorns on a red oak have a saucer-shaped cup, which is the top of the acorn. Ironwood Tree Identification The identifiable features of the ironwood tree are its light green, pointed, lance-shaped leaves with doubly-serrated margins, dangling copper-brown colored hop-like fruits, and light to dark brown shaggy, narrow strips of bark. 1998 Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). We have these species in our neighborhood and backyard in Illinois. Classes & Workshops; They are among the most colorful trees in autumn, matching the colorful maples. Paper birch can be seen in sandy, well drained areas such as river sides, urban areas, and road sides. "/> yh ht. What is it? Its leaves alternate on the stem. Oak trees are a group of hardwood trees categorized into two families, both possessing large leaves measuring 5 to 9 inches (12 to 22 cm) long. The only problem with this method is that the appearance of buds and/or fruit can be short-lived, and certain trees don't produce fruit every year. Mature trees possess dark gray to almost black bark with a unique rough texture exhibiting turned-up checkered-like flakes; young trees are grayish brown with intermittent horizontal lines. Identify the elm, basswood and hackberry trees by their simple, alternate leaves that arent lobed or notched and have uneven sections on either side of the midrib or center leaf vein. The smoothness of the bark presents a tempting surface for carving initials and names, but besides marring its natural beauty, doing so is an invitation for fungi and wood-loving insect damage. Bark is pale to greenish-gray and mostly smooth, though some varieties are indented with diamond-shaped lenticels that merge into vertical grooves with age. The larvae are grub or worm-like and live underneath the bark of ash trees.Trees are killed when larvae tunnel under the tree's bark.EAB was first discovered in the United States in 2002 near Detroit, Michigan. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below. Identification. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below. The entire base of the leaves is coarsely toothed with 20-25 rounded teeth per side. Forms a broad, rounded crown of a few large and wide-spreading limbs and slender branches with dense foliage; dead branches are usually not persistent on the lower trunk. The trunk is sometimes crooked. The easy way to identify a pine from any other conifer, such as spruce and hemlock, is by the needles. Fruits and Buds: Yet another way to cross-reference when a particular tree's identity is in question. My love for animals and being raised on a dairy farm is where it all began. The surface of bark can be smooth, have deep ridges, or be an interesting mix of different textures. Look for ski trails that run up and down the trunk of the tree. Learn to identify Michigan trees with this handy field guide, organized by leaf type and attachment. If the leaf margins, or edges, are finely or coarsely toothed, the leaves belong to a cottonwood, aspen or Balsam poplar tree. There are over 60 species of this tree that grow in the United States. Identify maple trees by their oppositely arranged and simple leaves, meaning that the leaves grow individually from each stem and are not composed of smaller leaflets. The Quaking Aspen is another fast-growing species in the poplar family native to the cooler regions of North America (click on thumbnail to see map) and one of several species referred to by the common name, aspen. The bark of young Sycamore trees is usually smooth and silvery-grey but sometimes brown. The trunk is often free of branches for half its length in forest stands. Michigan boasts around 100 tree species, depending upon how a tree is defined. Some characteristics are seasonal, such as leaves, fruits, and flowers. Red oaks are named for their fall-colored leaves, which stay on their trees longer than most otherssometimes throughout the entire winter season. The leaves are a bright green on the upper side and a silvery-green on the underside. If the leaves are simple, opposite, oval-shaped and small or medium-sized, they belong to a dogwood tree. 1998 Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), Maple: Norway, red, silver, striped, sugar, Oak: black, bur, northern red, northern pin, swamp white, white, Spruce: black, Colorado blue, Norway, white. While doing that, its a good time to observe other key features, such as bark patterns and buds. Over 100 kinds of trees are native. Its not a pine! Although this guide was written and designed for upper elementary audiences, it will help anyone with an interest in tree identification become better acquainted with some of the most important trees in the state. The oldest trees exhibit flake-like plates that are difficult to peel off, while younger trees possess fairly smooth bark. Click the box above to see all species, or click the species group below. My most favorite tree in Michigan is the Paper Birch with its peeling white barks and brilliant golden foliage in the fall. They are egg-shaped with a pointed end, green in colour and the tips of the bud . Wm_Keith_Farquhar. The bark of a white oak is light gray in color. It is the state tree of Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Thank you for sharing the lovely photos and all the details about the trees, Kathi. Read more on Beech trees here from the Michigan DNR, More on the Hemlock here from Michigan DNR, More on the White Pine here from the Michigan DNR, More on Paper Birch trees from the Michigan DNR, Check out more on White Oak trees here from the Michigan DNR. White pine trees have five long needles in a bundle, while red and jack pines have two needles in each bundle. And of course, its difficult to fully appreciate the amazing natural resources of Michigan without considering forests. This is a large tree, up to 100 feet (30 m) high. This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. It can also be found along the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. It typically is scaly or has thick ridges but can be quite variable between trees. You can see this type of bark on the Red Alder in the Pacific Norwest and on the White birch in the Northeast. Go to Learn about Michigan's species Learn about Michigan's diverse range of fish, plants, trees, reptiles, amphibians, insects and mammals. To confirm identifications, look at a tree's bark, flowers, fruit and branching habits. Largetooth aspen. Flashcards. Medium-size examples grow up to 70 feet (21 m). You can find northern red oak in forests and backyards throughout Michigan. Identify the elm, basswood and hackberry trees by their simple, alternate leaves that arent lobed or notched and have uneven sections on either side of the midrib or center leaf vein. The cap has tight overlapping shingles. Below, you will find information to help you identify these thirteen different trees that put on great shows of color during autumn in Michigan. The trunk can be straight or crooked, supporting an open, rounded crown of slender branches; slender trunk with little taper, smooth and branchless for much of its length. Fast growing, the Eastern Cottonwood is a large tree up to 100 feet (30 m) high. To identify the white and black spruce trees, look for Michigan conifers with singular needles that don't grow in bundles and have four sides to each needle. and nearby regions, the U.P. Hunting and Fishing; Even though they are native to the Central and Eastern regions of the United States, you're more likely to see Silver Maples along city streets, in parks, and in suburban yards. . You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Quaking Aspens derive their name due to the leaf stem being flat and structured at an angle, making them tremble, shimmer and quake at the slightest of breeze. Many people refer to all conifers as pines when, actually, most conifers are not pines, especially in the U.P. Twigs smell somewhat bad when crushed. They collectively contribute to many benefits: habitat for various types of wildlife, filter systems for air and water quality, places for recreation opportunities, and all kinds of wood products we use every day. Most of our conifers carry needles year-round. It is a large tree, commonly growing to more than 75 feet, with a rounded crown. (Poplar) Easter Cottonwood Female Seed Release. Similar to cultivated poplars, but with arched, decurved branches. The photo above shows Sugar Maple autumn leaves that dropped from the same tree to the ground (where I was delighted to find them). The red maple is also a common ornamental tree, being used in landscaping and in urban areas, highly popular for its fall coloration. The soil is mixed with rocks and sand. crickjul@msu.edu, Kathryn Fischer Hickory Trees: Types, Bark, Leaves, Nuts (Pictures) - Identification Hickory Trees: Types, Bark, Leaves, Nuts - Identification Guide (Pictures) Trees Hickory trees are large deciduous trees with dense foliage and a spreading canopy. Jauron, Richard. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below. The females are the culprits spreading their fuzzy cotton seeds that can get stuck in air conditioners and cover lawns like snow. State park, historic sites and visitor center events. The white spruce has smooth "branchlets" with foul-smelling needles, while the black spruce has hairy branchlets with pleasantly scented, shorter needles. The bark of a red oak looks as if someone went cross-country skiing on the bark. By studying the leaf characteristics carefully, you can identify any tree found growing in Michigan. Maple tree leaves are lobed and have a star-like shape. The red maples samaras are small in size and the two wings form a narrow v shape. The aspen's leaves are also medium-green, but unlike the cottonwood they turn orange or reddish in the fall. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Photo 2: Basal bark treatment spraying lower 12-18 inches of stem. These usually vary from one tree type to another, depending on its particularities. These trees are native to North America, Western Asia, and Europe. Paper Birch trees are also known as American White Birch and Canoe Birch. There are several varieties of White Oak trees, all of which have lobed leaves with rounded margins lacking bristles on the very tips. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Horticulture and Home Pest News. Yellow Tulip tree bark is light greenish-gray in color, thick on mature trees, and deeply furrowed, with tightly patterned narrow ridges. The seed fruit of the Red Maple tree (which many people call "helicopters"), has a characteristic horseshoe shape identical to other maple tree varieties, including Sugar Maples and Silver Maples. Examine the leaves of the tree. The leaves of red maples are lobed with serrate leaf margins. The color of smooth bark trees is usually a light tan or whitish color. Eastern hemlock is a coniferous tree in the pine family (Pinaceae). Not all trees can be found in all locations, though, because different species prefer different sites and environments. As the tree ages, the bark develops cracks, later having large peeling scales scales of 10-20cm by 5-10cm (4-8 x 2-4 in). Neither are hemlocks, spruces, firs, tamaracks or larches. Use the button above to visit the target shooing and archery home page, or go directly to one of the pages below: Find snowmobile trail permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more. If the leaflets are small and less than 2 inches long, this is the honey locust tree. 2. When mature, the trees are pyramidal in shape and can reach heights of up to 70 to 100 ft. Sugar Maple Tree Bark (Youngest on the Left, Oldest on the Right). The photo above right also shows a cross-section of an Eastern Cottonwood twig revealing the telltale inner star shape. Lenticels are pores that move carbon dioxide and oxygen through a tree's protective outer bark. Michigan Tree Identification. The cap covers 1/4 to 1/3 of the nut, has a matte finish, and is tan-colored. Learn. Depauw Nature Park Field Guide To Trees. They look like spines and can grow to be three inches long. The red cedar has four-sided branchlets that form its scale-like leaves, while the northern white cedar has flattened branchlets that form fan-like sprays. Kathi Mirto (author) from Fennville on November 07, 2020: Heidi, Linda, So glad you found everything informative and beautiful. Flower: This is another way to cross-reference a tree's identity, but again, the flowering season is short-lived. 4 It can be. It is easily identified by its white paper like bark. The flowering catskins of the Cottonwood tree (male or shorter female) dangle from their branches during the spring season in colors of greenish to gold (female) to purple (male trees), with sticky shells, which can be problematic, making a mess all over the landscape. Trees To Plant. Jack pine trees have two long needles in a bundle, similarly to red pine, while white pine has five needles in each bundle. Tree often with poor form. 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