TREE CARE — CCSF Spring 2015 – 20 Trees Assignment
Below I have profiled twenty trees commonly seen in the state of Maine. Nineteen are native to Maine (but Maine is not the only place of origin). Some photos are mine and some are from the Internet. At the end I posted a few more photos I took.
References: Tree ID workshop at Island Heritage Trust, Forest Trees of Maine, The Plants of Acadia National Park, and direct first-hand observation.
CONIFERS: Pinus strobus, Pinus banksiana, Picea rubens, Picea glauca, Larix laricina. HARDWOODS: Alnus incana, Betula lenta, Betula papyrifera, Betula populifolia, Fagus grandifolia, Quercus rubra, Fraxinus americana, Amelanchier spp., Populus grandidentata, Populus tremuloides, Acer pennsylvanicum, Acer platanoides, Acer saccharum, Acer rubrum, Ulmus americana.
CONIFERS
PINACEAE – PINE FAMILY
- PINUS STROBUS
White Pine, Eastern White Pine
Evergreen native Maine tree. Grows rapidly to 70-100 feet, 1-3 ft. diameter, in most soil types, but grows best in fertile, well-drained soil. On sandy soils, it can establish pure stands. Form is symmetrical and conical, with a long lower portion of trunk free of branches, and branches in regular horizontal whorls, usually 5 branches per whorl. Leaves are thin bluish-green needles, 3-5” long in clusters of 5 with a papery sheath. Cones are 4-8” cylinders. Bark is smooth and reddish-brown on young trees; thick, fissured and very dark on older trees.
Pest Issues include the white pine weevil, which kills the top shoot and causes multiple stems.
Wood is light-colored and durable, soft and easy to work. Used for construction, interior trim, doors and cabinets, furniture, boat planking.
Historically, the white pine has been important to the region for many centuries. In 1605, samples of white pine were shipped to England. In 1691, England’s Broad Arrow Policy reserved pines 2’ or more in diameter within 3 miles of the ocean for the Royal Navy’s use (for ship masts). By 1850, most of Maine’s accessible virgin white pine had been cut down.
In 1895 the pine cone was included in Maine’s official emblem, and in 1945, Pinus strobus became the official state tree, and the reason for Maine’s nickname, the “Pine Tree State.”
- PINUS BANKSIANA
Jack Pine, Scrub Pine, Gray Pine
Evergreen native Maine tree. Grows to 50-60’. Grows well on sandy, rocky, shallow acidic soils. Form has spreading, open, symmetrical outline. Near the coast, it looks short and gnarly. Leaves are ¾” to 1 ½” dark green stout needles in clusters of two. Cones are slender and curved; remain closed except in extreme heat; can persist 12-15 years. Bark is thin and ridged, dark reddish-brown.
Landscape use – Jack Pines near the coast have a picturesquely stunted and gnarled look.
Wood is close-grained and hard. Historically used for firewood and box boards.
- PICEA GLAUCA
White Spruce, Cat Spruce
Evergreen Maine native tree. Not shade-tolerant, will not grow as understory tree.Grows to 60-90’ and to 2 feet diameter. Grows well on shallow rocky sites from the coast to the mountains. Form is broad based with rigid lateral branches and a somewhat open and irregular head. Leaves are pale blue-green needles, pointing straight out from the branch and upward. Cones are slender cylinders, pale brown, 2” with thin flexible scales; used for wreaths. Bark has light-gray plate-like scales.
Wood is soft and light and has many uses: pulp, paddles, piano sounding boards.
Historically, American Indians used the long, tough, flexible roots to bind birch bark canoes.
Looks like a Christmas tree, but DO NOT use White Spruce for a Christmas tree because it has a peculiar odor that inspired the name “Cat Spruce.”
- PICEA RUBENS
Red Spruce
Evergreen native Maine tree. Shade-tolerant, can grow in forest understory. Grows to 60-80’. Grows on well-drained rocky soil, especially on northern slopes. Form is conical, with spreading branches and narrow head. Leaves are ½” stiff needles, dark green to yellow-green; prickly, pointing toward branch tip.Cones are 1 ½ – 2” oblong, reddish-brown, very shiny.Bark is thick with irregular reddish-brown scales. Wood is used for construction lumber; resin is used for pitch.
- LARIX LARICINA
Tamarack, Hackmatack, Eastern Larch, Black Larch, The Larch, “Juniper”
DECIDUOUS (unusual for conifer) Maine native tree. Not shade tolerant. Rapid growth rate, to 50-60’. Can grow in cool, swampy places, and in well-drained soil. Regular, pyramidal form with stiff horizontal branches. Leaves are 1” soft needles in clusters of 8 or more, on spurs. Bright green. Cones are small, spherical, light brown. Bark is grayish brown and reddish, thin with irregular scales. Wood is coarse-grained, heavy, strong and durable.
Historically, Tamarack “knees” (large buttressing roots) were used for shipbuilding.
The only deciduous conifer native to Maine, Tamarack provides the last color (yellow) of autumn.
FLOWERING HARDWOOD TREES — all listed below are broad-leaved and deciduous
BETULACEAE – BIRCH FAMILY
- ALNUS INCANA, ssp. Rugosa
Speckled Alder
Native to Maine. Shrubby tree grows to 20 feet, with trunk diameter no more than 4”. Likes wet swampy areas and open pasture land. Leaves are alternate, simple, 2-3”, ovate, rough and toothed. Male flowers are purplish catkins that are obvious in spring. Fruit is woody and cone-like. Bark is dark chocolate brown, with white horizontal lenticels.
Alders are often considered a nuisance because they sprout in pastures and make impenetrable thickets. However, alder roots have nitrogen-fixing nodules that increase soil fertility.
Wood is not commercially useful; stems are used for basketry. Historically, the wood was used in forges because it burns very hot.
- BETULA LENTA
Sweet Birch, Black Birch, Cherry Birch
Native to Maine. Grows by stream banks or in moist rich soil, up to 80’. Like most birches, it is short-lived. Form – one trunk with spreading, slender horizontal branches; round and symmetrical outline. Leaves are alternate, 3-5”, egg-shaped, toothed, with heart-shaped base; very thin, with upper surface dark green, underside light green. Resembles beech leaf. Flowers are catkins. Bark is dark bronze, almost black, with irregular plates. Bark resembles cherry tree bark. Young reddish-bronze stems taste and smell like wintergreen.
Landscape – a handsome specimen tree.
Wood is hard, heavy and strong, beautiful when polished. Prized by furniture makers. “Wintergreen oil” with medicinal uses can be extracted from the branches.
Native Americans’ chewing gum. Chew on a stem – it tastes like wintergreen.
- BETULA PAPYRIFERA
Paper Birch, White Birch, Canoe Birch
Native to Maine. Grows by streams, lakes and ponds, up to 60-70 feet. Prefers rich, moist soil. Form is one trunk free of branches until high up, with an open, narrow, round head. Leaves are alternate, ovate, pointed, toothed, 2-4” dark green, rough. Stems are rough. Flowers are catkins in clusters of 3. Bark is white outside, bright orange inside. Separates easily into papery sheets. Contains sweet sap in spring that can be made into birch syrup or birch beer.
Not a good landscape tree. Sensitive to pollution and climate change, does not do well.
Wood is hard and strong. Made into toys, dowels, furniture parts.
Historically, early settlers used the bark for paper, and the Native Americans used it to make canoes. Was once considered a highly valuable tree for manufacturing shoe pegs, clothes-pins, yarn spools, and toothpicks.
- BETULA POPULIFOLIA
Gray Birch, Gray Clump Birch
Native to Maine. Grows to 20-30 feet, 4-8 inches diameter. Can grow in wet areas. Helps prevent soil erosion in disturbed areas. Often found in old fields, burns, and heavily cut areas. Grows in clumps, with multiple trunks, often leaning. Slender short branches become pendulous. Head is narrow, pointed and open. Leaves are triangular with long tapering points, 2 ½ – 3”, alternate, toothed, dark green glossy upper surface. Leaves flutter in the wind like poplar leaves. Flowers are catkins. Bark is dull gray, whitens as the tree matures.
Short-lived, not ideal as landscape tree.
Wood decays easily, can be used for pulp or firewood.
FAGACEAE – BEECH FAMILY
- FAGUS GRANDIFOLIA
American Beech
Native to Maine. Grows slowly — up to 80 feet, best in rich soil. Forms pure stands, with shoots from roots. Leaves are alternate, entire, 3-5”, elliptic, pointed, toothed. Tan-colored dead leaves tend to persist on tree in the winter. Leaves look similar to Elm leaves, but with deep ribs/veins. Fruit is a bur with two edible triangular nuts. Bark is light gray and smooth, unless diseased.
Pest issues include Beech bark disease caused by the beech scale insect, Cryptococcus fagisuga, plus the fungus Nectria coccinea var. faginata. Beeches have been severely limited by the Nectria fungus – groves look short and stunted. The beech is a magnificent tree if it can grow to full height.
Wood is hard but not durable; is used for pulp, firewood and pallets. Historically, the wood was used for clothespins, furniture, railroad ties, and flooring.
Beeches more often used for ornamental landscaping are Purple Beech (Fagus sylvatica var. atropunicea). Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica var. cuprea), and European Beech (Fagus sylvatica).
Beech nuts are an important source of food for wildlife, e.g., wild turkeys. People put their pigs under beech trees to eat the nutlets. Bears climb beeches to get at the nuts, and leave telltale claw marks on the bark.
Beeches grow slowly, so nurseries don’t sell them.
- QUERCUS RUBRA
Red Oak, Northern Red Oak
Native to Maine; the most commonly seen oak in Maine. Grows best in rich upland soil, to 60-80’ with stout horizontal or upright branches. Branches have an alternating pattern. Leaves are 5-8” alternate, lobed, simple, dark green above and yellow-green below. Buds are distinctive – imbricate, with shingle-like scales, with clusters of three buds. Flowers appear while leaves are immature. Fruit is an acorn. Acorns are major food source for wildlife. Tannic acid makes them bitter. Bark is dark gray to black, fissured or ribbed with rounded ridges. Inner bark is reddish.
Wood is hard, strong and heavy. Used for furniture, construction, everything.
Historically, used for shipbuilding, weir poles and fence posts.
OLEACEAE – OLIVE FAMILY
FRAXINUS AMERICANA
American Ash, White Ash
Native to Maine. Grows to 60-70’ with upright and spreading branches to a narrow top. Prefers rich soil. Leaves are compound, opposite and entire, ovate to lanceolate, 3-5” dark green and shiny. Fruit are individual samaras in clusters; winged cigar-shaped seeds. Bark is brown to gray; has deep furrows and ridges; resembles woven basketry. Wood is hard and tough, often used for agricultural tools, handles, oars, and sports equipment like baseball bats and hockey sticks.
Currently The Emerald Ash Borer, a beetle, is destroying ash trees. A 20” diameter branch of the ash tree broke over the roof of my mother’s house just last week. http://www.emeraldashborer.info/#sthash.ongGoDP0.dpbs
ROSACEAE – ROSE FAMILY
- AMELANCHIER spp.
Serviceberry, Shadbush, Juneberry
Native to Maine, there are at least 7 species commonly seen. Grows to 30-40 feet, along the margin of open areas, and around lakes and streams. Can grow in wet areas. Leaves are oval-elliptic, alternate, entire, 1 ½ – 3”, with heart-shaped base, dark green above and lighter green below. Hairy when unfurling; reddish or purplish when immature. Flowers are white to pale pink and sweet-smelling; 5 petals. It is the first major flowering tree in spring. Fruit is edible and berry-like, red to purple when mature. Bark is smooth violet-gray, with dark vertical stripes; fissured when older. Wood is heavy and hard, and used for tool handles, fishing rods.
Fruit is delicious for pies, but usually the birds clean them out.
Saskatoon berry is a bigger cultivar of Serviceberry; grown in the NW of Maine.
What is the origin of the common name “Serviceberry”? This tree blooms just when the ground has thawed enough to dig holes for burying people who died during the winter. In the past, when this tree flowered, it was time for funeral services.
SALICACEAE – WILLOW FAMILY
- POPULUS GRANDIDENTATA
Bigtooth Aspen, Bigtooth Poplar, Bigtooth Popple
Native to Maine. More shade tolerant, more competitive than Quaking Aspen. Grows rapidly in various soils/situations, often with Quaking Aspen; grows best in rich, sandy, moist soil. Grows to 60-80’. Leaves are alternate, 3-4”, broadly ovate, coarsely toothed, dark green. Silvery-green in spring. Flat petioles. Flowers are catkins that appear before leaves.Fruit capsule has seeds that can be carried long distances by the wind. Bark is smooth olive green, ridged in old trees.
Wood is soft and rots easily. Historically, the wood was ground up and used for cattle feed. Sometimes referred to as “biscuit wood.”
- POPULUS TREMULOIDES
Quaking Aspen
Native to Maine. Not shade tolerant. Grows rapidly to 60-75’, can occur in pure stands or mix with other trees. Does best in sandy moist soil. Often the first tree established in disturbed areas. Form is graceful with one trunk, slender branches, and a round, narrow head. Leaves are smooth with very long petioles, flat and flexible, so the leaves quiver in the wind. Leaves have more plant hairs in mountainous areas; hairs reflect light to conserve moisture. Flowers are catkins. Fruit is a capsule with light seeds easily carried on the wind. Bark is pale green, smooth, roughened with horizontal warty growths. Older trees are darker. Bark tastes bitter like quinine. Wood is very similar to Bigtooth Aspen.
SAPINDACEAE – SOAPBERRY FAMILY
- ACER PENNSYLVANICUM
Moosewood, Striped Maple
Native to Maine. Shade-loving understory tree, often seen at the edge of clearings with other hardwoods. Grows to 25 feet, prefers rich moist soils or rocky slopes. Slender, upright branches. Leaves are simple, opposite, 5-6” look like moose footprints. In Western Maine, leaves are called “Toilet Paper Leaf” – just the right size, non toxic to skin. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. Flowers are bright yellow. As with all maples, fruit is chains of paired samaras – good for making helicopters and sticking on your nose. Bark is white and green striped.
Landscape – Moosewood is a beautiful small specimen tree
Wood is light and soft, smaller branches make good whistles in spring when the cambium is active.
- ACER PLATANOIDES
Norway Maple — The marauding Viking of maples.
Origin: Norway. Invasive non-native species. Grows fast in dense shade and then shades out other trees, aggressively dominates the whole forest. In southern Maine it is a serious threat. Indestructible, grows under any conditions.
Leaves are opposite, 5-7 lobed, square, dark green, with milky white sap. Resembles sugar maple leaf, but thicker. Flowers are bright yellow-green. Fruit are paired samaras, 2”. Bark is gray, darkening with age to almost black, with vertical furrows.
Landscape – DO NOT PLANT THIS TREE! It will attack you with a battle axe while you are praying in church, then go in your house and turn on your TV.
- ACER SACCHARUM
Sugar Maple
Native to Maine. Grows on moist, rocky slopes, up to 60-70 feet. Branches begin 8-10 feet up, forming an egg-shaped head that broadens with age. Leaves are opposite, 3-5 lobed. Classic Canadian flag shape. Thinner than Norway Maple leaf, with no milky sap. Flowers are greenish-yellow and pendulous. Fruit are paired samaras. Bark is pale and slightly fissured.
Landscape – attractive ornamental specimen tree. Nice fall foliage.
Sensitive tree – responds badly to air pollution and climate change, and to road salt.
Sap is used to make maple syrup. Wood is strong and hard; used for furniture, flooring, canoe paddles, and many other uses.
Historically, Sugar Maple wood was used for sleighs, sleds, and buggy shafts.
- ACER RUBRUM
Red Maple, Swamp Maple, Soft Maple
Native to Maine. Grows rapidly in various places, typically does well in poorly drained areas. Medium-sized, slender, upright with narrow head, undivided trunk. Grows to 50-60’. Leaves have mainly three (3) large lobes, underside is whitish green. Flowers are clustered on stalks and bloom before leaves open. Yellowish red /bright scarlet. Fruit is paired samaras, only slightly divergent. Bark is smooth and light grey, darkening and roughening with age into ridges and scales.
A great landscape tree – all cultivars are beautiful. Flower buds are ruby red, tree looks like reddish mist in the spring. Lots of red coloration – red stems, red flower buds, red fall foliage.
Wood is heavy, strong, easily worked, but not durable.
Sap can be used to make maple syrup that is not as sweet as Sugar Maple syrup.
ULMACEAE – ELM FAMILY
- ULMUS AMERICANA
American Elm
Native to Maine. Prefers rich bottomland and moist soil by streams. Grows rapidly to 60-70’. Trunk divides into numerous limbs – vase shaped, spreading, round-topped form, with drooping branches. Graceful form once familiar to “Elm Street” in Anytown, USA. Leaves are 3-6” alternate, ovate, toothed, tomentose – sandpapery surface; leaf base is lopsided. Fruit is a small winged seed. Bark is ashy-gray with ridges and fissures: chocolate and buff inner bark.
Pest issues include Dutch elm disease which almost wiped out all elms.
Wood is spiral and coarse, hard, strong. Used for flooring and railroad ties. Historically, used for barrel hoops, barn stall floors, door thresholds and wheel hubs.
There are some saplings growing behind the Bar Harbor Bank in Blue Hill ME.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS I TOOK OF TREES NEAR 14 TIDAL CREEK ROAD in HARBORSIDE, MAINE.
Seeing Trees 