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. They are flat and attached to a small peg on the stem. You can find northern red oak in forests and backyards throughout Michigan. When mature, the trees are pyramidal in shape and can reach heights of up to 70 to 100 ft. Calendars: To confirm identifications, look at a tree's bark, flowers, fruit and branching habits. Similar to cultivated poplars, but with arched, decurved branches. Leaves: The shape of leaves is a more reliable identifier than the color or size of the leaves. With its dense leaf coverage and height, the Northern Red Oak is among the best shade trees to have on your property, offering a cool spot on scorching afternoons. The leaves turn yellow in the fall. In southern Michigan, American beech trees grow in beech-maple forests. Cottonwood trees are one of three species in the section Aigeros in the genus Populus. In the forest is a tall and slender tree with short branches forming a narrow crown; in the open, it has a short, thick trunk and numerous slender, crooked, spreading branches, forming a broad, compact, rounded crown. When unobstructed, the crown is wide-spreading and broad. Oak trees are mast trees, which mean they produce fruit specifically acorns. The elm tree has doubly serrated leaf margins, while the basswood has heart-shaped, non-serrated leaves. (Poplar) Easter Cottonwood Female Seed Release. The sassafras, yellow poplar, cottonwood, aspen, Balsam poplar, mulberry and sycamore trees all have leaves that are as wide as they are long. Happy hunting. More than 100 different species of trees grow in Michigan, with about 64 species being the most common trees found in the state. Click the thumbnail to view the map. If you are identifying a tree, you probably look at its leaves before anything else, or the tree's flowers or fruit if it has that. Note: The tree pictured above died because of the Emerald Ash Borer. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE WINTER FUN HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Find facility info, overnight info, an event calendar and much more. The species' scientific name refers to the US state of Maryland. Classes & Workshops; The edges of the leaf are jagged and the veins are prominent. Using seasonal characteristics is another good way to learn to identify trees during the off season. The Yellow Tulip Poplar tree, although the common name suggests, is not from the poplar family. Learn to identify Michigan trees with this handy field guide, organized by leaf type and attachment. Naturally, some tree species have variable leaf characteristics, so be cautious. Number of State Forests: 28. For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu. This can be tricky and sometimes frustrating to the novice observer because the bark of many species look very similar while others have undeniably defining features. The Eastern Cottonwood or Poplar tree autumn leaves typically turn golden brown to deep golden-yellow. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Identifying trees by examining the bark that grows on trees commonly found in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. It is easily identified by its white paper like bark. The sassafras trees leaves are fragrant and may be tri-lobed or mitten-shaped. The bark of the tree is grayish brown which appears blackish, and so the name the black poplar tree. American Forests. quistla1@msu.edu. Spot the redbud and beech trees by their simple, alternate leaves that dont have lobes or notches and are equal in proportion on either side of the midrib or center leaf vein. It is a large tree, commonly growing to more than 75 feet, with a rounded crown. Identification. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. The edges of the leaveswhether serrated or smoothprovide another solid clue, as do how they are attached to the branch (staggered alternately along the branch or paired opposite along the branch, making the shape of a cross or a plus sign). You can identify deciduous trees in winter by their wood and buds and in summer by the shapes and sizes of their leaves. Helen Wilson. In autumn, the Black Oak tree's eaves typically turn brownish-red or red. Younger trees possess smooth, thin bark throughout. Aspen. DNR programs engage youth in our natural resources. Use leaves from mature trees, since juvenile foliage can have different characteristics. On wild varieties of the honey locust tree, you can find large, red thorns on the trunk and branches. Now get out those snowshoes and see how many maples you can find! More on the Hemlock here from Michigan DNR. Twigs smell somewhat bad when crushed. This is a large tree, up to 100 feet (30 m) high. It typically grows in mixed forests and sandy plains. 1998 Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Once you start looking, you'll find there's a lot more than just plain brown. The surface of bark can be smooth, have deep ridges, or be an interesting mix of different textures. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Fruits and Buds: Yet another way to cross-reference when a particular tree's identity is in question. Identify the ash tree by its oppositely arranged, compound leaves that have finely-toothed or smooth edges on each pinnate leaflet, meaning that the leaflets are arranged across from each other in rows. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. Leaves are a popular way to learn tree species, and theyre a good technique during the growing season. There's a tree in the yard that we can't identify. The bark of a red oak looks as if someone went cross-country skiing on the bark. Some species, like white ash, can have ridges and furrows that intersect. Acorns are considered hard mast, because the outer shell is hard, with a seed enclosed inside. Yellow Tulip Poplars are one of the tallest hardwood trees in North America, fast-growing with one of the most perfectly straight trunks in the forest. Receive small business resources and advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs. species not listed for any ten species on the list. Wojtech, Michael. It is largest in stature of all four, easily the most well-known by name, and likely the easiest to identify in the field. In the spring time it produces long caterpillar like flowers or catkins that are pollinated by the wind. Look for Michigan trees with needle-like leaves growing in bundled clusters of five to identify white pine trees. The wood is often used for pulp and firewood. The upper sides of the leaves are a dark green and the undersides are a bit paler. Many pine and spruce trees have scales of bark, while species like the black birch have thick, irregular plates on their trunks. It is the state tree of Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Its leaves turn yellow and start to fall off in the fall making it a deciduous tree. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool , michigan waterfall in autumn image by James Phelps from, horse chestnut leaves image by Edsweb from, maple tree leaves on the branch image by Kostyantyn Ivanyshen from, backlit dogwood leaves image by Jorge Moro from, Black Oak Leaf image by Thomas de Hoghton from, leaf of an elm 3 image by Alexander Oshvintsev from, cherries in the tree image by Florin Capilnean from, Close up of a white pine tree image by Jackie Smithson from, Red Cedar at Picton castle April 2008 image by David Stirrup from, Freeland Community School District: Key to Identifying Trees of Michigan. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. Tree identification Bill Cook, Michigan State University Extension - November 28, 2016 Although most of the leaves have fallen, the dormant season can be the easiest time to identify trees with a bit of practice. The acorns on a red oak have a saucer-shaped cup, which is the top of the acorn. Sugar Maple bark textures are quite variable and show deeper furrows with age. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. Not all trees can be found in all locations, though, because different species prefer different sites and environments. Sugar Maple Red Maple Silver Maple Black Oak Northern Red Oak Poplar or Eastern Cottonwood Quaking Aspen Paper Birch Sassafras Yellow Tulip Poplar White Ash Black Cherry Very unfortunately, both the White Ash and Green Ash have been almost completely wiped out in Michigan, along with millions of ash trees in the Central and Northeastern regions of the United States. The red maples samaras are small in size and the two wings form a narrow v shape. Northern white-cedar is the most common conifer in Michigan. The Good and the Beautiful. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below. Red Maple Tree Bark (Youngest on the Left, Oldest on the Right). More than 75 different native species of trees grow in the state, with many others that are planted from other parts of the countryand the world! These usually vary from one tree type to another, depending on its particularities. Aspen bark is a green-white (a result of the chlorophyll) and also has dark, diamond-shaped openings. Height/spread: Offering a similar vase shape to American elm, this tree can grow to a height of 40 to 50 feet, although most landscape specimens reach 15-20 ft. Click the box above to see all species, or click the species group below. Black and white spruce can be difficult to distinguish by needle appearance, but if its in a lowland site, its probably black spruce. However, make sure you have a tree and youre not looking at a shrub. Often this will change as trees age, according to Michael Wojtech who wrote the book, Bark: A Field Guide to Trees of the Northeast. It is easily identified by its white paper like bark. He enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall. Jack pine trees have two long needles in a bundle, similarly to red pine, while white pine has five needles in each bundle. In autumn, they produce brown beechnuts. The leaf of a white oak has lobed leaf margins and the tips of the leaf are rounded. This can kill the tree because it stops nutrients and water from traveling through the trunk (girdling), so it is best to refrain from writing on this tree or any tree. The thorns usually have three points, but can have many more, especially on the trunk. The Black Cherry tree flower is white, oblong and has an extremely pleasant aroma. Learn. As with many tree varieties, the older the tree, the chunkier the bark and deeper its furrows. "Holes In The Bark Of Tree Twigs | Horticulture And Home Pest News". For the U.P. Ironwood is a relatively small tree in a landscape compared to birch and elm trees. Black Cherry tree bark is most useful for identifying this tree. I imagine it was cool to work for the US Forest Service. 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. Its leaves alternate on the stem. A tree with an opposite branching pattern narrows the choices down to maples, ashes and dogwoods. Largetooth aspen. Trees And Shrubs. Does this mean they're dying? Tree ID website is good. More than 100 different species of trees grow in Michigan, with about 64 species being the most common trees found in the state. Its a good place to begin in order to build some confidence and skill. We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. The bark on mature cottonwoods has extremely thick, flat-topped furrowed ridges. Upright branches form a low, dense, rather narrow, and rounded crown. The trunks are tall, branchless for a long length, and form a compact, rather open, conical crown of slender branches. Bark is an important clue in identifying trees, especially in winter when the bark stands out against the white snow. Not quiteWojtech explained that the trees' wood is growing faster than the bark surrounding it, so the tree itself pushes outward against the bark. First, the non-native sap feeding scale insect (Cryptococcus fagisuga) infests the tree. Elm leaves alternate along two sides of the stem. Viet Doan from Big Island, Hawaii on November 06, 2020: I really enjoy reading your article, Kathi! White Oaks are named for the white color of their fresh-cut wood. The soil is mixed with rocks and sand. Check out more on White Oak trees here from the Michigan DNR. Study the needle-like leaves to determine whether theyre not bundled in clusters and grow singularly to identify the Hemlock and Balsam fir trees, which both have flattened needles. Fox, Vanessa. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. Bark is often unseen as the dense foliage and branches persist close to the ground. They look like spines and can grow to be three inches long. May 23, 2022 They are recommended by nurseries for their fast growth rate. The Parson Spider is another common Michigan spider that people find around their homes. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Photo 3: Treating American beech stems in northern hardwood understory. crickjul@msu.edu, Kathryn Fischer Paper Birch has such distinct bright-white bark with fine horizontal lines, sometimes exhibiting thinly peeled bark, that it requires little further investigation for identification. This is a large tree reaching up to 100 feet (30 m). If the tree is allowed to grow in an open field or yard, it will be easier to identify, and size of the tree varies with age. We administer grants that enable our local partners to promote the lifestyles we all enjoy by providing recreational opportunities, enhancing wildlife habitat and ensuring public safety. Yellow Tulip tree bark is light greenish-gray in color, thick on mature trees, and deeply furrowed, with tightly patterned narrow ridges. This slow-growing deciduous tree thrives in USDA Grow Zones 4-8 and can be spotted in woodlands, wooded slopes, and along the edges of limestone glades. This phenomenon is also true for their cousin species, the Cottonwood. Like many species, it goes by serval distinct common names, sometimes leading to confusion, including: quaking aspen, trembling aspen, American aspen, mountain or golden aspen, trembling poplar, white poplar, and popple, as well as a few others. 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 commonly seen with 3 lobes, but they can have up to 5. RED MAPLE 7. Wojtech has identified that yellow birch trees have dark, horizontal lines, while young bigtooth aspens do not have lines at all but instead diamond-shaped lenticels. Evergreen Leaves Eastern hemlock is a coniferous tree in the pine family (Pinaceae). The Balsam poplar has yellowish-green leaves, while the cottonwood has medium-green leaves. Look for simple, alternate leaves without lobes that are equal on both sides of the midrib, but that have finely or doubly serrated leaf edges if you want to identify cherry, willow or birch trees. Michigan+Tree+Identification+by+Leaf | LeavesID. Most times, you will see small plates of bark on the tree that looks a lot like camouflage. Apr 22, 2017 - Explore Rick Kilgore's board "Michigan Tree identification" on Pinterest. Michigan is the western edge of its range and it can be found in almost every county except for the western side of the Upper Peninsula. 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. Most others are more year-round, such as twig and branching patterns, buds, bud scars, bark, tree form, site, and tree associates. Bark medium brown and tight. The red pines needles are 4- to 6-inches long, while the Jack pines needles are only 1- to 2-inches long. Like all members of the pine family, the eastern hemlock has a seed cone. White Oaks vs Red Oaks: How to Tell the Difference. Fifty-eight illustrated pages are crammed full of tips that help in identifying 300 of North America's most common native trees. But, depending on their location, they can be just as spectacular as their cousin varieties.