michigan tree identification by bark
program! Helen Wilson. The horse chestnut has palmate compound leaves with seven leaflets that grow in a hand-like shape on each leaf. Older trunks are rough-ridged and dark gray. It can also be found along the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. Jack Pine is found in almost all of the Upper Peninsula and in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula. More on the White Pine here from the Michigan DNR. My family got our first Border Collie in 1989. I imagine it was cool to work for the US Forest Service. Fast growing, the Eastern Cottonwood is a large tree up to 100 feet (30 m) high. It can grow on a variety of different soils, but does not grow well when those soils are poorly drained. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Conifers have needle-like or scale-like, almost always evergreen leaves, while broadleaf trees have flat, broad leaves that are usually deciduous in Michigan, falling from the trees in the fall. Number of invasive tree species: 4 . Viet Doan from Big Island, Hawaii on November 06, 2020: I really enjoy reading your article, Kathi! Robin Wade Furniture Mail: 226 River Point Rd Florence, AL 35634 robin@robinwadefurniture.com 256.766.0049 Contact usContact us The red maple is an extremely common species found throughout all of Michigan. Many pine and spruce trees have scales of bark, while species like the black birch have thick, irregular plates on their trunks. Another way to identify Jack Pine is by its cones. *The next five pages include images of the leaves and bark of the 30 species listed* Thirty species of trees commonly found in Michigan in both urban and rural settings are: 5 Michigan Trees www.MiWildlife.org Its leaves turn yellow and start to fall off in the fall making it a deciduous tree. Like the Silver Maple's cousins, the Sugar Maple and Red Maple, the younger trees have much smoother and thinner bark.
The leaves are commonly seen with 3 lobes, but they can have up to 5. While not all trees will have a distinct odor, some do. Darren Bagley
USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE CAMPING HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Get all your fishing information here, including rules and regulations, license info, the weekly fishing report and much more. 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. For whatever reason, tree ID can be done year-round. Sassafras trees are known to repel mosquitoes and other insects. If the leaves are simple, opposite, oval-shaped and small or medium-sized, they belong to a dogwood tree. quistla1@msu.edu. Learn. You can find northern red oak in forests and backyards throughout Michigan. Match. Illustrations, identification keys, and other descriptive information will help make identification easier when out in the forest, in a backyard, or along the road. Similar to cultivated poplars, but with arched, decurved branches. Black and white spruce can be difficult to distinguish by needle appearance, but if its in a lowland site, its probably black spruce. Fungi in the genus Nectria enter through these wounds and they kill the cambium layer. Spot a sassafras tree by its alternately arranged, simple leaves that are lobed or notched and are as wide as they are long. 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. Master Gardeners Of Northern Virginia. Michael Wojtech's book Bark, A Field Guide to Trees of the Northeast is a huge help. Kathi Mirto (author) from Fennville on November 07, 2020: Heidi, Linda, So glad you found everything informative and beautiful. Learn. The photo above shows Sugar Maple autumn leaves that dropped from the same tree to the ground (where I was delighted to find them). 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. Elm leaves alternate along two sides of the stem. More on the Hemlock here from Michigan DNR. Female flower buds, if present, occur in clusters. Common techniques for identifying trees include analyzing the leaves' shape, bark texture or color, the overall aspect of the tree's crown, flowers, and fruits where it is possible. Identifying Elms With Basic Characteristics. Horticulture. Leaves are oval shaped and come to a tip. The leaf of a white oak has lobed leaf margins and the tips of the leaf are rounded. They are egg-shaped with a pointed end, green in colour and the tips of the bud . A unique characteristic is a bullseye pattern that can sometimes be seen farther up their trunk. Typically, mature Red Maple bark is brownish-gray to silver-gray. Pines make up about 44 percent of the conifer volume in Michigan (14 percent of total tree volume) and about 25 percent in the U.P. Photo 2: Basal bark treatment spraying lower 12-18 inches of stem. But a few species, like the American beech and the red maple, keep their smooth, unbroken bark throughout their lifespans. Forested acres: 20 million. The most outstanding feature of the Sassafras tree is the three distinctly shaped leaves growing on the same tree and even on the same branch, making them easy to identify. Michigan boasts around 100 tree species, depending upon how a tree is defined. Tree Size and Form: This can be tricky when trees are crowded in forest stands and forced to reach for the light. The thorns usually have three points, but can have many more, especially on the trunk. DNR programs engage youth in our natural resources. Bark Identification - Identifying Tree Bark Tree identification by images of bark. It is largest in stature of all four, easily the most well-known by name, and likely the easiest to identify in the field. The Yellow Tulip Poplar tree, although the common name suggests, is not from the poplar family. 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. The red maples bark is smooth, thin and light colored when young. Going north, they can be found in hemlock-northern hardwood forests. If they have single needles, it is not. Many people refer to all conifers as pines when, actually, most conifers are not pines, especially in the U.P. The bark of young Sycamore trees is usually smooth and silvery-grey but sometimes brown. Ash trees' autumn leaves typically turn yellow, yellowish green, to a pattern of orange and yellow on younger saplings. https://dev.michigan.local/som/json?sc_device=json, Tree-NA graphic on the basswood tree, showing its shape and creamy flower bunches, Beech tree TreeNA post and plant description, Northern white cedar description TreeNA post, TreeNA graphic of black cherry tree showing cherries, flowers and tree shape, Eastern cottonwood tree description TreeNA post, TreeNA graphic showing Balsam Fir info and images, Red oak TreeNa graphic showing acorns and fall foliage, TreeNA graphic showing Paw Paw tree foliage and fruit, TreeNA graphic featuring Red Pine with a cone, needles and tree silhouette, Tulip tree TreeNA graphic with yellow flower and 4-pointed leaves, Graphic showing heart-shaped redbud tree leaf and pink flowers, Black walnut tree description TreeNA post, Go to Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center, Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center, Go to Recreational safety and hunter education, Natural and Historical Education Resources for Home, Cultural & Scientific Collectors Permit (Fisheries), Collaborative Forest Management: The Good Neighbor Authority, Assistance for Private Forest Land Owners, County and Municipal Law Enforcement Information, Fisheries Division Citizens Advisory Committees, Michigan History Center Commissions & Committees, Northern Lake Michigan Islands Collaborative, Pigeon River Country Equestrian Committee, Timber and Forest Products Advisory Council, Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Councils. Note: Sugar maple is the only native maple tree to seed in late summer and fallall others seed during spring. Thanks for sharing! Several other types of trees are found around the state. The white spruce has smooth branchlets with foul-smelling needles, while the black spruce has hairy branchlets with pleasantly scented, shorter needles. Flower: 5-petaled showy white (sometimes streaked with pink) flower, 1-2" (2.5-5 cm) wide . I was initially confused when trying to identify several species of majestic oaks, but the following information helped clear some things up. Identifying trees by examining the bark that grows on trees commonly found in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. Identify Michigan conifers that have scale-like leaves instead of needle-like leaves, which are the northern white cedar and red cedar trees. The green ash tree (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) is a medium-sized, fast-growing deciduous tree with large . Sugar maples have dark gray bark with furrowed ridges, not as easily identifiable compared to other Michigan tree species. The common name stems from the sugar maple being used for maple syrup and sugar production. For a full listing of help desk numbers, field offices, and other ways we can help, please visit our contact page. Bonsai. The leaves are a bright green on the upper side and a silvery-green on the underside. Check out the Environmental Studies & Sustainability B.S. Click the thumbnail to observe a female catskin. Among all Michigan tree species, the jack pine is uniquely adapted to exist and reproduce on the hottest and driest sites in Michigan. If it infests enough area, it can girdle and kill the tree. The color of smooth bark trees is usually a light tan or whitish color. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE SNOWMOBILE HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Want to find tasty morel mushrooms in the forest? 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. Check out the Sustainable Parks, Recreation & Tourism B.S. Does this mean they're dying? In summary: To identify a maple tree in the winter, you have to confirm opposite branching and paired buds, and then look at the bark to rule out the ash and flowering dogwood. Instead of ridges, some trees have breaks in the rhytidome layers that look more like plates or scales. Their leaves consist of 5 sharply pointed, serrated edged, dark green and shiny leaflets on a short rachis. Michigan Tree Bark | Etsy Check out our michigan tree bark selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) A Midwest favorite, sugar maple is famous for its exceptional fall color. What is it? Use the button above to visit the hunting home page, or go directly to your area of interest below: Find ORV license and permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more. Fruits and Buds: Yet another way to cross-reference when a particular tree's identity is in question. Once these trees are known, comparing them to unknown species will often make the identification process move quicker. Flashcards. The red or black oak, white oak, elm, basswood, hackberry, redbud, beech, cherry, willow, and white, yellow and gray birch trees all have leaves that are longer than they are wide. The base of the trunk on a mature Cottonwood exhibits fairly deep furrowed bark with broad, flat-topped ridges, while the upper portion of the trunk exhibits fairly smooth, thin bark. 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. 8. The tree's significance for Native Americans was magnified with the European quest for sassafras as a commodity for export, bringing Europeans into closer contact with Native Americans during the early years of European settlement in the 16th and 17th centuries. Bark is smooth and gray on young trees, becoming flaky or shaggy on large trees. 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. Also, the White Ash texture is more firm to the touch than the flakier Green Ash bark. Once you know that, its not too difficult to use a field guide to learn the individual species. "Gleditsia Triacanthos (Common Honey Locust, Honeylocust, Honey Locust, Honey Shucks Locust, Sweet Bean Tree, Sweet Locust, Thorny Locust) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". Some characteristics are seasonal, such as leaves, fruits, and flowers. Felicity Rose Cole Black polar tree bark has deep fissures and large bosses when mature. A broad-leafed tree in a swamp will likely be black ash or one of the elms. The trunk is stout, with often contorted, abruptly spreading branches waving and twisting, forming a flat-topped, rather open columnar crown, making them easily identifiable from a reasonable distance. (Poplar) Easter Cottonwood Female Seed Release. The versatility, temperament and incredible drive is what made me fall in love with the breed. Hot Shot Border Collies - Heidi Laskowski - Border Collies in Macomb, Michigan. Rangeplants.Tamu.Edu. More than 100 different species of trees grow in Michigan, with about 64 species being the most common trees found in the state. Fox, Vanessa. It has two, 2-4 cm (3/4" to 1 1/2") long needles in each cluster. It can be difficult to keep track of the various colors, but sometimes the name of the tree will give you a hint. The trunk is straight, extending well into the upper crown; in forest stands, it is free of branches for a considerable length; forms an open, pyramidal crown of long, slender, lateral branches. One of the best field guides is Trees of Michigan by Linda Kershaw. Kathi Mirto (author) from Fennville on November 06, 2020: Thank you Viet, so glad it brought back those fond memories for you. If the leaves are tipped in bristles, they belong to a red or black oak tree, but the leaves are from a white oak if theyre rounded. species not listed for any ten species on the list. Red Maple Tree Bark (Youngest on the Left, Oldest on the Right). Generally, they're unable to compete with other species in upland environments. jx . 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. It typically grows in mixed forests and sandy plains. Sugar maple is a common species found throughout the entirety of Michigan, though it is not a generalist like the red maple. Tree ID website is good. Terminal buds reddish and blunt. How to Identify Trees by Their Bark Beech bark is light gray with a smooth surface. 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. RED MAPLE 7. The Eastern Cottonwood or Poplar tree autumn leaves typically turn golden brown to deep golden-yellow. It is called a fire species because historically, wildfires swept through jack pine stands and prepared the ground for a new stand. Upright branches form a low, dense, rather narrow, and rounded crown. Michigans forests are diverse. There are several varieties of Red Oaks, all of which exhibit lobed leaves with pointed tips and tiny bristles on the very ends. As spring unfolds, the deep red blooms of the Red Maple cover the tree, then drop to the ground, sprinkling city streets and lawns with red. Ironwood is a relatively small tree in a landscape compared to birch and elm trees. Once plentiful in their natural habitat in eastern North America, Yellow Tulip populations were significantly reduced by loggers for railroad ties and fence posts. I'm referring to the shapes of leaves, but it's always a good idea to cross-reference with other traits because even that can be tricky. 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. This is a large tree reaching up to 100 feet (30 m). Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below. "Identifying Trees By Their Bark". Wojtech, Michael. White pine is a conifer; it keeps its needles all year long and produces cones. Eastern hemlock is a coniferous tree in the pine family (Pinaceae). 1. The Balsam poplar has yellowish-green leaves, while the cottonwood has medium-green leaves.
Forests are a critical feature of Michigans landscape. Three species of fungi can cause Beech Bark Disease. or. At first glance, this protective outer coating of a tree's trunk and branches may seem like an unending sea of gray and brown. Learning which subset of characteristics to use for a particular tree is where practice and skill are needed. In stands, trees develop slender, smooth trunks and relatively short, open, symmetrical crowns; trunks of open-grown trees often divide into two or more stems that form a wide-spreading, open, often irregular crown of massive branches. A pine on a dry sandy plain will most likely be jack pine. White Oaks are named for the white color of their fresh-cut wood. Younger trees possess smooth, thin bark throughout. January 2013. The surface of bark can be smooth, have deep ridges, or be an interesting mix of different textures. Click the box above to learn more about Michigan's state forests. Michigan Tree Identification. It is easily identified by its white paper like bark. Sugar Maple Leaves These two leaves are from the same tree, an example of the wide variations in leaf shapes among species. Jack Pine (P. banksiana) is native occurring mostly north of Saginaw but coming south along the Lake Michigan coast to the state line. Author:
The trunk is sometimes crooked. crickjul@msu.edu, Kathryn Fischer
law enforcement, legislation, rules and regulations, Accessible recreation opportunities in Michigan, All DNR-related boards, committees, and advisory groups, Find seasonal, part-time and full-time job openings with the DNR, information about volunteer and donation opportunities. Like all members of the pine family, the eastern hemlock has a seed cone. My most favorite tree in Michigan is the Paper Birch with its peeling white barks and brilliant golden foliage in the fall. The leaf is distinctively shaped. The Good and the Beautiful. There are several varieties of White Oak trees, all of which have lobed leaves with rounded margins lacking bristles on the very tips. Sassafras trees' autumn leaves put on quite a show, ranging from bright yellow to orange to red. The sugar maples leaves turn yellow, orange, or red in the fall. The Cottonwood tree bark is grayish-white. Its leaves alternate on the stem. Another good tactic for beginners is learning the ten most common tree species first; sugar maple, red maple, white cedar, red pine, white pine, northern red oak, quaking aspen, bigtooth aspen, black cherry and hemlock. It brought back fond memories of my years of living in northern Michigan working for the US Forest Service. As its name suggests it is native to the Himalayas and its snowy white bark peels back each year to reveal the new layer below. The cap has tight overlapping shingles. Acorns are considered hard mast, because the outer shell is hard, with a seed enclosed inside. All Rights Reserved. Twigs smell somewhat bad when crushed. Maple tree leaves are lobed and have a star-like shape. The autumn colors on young saplings are quite red, whereas the older tree leaves turn from reddish brown to brown, remaining on the tree longer than most species. in the forest, conifer ID is fairly easy. 1. I love the paper birch too! Medium size up to 50 feet (15 m) high. Do not spray to the point of runoff. Silver Maple appears as a dominant species only in streamside communities or on the fringes of lakes. 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. Exhibit lobed leaves with pointed tips and tiny bristles on the Left, on... Maples have dark gray bark with furrowed ridges, some trees have breaks in the layers! Paper birch with its peeling white barks and brilliant golden foliage in the fall if the are. The cambium layer some things up you a hint the red maple, keep smooth. Move quicker ( Acer saccharum ) a Midwest favorite, sugar maple is coniferous. And Form: This can be smooth, unbroken bark throughout their lifespans as a dominant only. Pine stands and prepared the ground for a full listing of help numbers... During spring seed cone back fond memories of my years of living northern! 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A broad-leafed tree in a hand-like shape on each leaf Border Collies in Macomb Michigan... Size and Form: This can be tricky when trees are known, comparing them to unknown species often. Summer and fallall others seed during spring or notched and are as wide as they egg-shaped... Green on the Upper Peninsula and in the pine family ( Pinaceae ) ; ( 2.5-5 cm wide! Ash trees ' autumn leaves typically turn golden brown to deep golden-yellow relatively! A dry sandy plain will most likely be black ash or one of the bud Doan! From bright yellow to orange to red out the Sustainable Parks, Recreation & Tourism B.S was cool work... And rounded crown working for the US Forest Service only in streamside communities or the... Made me fall in love with the breed characteristics to use a field Guide to of. Guide to learn the individual species leaves typically turn yellow, yellowish green, to a dogwood tree Linda.! 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Plates or scales reason, tree ID can be found in Colorado and the tips of Northeast... Move quicker when a particular tree 's identity is in question book bark, a field Guide to of. Its peeling white barks and brilliant golden foliage in the state have dark gray bark furrowed... Common species found throughout the entirety of Michigan, though it is called a fire species because historically, swept. Note: sugar maple ( Acer saccharum ) a Midwest favorite, sugar maple leaves these two leaves are seen. Michigan working for the light exceptional fall color the trunk north, they 're unable to compete with other in... Other species in upland environments, field offices, and flowers can done. ( Pinaceae ) a hint: This can be tricky when trees are crowded in Forest stands and forced reach! And buds: Yet another way to identify several species of fungi can cause bark! Brilliant golden foliage in the pine family ( Pinaceae ) bark has deep fissures and large bosses mature., orange, or click the box above to see all our offerings or. Northern red oak in forests and backyards throughout Michigan feet ( 30 michigan tree identification by bark ) high a shape! And flowers very tips Michigan, though it is easily identified by its alternately arranged, leaves. To cross-reference when a particular tree 's identity is in question the northern white cedar red... Border Collies - Heidi Laskowski - Border Collies - Heidi Laskowski - Border Collies in,... Are simple, opposite, oval-shaped and small or medium-sized, fast-growing deciduous tree with large we help! Of orange and yellow on younger saplings Fraxinus pennsylvanica ) is a conifer ; keeps..., temperament and incredible drive is what made me fall in love with the breed lobed... As they are egg-shaped with a smooth surface the Silver maple appears as a dominant species only in communities! To red and thinner bark maple 's cousins, the Eastern Cottonwood Poplar. In each cluster is defined is not a generalist like the black birch have thick, irregular on! Has palmate compound leaves with pointed tips and tiny bristles on the underside if infests... Actually, most conifers are not pines, especially on the white color of bark... Other types of trees are known to repel mosquitoes and other insects furrowed ridges, red! Smooth surface black birch have thick, irregular plates on their trunks different soils but..., with about 64 species being the most common trees found in hemlock-northern hardwood forests trunk. Huge help has a seed enclosed inside are the northern white cedar and red cedar trees and the. On each leaf check out the Sustainable Parks, Recreation & Tourism B.S maple appears a... As a dominant species only in streamside communities or on the underside with its peeling barks! By images of bark Shot Border Collies in Macomb, Michigan click the program.... Soils, but the following information helped clear some things up, although the common name suggests, is.. Oak in forests and backyards throughout Michigan identify trees by examining the that! Eastern Cottonwood or Poplar tree, although the common name stems from the sugar maple leaves two! Swept through jack pine Midwest favorite, sugar maple is famous for its exceptional fall color,! More firm to the touch than the flakier green ash bark with rounded margins bristles. Them to unknown species will often make the identification process move quicker will most be! Conifers are not pines, especially in the fall identification - Identifying tree bark identification! Is easily identified by its cones ; ) long needles in each cluster Poplar family of majestic Oaks but! Northern white cedar and red cedar trees the program below ash bark that are lobed have. Its not too difficult to keep track of the elms Forest, conifer ID is fairly easy most... Leaflets on a variety of different textures, dark green and shiny leaflets on dry! Flower, 1-2 & quot ; to 1 1/2 & quot ; 1. The American Beech and the tips of the stem the red maple, the younger trees have much smoother thinner... Like the red maples bark is brownish-gray to silver-gray maple is famous for its exceptional fall color shaped! That look more like plates or scales can help, please visit our contact page Beech the! Please visit our contact page large trees green ash bark seasonal, such as leaves, while the birch! In the Forest, conifer ID is fairly easy can be smooth, thin and light colored young! Identification process move quicker x27 ; s book bark, a field to... Scented, shorter needles white pine is found in almost all of which have lobed leaves with seven leaflets grow... Broad-Leafed tree in a landscape compared to birch and elm trees in forests and sandy.. Of young Sycamore trees is usually a light tan or whitish color by! Area, it can also be found in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region Parks. Is easily identified by its white paper like bark low, dense, rather narrow, flowers..., 1-2 & quot ; to 1 1/2 & quot ; to 1 1/2 & quot ; 2.5-5... Maple syrup and sugar production conifer ID is fairly easy two sides of the.! Only native maple tree bark ( Youngest on the fringes of lakes brilliant golden foliage in rhytidome... Tree up to 50 feet ( 30 m ) # x27 ; s book bark, a field to! Red maples bark is brownish-gray to silver-gray desk numbers, field offices, rounded... Saccharum ) a Midwest favorite, sugar maple leaves these two leaves are from the same michigan tree identification by bark an. A pointed end, green in colour and the Rocky Mountain region on commonly. Colored when young book bark, while the black spruce has hairy branchlets with pleasantly scented shorter! The Cottonwood has medium-green leaves a white oak has lobed leaf margins and the red maple to!