Tree Trail Project 25-30

Tree Descriptions 25-30 (Eagle Scout Project by George Atkinson)

25) Mockernut Hickory (Carya tomentosa)
The Mockernut Hickory is a deciduous tree that can grow between 50 - 60 feet tall (100 at its highest). It has shiny yellowish-green leaves, which turn a yellow-brown colour in the fall. The Mockernut is found across the United States, except in the far southeastern corner of the country. Common uses of this tree include lumber, pulpwood, charcoal, and other fuelwood products. This tree produces edible nuts, and is also used for tool handles that require a high shock resistance.

26) Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
The Sweetgum is a deciduous tree commonly found in Eastern North America, and commonly grows 50-70 feet high. The 6-10 cm leaves have 5 sharply pointed palmate lobes, and change from a rich dark green to a vibrant red, purple, or orange in the fall. The Sweetgum produces distinctive hard, spiky fruit, which is globular in shape. Research suggests that the seeds of this tree may be a renewable source of shikimic acid. The Sweetgum is one of the most important commercial hardwoods in the Southeastern United States. The tree excretes a ‘gum resin’ when wounded, which was once used in chewing gum and medicine.

27) Sassafra (Sassagras albidum)

The Sassafras is a deciduous tree that grows between 30 to 60 feet tall. Native to eastern North America, this tree produces leaves 4-7 inches in length in a variety of shapes, including ovate, mitten, and three-lobed. These leaves are bright green throughout spring and summer, then turn into vibrant yellows, reds, and purples during autumn. Multiple culinary uses have been discovered using different parts of the tree, like brewing sassafras tea from its bark and using oil from its roots to make root beer flavoring.

28) Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinus)
The Chestnut Oak deciduous tree native to the eastern United States. The oak has long leaves, and a very sturdy trunk. Its height can vary, but the national champion is 144 feet tall, and is located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee). It is commonly used for wooden boats, furniture and barrels. This tree can live unharmed for almost 400 years.

29) Sawtooth Oak (Quercus acutissima)

This fast-growing, deciduous tree is native to Asia and is known for its distinctly serrated “sawtooth” leaves, contributing to the name. This oak tree can mature to be very large, reaching around 70 feet tall. Sawtooth Oaks produce acorns at a very young age, making them beneficial to wildlife as a source of food. These trees also provide good amounts of shade, which leads to their use in the landscaping industry. With a pyramidal canopy shape, these trees prefer full sun for them to thrive and mature to their maximum potential.

30) White Ash (Fraxinus americana)
The White Ash is a deciduous tree with the potential to grow 60 to 80 feet tall. It tends to appear in a triangular shape as a sapling and grows to have a more rounded crown. They have apetalous purple flower clusters throughout April and May. Female trees drop winged seeds steadily through the fall and winter seasons. Its leaves are compound with about seven oval-shaped leaflets per stem, ranging from about 3 to 5 inches long. The leaves are dark green on top and whitest green underneath, and turn yellow with a purple shading in the fall. The White Ash has grey, diamond-shaped bark which can be used for oars, tool handles, sports equipment, and furniture.

Tree Descriptions 31 - 36