Native Trees of the Midwest: Identification, Wildlife Value, and Landscaping Use

By Sally S. Weeks, Harmon P. Weeks Jr. and George R. Parker

Native Trees of the Midwest is a definitive guide to identifying trees in Indiana and surrounding states, written by three leading forestry experts. Descriptive text explains how to identify every species in any season and color photographs show all important characteristics. Not only does the book allow the user to identify trees and learn of their ecological and distributional attributes, but it also presents an evaluation of each species relative to its potential ornamental value for those interested in landscaping. Since tree species have diverse values to wildlife, an evaluation of wildlife uses is presented with a degree of detail available nowhere else. The revised and expanded second edition contains a chapter on introduced species that have become naturalized and invasive throughout the region. All accounts have been reviewed and modifications made when necessary to reflect changes in taxonomy, status, or wildlife uses. Keys have been modified to incorporate introduced species.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Purdue University Press
• Release date: Jan 7, 2011
• ISBN: 9781612490014

Book preview

Native Trees of the Midwest

Native Trees of the Midwest

Identification, Wildlife Values, and Landscaping Use

Revised and Expanded Second Edition

Sally S. Weeks

Harmon P. Weeks, Jr.

George R. Parker

West Lafayette, Indiana / Purdue University Press

Copyright 2010 by Purdue University. All rights reserved. Printed in China.

Range maps by Michael A. Black.

Drawings in the glossary section are taken from C. S. Sargent, Silva of North America (Boston, New York, Houghton, Mifflin and Co., 1890–1902).

Photos taken by Sally Weeks unless otherwise noted.

ISBN: 978-1-55753-572-6

The Library of Congress has cataloged the earlier edition as follows:

Weeks, Sally S., 1956-

Native trees of the Midwest : identification, wildlife values, and landscaping use / Sally S. Weeks, Harmon P. Weeks, Jr., George R. Parker.

    p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

 ISBN 1-55753-299-0

1. Trees—Middle West—Identification. 2. Trees—Indiana—Identification. 3. Trees—Middle West—Pictorial works. 4. Trees—Indiana—Pictorial works. I. Weeks, Harmon Patrick, 1944-II. Parker, George R. III. Title.

QK128.W45 2005

582.16’0977—dc22

2005002889

Contents

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Introduction

Illustrated Glossary

Conifers

Evergreens: pines, hemlock, white-cedar, redcedar

Deciduous: larch, bald cypress

Hardwoods

Opposite branching, simple leaves: maple, privet, dogwood

Opposite branching, compound leaves: ash, boxelder, buckeye

Whorled branching: catalpa

Alternate branching, simple leaves: oak, beech, chestnut, cottonwood, aspen, willow, hophornbeam, hornbeam, birch, sassafras, elm, hackberry, mulberry, magnolia, tulip, pawpaw, sweetgum, sycamore, crabapple, cherry, plum, serviceberry, hawthorn, redbud, basswood, blackgum, sourwood, persimmon

Alternate branching, compound leaves: devils-walkingstick, hickory, walnut, locust, yellowwood, coffeetree

Alternate branching, evergreen leaves: holly

Introduced Species

Keys

Introduced Species

Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Bibliography

Index

About the Authors

Preface to the Second Edition

Since the publication of the first edition of Native Trees of the Midwest in 2005, we have realized that it would be advantageous to include accounts for some non-native, introduced species that may be confused with natives. So for this second edition, we have added twelve species not native to North America that have become problematic here and elsewhere. Although some introduced species behave themselves, others, such as those we have included in this edition, have become invasive, escaping into the wild and potentially negatively impacting native species and their habitats.

In addition, there are scattered updates, corrections, and photo editions, as well as revisions to the keys to incorporate the introduced species.

Preface to the First Edition

Indiana is in the heart of the Midwest, yet its diverse flora is a rich mixture of species of northern and southern affinities. In northern Indiana, the tree species are more familiar to those living in the Lake States, and in southern Indiana, many southern trees reach the northern-most limits of their ranges. There are approximately 100 species of trees native to Indiana. Their ranges extend throughout most of the Midwest and into the Midsouth and the Lake States. It is for this reason that we chose a broad scope for this field guide, including not only all native trees of Indiana but those of the surrounding states as well.

It is our intention with this book to introduce the student, layperson and professional to the native trees of Indiana and surrounding states by providing hard-to-find color images and updated nomenclature from previous, state-specific field guides. These guides include Trees of Indiana, by Charles C. Deam, Forest Trees of Illinois, by Robert H. Mohlenbrock, The Woody Plants of Ohio, by E. Lucy Braun, Michigan Trees, by Burton V. Barnes and Warren H. Wagner, Jr., and Trees and Shrubs of Kentucky, by Mary E. Wharton and Roger W. Barbour. This is by no means a substitute for these classics, but rather another source of reference.

Sometimes our decision on what constitutes a tree may differ from the opinion of other authors, but regional size variation played a role in our selections. Species with a single stem (usually) or with a trunk diameter of 3 inches or more, and a height of 20 feet were included. Introduced species have not been included, but we have provided a list of commonly planted non-native trees

Trees in this guide are separated into color-coded sections. The first major division is into conifers and hardwoods. The conifers are separated into evergreen and deciduous; the hardwood classifications are more complex and include separation by leaf type and branching pattern. Each species has color photographs illustrating important features and a written description of these features. General information is provided on size, form and habitat of each species; some history and commercial uses of many trees is included as well. Information on wildlife uses and landscaping value is given for all species. There are Quick ID and Similar Species Distinction boxes for each species that give easy-to-find comparisons and important keys to aid in identification. We also provide winter and summer keys.

A single field guide to the trees of any area is not going to provide all the information available on the included species. This book is no exception. Additional information on trees in our area may be found in several quality books cited in our Bibliography.

Introduction

Tree identification is a fun, yet challenging avocation to some, and a necessary component of the job for others. Either way, acquiring skills in identification requires dedication, because the most effective way to learn the trees is through repetition. The more you see trees, particularly in their natural environs, with all of their variability, the more adept you become at their identification. One important thing to remember—most species can be determined by just a few key distinguishing characteristics.

There are many characteristics that aid in classifying a tree to the proper species. Both winter and summer keys have been provided to direct you to a specific group of trees or a particular species. And though we have attempted to use a minimum amount of technical terminology, there are some terms that we cannot do without. The following illustrations and discussion of the specific features and characteristics of trees should be studied in order to better understand tree identification.

Nomenclature

Nomenclature, or the naming of trees, is an important part of the study of trees. Scientific (Latin) names and common names are listed for all species; the Latin name is italicized and is recognized worldwide. The common names vary from region to region and are often colloquial. For instance, there are 30 known common names for the common southern longleaf pine, Pinus palustris, but only one recognized and accepted scientific name. These common, or vernacular, names usually result from the way a tree species is utilized by people in a given region of the country. It is always helpful to learn both common and scientific names.

The scientific names in this book generally follow the taxonomy used in Harlow and Harrar’s Textbook of Dendrology, 9th edition (Hardin et al. 2001). There are sometimes changes in the scientific names, usually as a result of a historically accepted name taking precedence over a current one. Prior names are often mentioned in the text.

Classification

The classification, or grouping, of woody plants into categories is a hierarchy, with each level becoming more unique as they are separated from the previous. The major groups dealt with in tree identification are the family, genus and species. As an example, black oak (the common name) has a specific name Quercus velutina. The genus is Quercus; the species name (the specific epithet) is velutina; and it is in the family Fagaceae. There are many members of the Fagaceae, or Beech family, and there are quite a few members of the genus Quercus; however, there is only one specific species named Quercus velutina, because it has features unlike any other tree species, and a few characteristics unlike any other oak. So the species is a very specific level in the hierarchy. The genus is a broader group covering many similar trees, in this case, all the oaks. The family is an even broader group that encompasses many trees with similar floristic characteristics, including the oaks, the beeches, and the chestnuts.

Range Maps

Range or distribution maps have been provided as a general key to the historical range of all our native species. Some species, however, are flexible in their site requirements and climate constraints, and have spread to a degree beyond the designated areas on the maps. Still others have been disseminated by humans and wildlife, and have become naturalized in areas well beyond historical ranges. The ranges of many rare species with specific site requirements have virtually remained unchanged for a century.

Wildlife Values

We have included rather detailed accounts of wildlife values in the text for each species. This information comes principally from the observations of the authors, and, unlike information that is generally available, covers not only food-production characteristics but also value as cover. The classic work in this area is the book by Martin et al. (1951), which has been used as a major source of information by many authors. We used this reference as well, but tempered our interpretations with personal observations, since the original authors discussed values of plant genera rather than of individual species. Species within the same genus may have strikingly different values to wildlife, and generalizations, thus, are often incorrect.

We have avoided enumeration of wildlife species that use various trees, since such numbers are largely subjective and biased. However, we have often given examples of wildlife species from the Midwest that frequently use a given tree species in a particular way, but such lists should by no means be considered all-inclusive. For additional information, the reader is referred to other books that we referenced and found useful; these include Halls (1977), Harlow (1942), Leopold et al. (1998), Miller and Miller (1999), and Sternberg and Wilson (2004).

Landscaping Value

The notion of using native trees as ornamentals seems to be taboo to many, and nurseries supply what is in demand. Unfortunately, the demand often seems to be for something new and different, and usually exotic. However, in recent years, some nurseries have begun to recognize the importance of planting native trees and are offering a limited number of species. One of our native trees can be a logical choice when selecting an ornamental for any landscape. They are well-adapted to our climate and tend to be more disease- and insect-resistant than exotics. There is virtually something for everybody—they come in all shapes and sizes. The information provided for each species will give the reader an idea of its requirements and what it will give you in return. Fall color, shade qualities, strength, and longevity are some details discussed. For more information, several suggested readings include Hightshoe (1988), Dirr (1998), and Sternberg and Wilson (2004).

Several terms that are commonly used need to be discussed here. Cultivars (derived from cultivated variety) and varieties are basically the same, and are a subdivision of a species. They are horticultural variants that are usually developed from a wild tree and breed true, but are maintained under cultivation by sexual or asexual means. Form is also a variant of a species that has a subtle difference from the true species, such as a different color flower, but does not breed true. They are usually derived from a wild plant and can be maintained in cultivation by asexual reproduction.

Quick ID and Similar Species Distinctions boxes are provided for each species. The Quick ID information is a condensed list of the most commonly recognized characteristics used to identify that particular species. Similar Species Distinctions offer those species most closely resembling, or those most often confused with the species, and provides clues for distinguishing among them.

Factors Influencing the Distribution of Midwestern Tree Species

This field guide concentrates on those tree species found in the region generally known as the Midwest, with its epicenter roughly located in the northwestern corner of Indiana; however, most of the species included are widely distributed throughout the geographic areas known as the Central Hardwood and Lake States regions. These regions include over 400 million acres, extending from the prairies of eastern Nebraska to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Ohio and from northern Tennessee to northern Michigan.

The general distribution of tree species within the region is influenced by east-west moisture gradients and north-south temperature gradients. Lower annual precipitation in the west supports a complex of oak and hickory species on uplands and riparian forests of more mesic species. Species in the north and eastern part of the region tend to be more mesophytic, such as beech, maple, and basswood. Conifer species, such as balsam fir, white spruce, and red pine, become more important in the cooler regions of northern Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Tree species with more southern affinities, such as southern red oak or yellow buckeye, occur southward from the southernmost tier of counties in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

Embedded within the above climatic influence are such factors as slope, aspect and position, and soil character. Slope is most important in species distribution from southern Indiana and Ohio to Tennessee. South-facing slopes and ridges tend to be drier than north-facing slopes and minor stream bottoms, supporting oak and hickory species. North-facing slopes and minor stream bottoms usually have more mesic species, such as beech, maple, and tulip-poplar. Soil parent material is also an important factor influencing tree distribution in this part of the region. Limestone soils tend to be richer in species than sandstone soils. Certain species, such as Ohio buckeye, black maple, and blue ash, are more likely to be found on soils with limestone parent material. Specialized site conditions, such as shallow soils and cliffs, support less common tree species; examples are blackjack oak on barrens and eastern hemlock on cliffs.

The relatively flat landscape of southwestern Indiana and southern Illinois supports a complex of species with more southern affinities. Distribution depends primarily on soil drainage and proximity to large rivers. Species such as overcup oak, pecan and bald cypress reach the northern limit of their distributions in this area. Specialized site conditions of terraces and lake plains along the Wabash and Ohio rivers support flatwoods communities dominated by such species as post oak. Species of oak mixed with shortleaf pine occur on dry uplands of southern Illinois and Missouri.

Soil condition is also important in tree distribution within the northern, glaciated part of the region. This relatively flat topography is a complex of mesic glacial till interspersed with wet-depressional sites that vary in size and depth. Wet sites support distinct complexes of species such as bur oak, swamp white oak, and black ash, while adjacent uplands, a few inches higher in elevation, support typical mesic species of maple, beech, and ash. Specialized areas include swamps, bogs, and sand dunes that support species such as eastern larch, red maple, and eastern white pine. The species composition of these sites shifts further north in northern Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Red, white and jack pine species primarily occur on sandy soils, while northern hardwoods of sugar maple, yellow birch, and American basswood are found on loamy soils. Bogs support black spruce and eastern larch, while swamps include species such as northern white-cedar and black ash.

Disturbance from human activities has been widespread across the region since the 1400s, when Native Americans were most abundant in the region. Activities such as land clearing, drainage, grazing, and fire, common from the mid-1800s to the 1940s as Europeans colonized the area, have had the greatest influence on the composition of forests present today. In the southern part of the region, ridges, stream valleys, and many slopes were cleared and farmed. Grazing on remaining lands left forests with little understory. By the 1930s these lands were abandoned because of severe soil erosion and large areas were returned to public ownership to form state and federal parks and forests.

The more level northern parts of the Central Hardwood Region continued to be cleared for intensive agriculture, so that remaining forests exist as small woodlands or narrow riparian strips along streams. These forests cover about 6 to 10 percent of the land, but are rich in species. A typical 20-acre woodland may have 20 to 30 tree species.

Increased protection of remaining forests from fire and grazing since the 1940s in the Central Hardwood Region has allowed forest understories to redevelop. However, tree species composition is different in this understory from the oak and hickory species that became more widespread across the region following disturbances. A typical woodland is likely to have various oak and hickory species in the overstory and more shade-tolerant species, such as sugar maple or American elm, in the understory. The eventual dominance of more shade-tolerant species, such as sugar maple, will lead to a reduction in species diversity within these forests.

Much of the land in the northern Lakes States Region has returned to forest cover following the extensive logging and clearing for farming in the late 1800s. Historical fires following logging greatly increased the widespread occurrence of quaking aspen and paper birch across the region. Much of this area has been transferred to public ownership.

Illustrated Glossary

There are many features used to determine the species of a given tree. First and foremost, once you have established that a particular tree is not a conifer, you need to determine whether the leaves and branches are arranged in an opposite or an alternate fashion. This is an important feature to recognize, because if your specimen is opposite, you have ruled out roughly 75% of all the possibilities.

Leaves, if available, are highly variable but are usually a useful feature for proper identification; however, they are only available during the growing season (unless the species is evergreen!). There are many shapes, sizes and textures of leaves. Leaves are categorized by whether they are simple or compound. Simple leaves are attached directly to the twig, either beside or on top of a bud, whereas compound leaves have various numbers of leaflets attached to a stalk (rachis) that is attached to the twig where a bud occurs. The stalk that attaches a simple leaf to a twig is called a petiole. In our native trees, compound leaves are either singly (pinnately) compound, doubly (bipinnately) compound, or palmately compound. To determine whether your specimen is a simple leaf or a leaflet from a compound leaf, look for a bud at the base of the petiole or rachis.

The margins of leaves vary greatly. They can be finely or coarsely toothed (serrate) or have wavy or entire margins. Species like oaks have lobes, which are like appendages on the leaf, and sinuses between the lobes.

Leaf shape is often used to identify a tree. Several common shapes include ovate, oblong, and lanceolate. The tip (apex) and base also vary in shape from species to species, and are useful in identification. The unique patterns of variation in leaf venation also can be used as an identification aid.

Buds and twigs are some of the best features to aid in identification, simply because they are less variable than leaves. Whether leaves are available or not, buds and twigs are usually helpful, and present nearly year-round. Twigs have several characteristics that are important to note, including leaf scars with their differing number and patterns of bundle scars, lenticels, stipule scars, thorn-like structures, and pith. These characters vary from genus to genus, and even among species within a genus. While they are usually unique to a species, they are often similar enough to other closely related species to group it with a given taxon, such as the oaks.

Leaf scars are found on a twig where a leaf was attached. They are best observed after a leaf has fallen naturally. Within the scar are one to many bundle scars, which mark the spots where nutrients and water were passed to the leaf. Lenticels are raised slits, usually pale in color, that are breathing sites for the twig. Stipules are small, leaf-like appendages that are usually shed with the leaves, leaving a scar near the top of the nodes. Some stipule scars completely encircle the twig, such as those of the magnolias. Some twigs have thorns, prickles or spines. They can be scattered along the twig or paired at the nodes. Pith is the center or core of the twig. It is often substantial, and colored; and it may be solid, diaphragmed or chambered.

Buds are usually covered with a varying number of scales. There can be a single scale, as in the willows, or numerous, imbricate (overlapping) scales, as in the oaks. Some buds, like those of the tulip, have valvate (non-overlapping) scales. Still others like bitternut hickory have naked buds, meaning that there are no bud scales. There are various textures and colors of buds and their scales.

Buds at the ends of twigs are classified as being either terminal or pseudoterminal. A true terminal bud is positioned exactly on the tip of the twig; a pseudoterminal or false terminal bud is a lateral bud that has taken the position of a terminal after the branch tip is shed in the fall. You can usually distinguish between the two by the presence of a branch scar beside the pseudoterminal bud.

Flowers are rarely used as a distinguishing feature in trees. Compared to those of herbaceous plants, they are often inconspicuous and plain. Within some groups of trees, for instance the oaks, there are no recognizable differences among the flowers of the many native species, so identification is not possible simply by that feature. Some tree species, however, such as the magnolias, catalpa, and buckeyes have large, showy flowers that attract attention. The conifers (gymnosperms) have a very different flower structure than the more advanced angiosperms. A basic flower structure of an angiosperm is illustrated.

Fruit is an excellent characteristic for distinguishing among taxa. Conifers produce cones, oaks produce acorns, and hickories produce nuts. There are many kinds of fruits, some fleshy, some nearly woody in nature. The earliest fruit to ripen in our area is that of the soft maples and elms. Most fruit matures in the late summer and fall, which is the best time to find it lying on the ground beneath the trees. Often parts of the fruit, such as acorn caps and hickory nut husks, are durable, and remain on the ground for a year or more, giving valuable clues to a tree’s identity.

Bark is another feature that is variable and yet can be of great value in identification. Over time, it changes color, shape and thickness and varies from tree to tree within a species. A sugar maple in the northern-most extent of its range can look amazingly different from one in the southern parts of its range. It takes time and practice to consistently recognize a tree simply from the bark, but it is fun and challenging. Several key features of bark to note are the ridges and their texture, thickness and pattern, and the fissures that separate the ridges.

Tree form is often a useful tool in identification. Size and shape can be a good classification feature of species, but learning this highly variable trait takes practice and lots of field experience. Open-grown trees usually have shorter trunks and wider crowns, compared to the tall, clear trunks and much smaller crowns of forest-grown trees. Young trees often have a much different form than older trees of the same species.

Site is an important factor to consider when trying to determine the species of an individual tree. Recognizing the habitat where a tree is growing can eliminate many species that should not occur there. If you are on the top of a ridge, you would not expect to find swamp chestnut oak, because its moisture requirement would not be met there. Many species are specialists in their needs and are restricted to specific habitats. Therefore, some knowledge of the soil and moisture requirements of our native trees is helpful.

CONIFERS

Evergreen

balsam fir

Abies balsamea (Linnaeus) Miller

Family: Pinaceae

Quick ID: evergreen conifer; rounded, resin-covered, clustered (often 3) buds at tip of twig; flat, blunt-tipped needles that are dark green on top with 2 silvery bands below; smooth, gray bark with raised blisters

Balsam fir is the common fir of the Upper Lake States and eastern and central Canada. Its resin blisters along the trunk are fun to pop. The abundant resin is used to make varnish. It is commonly grown for Christmas trees.

Form and Size: Balsam fir is a medium-sized tree to about 60 feet tall. It has a symmetrical form that is very dense with a spire-like crown when open-grown. It is relatively fast-growing but short-lived; a tree 150 years old is an old tree. Balsam fir is shade-tolerant.

Habitat: Balsam fir is a Northwoods species that grows best in moist, cool environments. It is usually found in mixed stands with numerous hardwoods and spruces in the upper Midwest and the Northeast. It is commonly found in swamps or adjacent uplands.

Wildlife Uses: Balsam fir is an important nesting tree for Northwoods songbirds, from chipping sparrows when it’s small to blackburnian warblers when mature. When planted as an ornamental in suburban yards, it provides similar benefits, attracting nesting robins and mourning doves. Its foliage is an important winter staple for Upper Lake States white-tailed deer, moose, snowshoe hare, and porcupines, although ornamental plantings in the lower Midwest do not seem to be equally attractive to deer. Its seeds are used sparingly by small mammals and birds.

Landscaping Value: The dark green, dense, fragrant foliage and spire-like crown add appeal to any landscape. Hardy to Zone 2, balsam fir’s greatest drawback in the Midwest is its inability to tolerate heat and drought. It is also sensitive to salt but tolerates ozone. It prefers acid soils. Several insects and diseases can affect the species where it is plentiful. There are no cultivars available and it is not readily available commercially. It can be easily transplanted because of its shallow root system. Fraser fir (A. fraseri), the only other fir native to the eastern U.S., is commonly planted in the Midwest for use as a Christmas tree.

Similar Species Distinctions:

—Fraser fir (A. fraseri) is a high-elevation species of the southern Appalachians and is similar in every respect. Its cone scale bracts, however, are usually longer than the scales and reflexed (shorter in balsam fir). An intermediate form between the two has been found.

—Eastern spruces have 4-sided, sharply pointed needles and scaly buds with cones that remain intact.

Balsam fir needles are flat and up to 1 inch in length. They are dark green above with 2 silvery lines below. The tips are nearly rounded, not sharp at all. Buds are clustered, commonly in 3s. They are rounded and covered with an opaque, hardened resin.

Cones sit upright in the upper half of the tree and are up to 4 inches long. They are greenish to reddish purple and are often resinous. Cones ripen in the fall and shatter, leaving a central spike that remains on the tree throughout the winter.

Balsam fir flowers are single-sexed but on the same tree. Females (right) are greenish with numerous bracts and are in the upper part of the tree. Males (left) are purplish and in clusters along the twig and found in the middle of the tree.

Mature bark is similar to elephant hide with gray, wrinkled skin. With age it can become irregularly scaled. When young it has raised blisters that often ooze sticky, fragrant resin.

eastern redcedar

Juniperus virginiana Linnaeus

Family: Cupressaceae

Quick ID: evergreen conifer; short, dark green scale-like mature leaves and sharp, needle-like leaves on new growth; small, round blue-gray fruit; reddish or gray shreddy bark; wood has strong odor

The name redcedar is one of those botanical misnomers that cause a great deal of confusion. It is actually a juniper, as there are no true cedars native to North America. Its wood is used to line cedar chests because its odor repels moths.

Form and Size: Eastern redcedar is a small to medium-sized tree, often reaching 50 feet in height. It is generally slow-growing and long-lived, easily surviving for 300 years. There are 2 general forms. Young trees are typically slender and columnar, while mature trees have a more inverted pyramidal shape, one in which the tree becomes broader at the top.

Habitat: Eastern redcedar is common throughout the Midwest in fencerows and along roadsides, in abandoned fields and pastures, and in dry, open woods. It is often associated with limestone outcroppings. It is adaptable to almost any site, except those that are poorly drained, and rapidly invades abandoned pasture lands that are protected from fire. Once hardwoods encroach, redcedar is eliminated, because it is intolerant of shade.

Wildlife Uses: As the most common native conifer in the lower Midwest, the eastern redcedar has important wildlife cover values. In winter, small songbirds such as juncos and tree sparrows roost nightly in small old-field trees; during the summer, the trees provide concealment for the nests of many species, including mourning doves, robins, and cardinals. The berries of redcedar are eaten by small mammals and songbirds, including the cedar waxwing, which derives its name from its preference for this fruit. The foliage is not highly preferred by herbivores but is a consistent component of the winter diet of white-tailed deer.

Landscaping Value: Hardy to Zone 3, redcedar is an attractive addition to any landscape. Its blue-gray berries against the dark green foliage in fall and winter are striking. It is tolerant of many soils types and moisture regimes and is resistant to salt, air pollution, and drought. There are many cultivars available, including some columnar varieties. They are easily transplanted because of a fairly shallow root system. It is the alternate host to cedar-apple rust, which leaves brown spots on apple leaves and fruits.

Similar Species Distinctions:

—There are no other tree-size junipers native to the eastern U.S.

—Northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis) needles most closely resemble redcedar but are in flattened sprays.

There are 2 forms of redcedar needles. Juvenile needles are extremely sharp and needle-like. Mature needles are scale-like, flat and overlapping.

The small, pea-sized fruit is bluish white and firm with 1 or 2 tiny seeds. It ripens in late summer after a single growing season. Fruit often persists throughout the winter.

A common pyramidal form of eastern redcedar.

The yellowish pollen cones are usually terminal and look like buds covered with scales. The female conelets are similar, but their scales flare back during pollination, and somewhat resemble a true flower. Flowers appear in spring, usually on separate trees.

Mature bark is brownish gray and thin with vertical, shreddy, fibrous strips.

white spruce

Picea glauca (Moench) Voss

Family: Pinaceae

Quick ID: evergreen conifer; 4-sided, green to bluish green, short needles; twigs with peg-like projections where needles attach; no bracts at base of terminal; cones up to 2½ inches long; bark thin and scaly, with pink inner bark

White spruce is common in the Upper Lake States and throughout Canada. It is affectionately known as cat spruce, because standing beside one or crushing its needles will usually present you with a strong odor of cat urine! Native Americans used its roots for lacing birchbark canoes and making baskets.

Form and Size: White spruce is a medium-sized tree, commonly reaching 70 feet in height. It has a moderate life span, surviving 200 or more years. Mature trees have a form that resembles a cone with gaps between the large limbs. It often has a spire-like form as well. Foliage is dense and green to bluish green.

Habitat: White spruce occurs