‘Blue Star’ Singleseed Juniper is a cultivar that is a dwarf conifer, an evergreen, and slow-growing shrub that may reach from 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 4 feet wide. The leaves are blue-gray, awl-shaped needles with a white band that overlap and are densely arranged in whorls of three. The fruits are bluish berry-like seed cones.
Bald cypress’ native range includes the southeastern U.S., where it is the dominant tree in swampy environments. The natural range of the bald cypress is limited by two factors: the need for constant moisture until a sapling root reaches the water table and the need for seasonal flooding to eliminate invading hardwoods. Around water, bald cypress produces characteristic “knees” that grow up from the root system.
The species epithet, occidentalis, means from the Western world.1 Arborvitae was the first North American tree to be introduced to Europe.2 Native Americans made baskets from the roots and used the leaves in tea. Arborvitae are narrow, pyramid shaped trees that come to a point at the top. The foliage of the arborvitae grows in flat sprays with tiny scale-like leaves.
Native to the eastern United States, the tree also attracts butterflies and serves as a caterpillar/larval host. Birch sap can be boiled the same as maple sap, but its syrup is stronger Sweet Birch Tree.’ (like molasses). This tree is characterized by shiny black- brown bark and foliage that turns yellow in the fall months. Considered to have the best fall color among all birch species.
River birch wood is hard, strong and knotty. Ox yokes, wooden shoes and furniture have been made from its wood. River birch was first cultivated in 1736. River birch can be used as a screen or shade tree, and as a street tree with irrigation.
This tree is noted for its white bark, which exfoliates in papery strips. It is also noted for its drooping or pendulous branches. Specific epithet means “hanging” in reference to the growth habit of the branches. Noted for its white bark, which exfoliates in papery strips and for its drooping or pendulous branches.
The trunk and branches of this tree have ridges that look like muscles. Songbirds are attracted to its forked branches, dense crown and tasty seeds. The hard wood of American hornbeam is used to make golf clubs, tool handles and mallets. The bark of the American Hornbeam is irregularly fluted which gives the tree the distinctive muscular appearance.
Willow oak’s common name comes from the shape of the leaves and its specific epithet, phellos, is the ancient Greek name for the cork oak, Quercus suber. The willow Oak can be distinguished by its smaller and much more narrowly elliptic leave. It has a distinguishing combination of bristle-tipped leaves, narrowly elliptic leaves, and relatively large tree size.
It draws its name from its ash-colored bark. White oak wood has been traditionally used to make baskets and is widely used for making barrels for aging bourbon. The white oak has flakier lighter bark than Swamp White Oak and a darker leaf underside.
Typically, the swamp white oak is found in swampy areas, lowlands, floodplains, and along streams and lakes. The epithet, bicolor, references the twotone or two-colors of the upper and lower surface of the leaves. The swamp white oak has less flakier darker bark than the White Oak and a lighter leaf underside.