Ja sper Highl ands
Autumn Nature Tour
with
Mark Bray
10/24/2014
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Jasper Highlands
A Guide to the Flora of Jasper Mountain
The Trees
Deciduous Trees (leaves are shed annually).....
The Oaks (genus Quercus)
There are so many oaks! To date, I have identified nine species on the Plateau....
Here are a few of the most common.......
Red Oak (two subspecies...southern and northern). Southern........’turkey track’.
The Southern and Northern Red Oak are common on the Plateau –
Tall trees with wide spreading crowns, the bark in large trees is often
striated (striped appearance) – a good field mark. Similar species
are the Scarlet and Pin Oak. The former, as the name implies, is one
of the few oaks that are colorful in autumn.
Chestnut Oak – habitat specific to the Plateau (large inedible acorns)
– name comes from the leaf resemblance to the Chestnut tree.
Black Oak – more common in the valleys – inner bark orange
White Oak – rounded leaf – scaly gray bark – acorns are a
favorite of deer and turkeys
Blackjack Oak – ...large leaves have a comparatively heavy
cuticle, hairs on lateral
extensions....40’- 50’.
Post Oak – thick cuticle – odd, rounded leaf with wide
‘paddles’ ...to 50’
Information on how the Oaks give rise to more Oaks....
Oak trees produce both male and female flowers on the tips
of their uppermost branches, which are relatively unnoticed.
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Pollen from the male flower fertilizes the female ovary, which develops into an acorn. The
petals and sepals of the ovary fuse to form the acorn’s top, or cap. The acorn falls off the tree
in late summer or early fall, and under the right conditions will germinate and grow into a new
oak seedling.
Spring Growth
Like other deciduous trees that lose their leaves each fall, oaks go through a dormant period
during the winter. As the days grow longer and warmer, and winter snows turn to spring
showers, oak trees wake up and experience a surge of new growth. Leaf and flower buds
open; and once fertilization has taken place, acorns will emerge from the female flowers that
are found primarily near the top of the tree. Unlike the female flowers, which are small and
nondescript, male oak flowers are very visible as long yellow-green fronds, called catkins, hang
from the tips of some of the tree’s branches. The flowers themselves are small and run along
the catkin’s middle stem, and they release their supply of pollen in about two weeks.
Pollen Facts
The pollen drop lasts about four days, according to the University of Tennessee Extension. It is
this yellowish dust that is seen on car hoods and deck floors, and causes problems for people
with seasonal allergies. Heavy rains and humid conditions may delay the release of pollen and
affect the number of acorns produced on a single tree. Other weather conditions, such as a
late-spring frost, can also severely impact a season’s acorn crop, which in part explains why
backyards are littered with fallen acorns some years and not others.
Hickories (Genus Carya)....
all turn brilliant yellow in autumn
Mockernut Hickory (at least 7 leaflets)
Bitternut Hickory (at least 7 leaflets...lives to 200
years...yellow winter buds)
Pignut Hickory (usually 5 leaflets - some limbs
have a ‘twisted’ appearance - bark smooth in
young to mid-age...somewhat scaly in older trees)
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Blackgum – burgundy/red in autumn – fruit (deep blue) important to wildlife
Sweetgum – star-shaped leaf – burgundy in autumn – prickly ball common on the ground
Sourgum – red/burgundy in autumn – deeply furrowed bark – tassels very prominent in late
spring
Yellow Poplar (Tuliptree) – Our state tree – grows rapidly – to 90’
Red Maple – Acer rubrum - some red/some yellow in autumn – one of the most common trees
on the Plateau. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) and Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) found in
the valley – rarely on the Plateau
Wild (Black) Cherry
Sassafras – another that turns yellow in autumn – three distinct leaf shapes on same tree
Black Locust – thorns – compound leaf – wood used for fence posts
Flowering Dogwood – brilliant white flowers prior to the arrival of the leaves in spring –
common in the Tennessee mountains - deep red in autumn
Eastern Redbud – heart-shaped leaf....blooms just prior to Dogwoods in spring
Pinxter Flower (Flame Azalea) – you will only notice it in spring (usually April/May) – obscure
woodland shrub otherwise......
Sycamore – bark white in older specimens – usually near water (I have seen several on the
northern part of Jasper Mountain) – seed encased in a ‘ball’ that dangles from a stem
Pawlonia – The Princess Tree – Common in places – pale blue flowers in spring...grows rapidly
– import from the Far East
White Ash – have seen them on the eastern escarpment – compound leaf – baseball bats
Sumacs – three species – Genus Rhus – small trees – typically not more than 20’- smooth
thin bark – pinnately compound leaf – Rhus glabra (Smooth Sumac) most common on Jasper
Highlands. Staghorn Sumac also found. Poison Sumac – one of the South’s most dangerous
trees is thankfully quite rare in our area.
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Winged Elm – nondescript tree with odd phalange type growth on twigs and limbs. I have seen
them on both the east and west (# 152 - # 151 area) brow of Jasper Highlands.
Persimmon – not common – known for its fruit which ripens (orange when ripe) after first frost
– anyone eaten the fruit?
Black Walunt – Juglans nigra – more common in the valleys surrounding the Plateau – leaves
among the first to turn in autumn (yellow) – among the latest to leaf-out in spring
Pecan – I have seen several in the valley below the Plateau. Similar to the hickories. This is
about as far north as this species grows.
American Beech – common on parts of the Plateau – a slow growing tree with a medium sized
serrated (toothed) leaf that turns yellow in autumn. Bark smooth in adult trees. A favorite
of raccoons and other woodland mammals...as lower sections of older trees often become
hollow. The mast (small nut) is a favorite food of wildlife.
The Understor y
shrub like deciduous species.....
• Alders (usually near water...many have thorns) - Witch-Hazel and Common
Alder in this group
• Huckleberry – to 4’or so...berry similar to Blueberry
• Wild Blueberry
• Mountain Laurel – an evergreen that blooms in late April/early May
• Hawthorns – small trees, most have thorns – several species have white
blooms in spring
• Viburnum
• Downy Serviceberry (Shadbush)....first to bloom in spring – to 30’ – not as
common as Dogwood
Note: most deciduous species are monoecious, a few diecious. The latter denotes species that have
both pistillate (female) and staminate (male) flowers.
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Evergreens...
American Holly – wild ones have red berries too
Mountain Laurel
Eastern Red Cedar – A classic – inner wood is reddish and aromatic – a favorite of whittlers
Conifers (cone-bearing trees)....
The Pines...Genus Pinus
Shortleaf Pine (Yellow Pine) – the one you see most on Jasper Mountain – adults to 40’
Virginia Pine – common – often forms thickets
White Pine – the most pleasing to the eye of the three pines on Jasper Mountain – to 80’
Eastern Hemlock – Tsuga Canadensis – one of a kind – common on the Plateau in places but
have not seen one in Jasper Highlands. I hope to discover this species on the northern part of
Jasper Mountain.
The Wildflowers
Daisy Family or Aster Family
(Family Compositae or Asteraceae)........
There are so many species found here!
Black-eyed Susan (dark center...yellow petals)
A poster with 12 different species
of Asteraceae from the Asteroideae,
Tickseed Sunflower (yellow blooms late summer/early fall)
Cichorioideae and Carduoideae
Ox-Eye Daisy (yellow center...white petals)
subfamilies
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Bluets – small pale blue clusters near the ground....blooms early spring.
Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)...small...peeks out of the dead leaves – among the first
blooms of early spring
Cardinal Flower – bright red bloom – I have seen then along the banks of Raulston Creek
Honeysuckle – there is the vine that is common to all then there is another species of Lonicera
that is about 3’...with bright orange flowers. I have seen them along the western escarpment in
spring.
Bluebell – another ‘weed’ that you will never notice until it brings forth it’s blue flowers in
summer. Common along trails and roadsides.
Goldenrod – All over the area. Fields become ablaze with this ‘weed’ in late summer.
Trillium – Lady’s Slipper....in spring you may see these two in forested areas. Both require
organic soil and at least somewhat shaded areas.
Wild Blackberry – Found all over. Brilliant white flowers give rise to berries that change from
green (sometimes white) to red to black by late June/early July.
Morning Glory – hundreds of species – locally typically a vine that runs along the ground or on
fences, brush. Found in sunny areas – blooms in spring/summer. White flowers, sometimes
blue.
Wild Phlox – small early spring blooming plants – blooms usually pale blue or white. Small
clusters are common.
Larkspur – Common – Blue unusual spurred flowers grow on a stem.
Periwinkle – Common in places – small plant you may see along trails/roads. Flowers usually
pale blue.
Skullcap – abundant in places. Have seen this on Blue Rock. Blue flowers along the central
stalk. Blooms late summer.
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Jasper Highlands
The Birds
The Birds of Jasper Mountain and Southeast Tennessee.......
Class Aves
Common Species on Your Feeder...
Goldfinch – the male a favorite of bird-watchers all over the eastern USA – striking gold with
black wings
Tufted Titmouse – gray primary feathers – mostly white underneath – you place a bird feeder,
these guys will be there.
Carolina Chickadee – small gray bird with black ‘cap’. Like the above, they love the feeding
stations.
White Breasted Nuthatch – quite the entertainer – handsome bird with long bill for capturing
insects from tree bark – a distinguishing characteristic is they often navigate on limbs and the
trunk of a tree –upside-down. Love to visit feeders....sometimes they must make one hundred
trips a day to my back yard feeders.
Northern Cardinal – the male is striking – brilliant red with black on the face and a yellow bill.
The crest is noticeable. Female reddish with gray.
Eastern Towhee (on the ground) – common – largely terrestrial in their search for food, often
seen scratching in leaves and ground litter. Male is a combination of brown-black-white.
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Woodpeckers
Downy – Hairy – Red Headed – Red Bellied –
Common Flicker – Pileated (largest in North
America) – Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
Birds Around the Feeders.....
Eastern Bluebird - A favorite of many. Not a seedeater but sometimes hang around feeders. The
breast is brown. Common here. They will nest in
a ‘bluebird house’ if the Starlings and Wrens don’t
occupy first!
Indigo Bunting – a darling of many bird-watchers.
This small entirely blue bird is often solitary. The
outer primary feathers have hues of brown.
Otherwise entirely blue. Not found in great numbers
in any one location.
House Wren/Carolina Wren – active, high energy
birds that often bob their tail. In spring, their
unusual call is common just after dawn.
European Starling – many call it a ‘blackbird’, but
it is not a true blackbird. Short and chunky, this
import is the ‘coyote’ of the bird world. Survives in a
variety of climates – habitats. Common in town or in
the country.
Song Sparrow – Field Sparrow - both common – the
small inconspicuous birds that often inhabit brushy
areas, landscaping near homes.
Northern Mockingbird – Our state bird....not a
seed eater but likes to hang around....Territorial!
Common in this area.
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Other Local Bird Species.....
Brown Thrasher – along with the Mockingbird and Catbird, the third member of the ‘mimic
thrushes’. Large brown bird that loves to stay on the ground near thick cover. Yellow ring
around eye. Breast streaked, brown vertical slashes on white feathers. If you hear strange
noises/calls from the underbrush but cannot see the source, it most likely will be this species
or the Catbird.
Catbird – a denizen of the thick tangles, sometimes
flying to a tree to sing or survey the area. Named
due to the low cry that sounds like a cat. Dark gray
plumage with a black cap. Common in places with
suitable habitat.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird – needs no
introduction.
Mourning Dove – the soft ‘coo-coo-coo’ of
spring (nesting season) is prevalent in southeast
Tennessee. Called the bird of peace, this species
mates for life.
Common Nighthawk – the “bull bat” as known by
some. Often seen in late spring/summer just prior
to dusk. Choppy, irregular flight is characteristic as it
darts for insects/mosquitoes.
Whippoorwill – in the same group as the
Nighthawk. Smaller than the Nighthawk, maybe 6”7”...to see one is rare. The four note song around
dusk is common in places.
Killdeer – you will see them running along the roads
of Jasper Highlands. Spend most of their time (and
nest) on the ground. White breast with two bold
horizontal dark lines best field mark. Size of Robin.
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Seasonal Birds
House Finch – smaller and redder than the Purple Finch – has become more common recently,
especially in towns-cities. Female, as in many species, is more drab than the male – looks like a
sparrow.
Purple Finch – male is beautiful – a ‘sparrow dipped in raspberry juice’ – heavy bill indicates
favorite food
Pine Siskin - aggressive little birds – a group will send other species packing from a birdfeeder...
Red-Winged Blackbird....nest/live near water – often in low bushes on the bank of a waterway.
The male has brilliant yellow/red/orange stripes on the ‘shoulder’.
Rusty Blackbird – often seen in large groups in spring and fall. Size of a Mockingbird.
Purple Grackle – A large ‘blackbird’. A great field mark is the iridescence on the black primary
feathers. Also, the yellow eye is noticeable. Quite common spring through summer.
Slate Colored Junco – ‘snow birds’ they are often called. You may see them in winter on or
around your feeders, usually in groups of 5-15, then you may not see them again for 2 weeks
or more. Mostly gray small birds (5”) with a hint of white on the lower abdomen.
The Fl ycatchers
All migrate – all can be seen in spring-summer on Jasper Mountain
• Eastern Kingbird – dark gray primary feathers with a pale breast – white
horizontal stripe at the end of tail a distinguishing field mark. A bit larger
than the Bluebird.
• Eastern Phoebe – small flycatcher – you will know this one by the continual
bobbing of the tail - drab gray primary feathers with more pale ventral side
• Eastern Pewee – similar to Phoebe but with 2 white wing bars – love to sit
on fences, low limbs of trees....insects (mosquitoes) primary food. Call is its
name...peewee.
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The Treasures....
Cedar Waxwing – seen here in groups of 10-30
in early spring and again in fall. The male, with
the bold facial markings, is quite handsome.
You may see them on your Holly trees/shrubs.
They will hang around until every berry is eaten!
Scarlet Tanager – One of the most colorful of
all Avia. Jet black wings, otherwise red. Mostly
stays in the canopy of the forest, thus rarely
seen.
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
Golden Eagle/Bald Eagle - Have seen both from Jasper Highlands. Highest probability is late
summer/ autumn. Also in April-May. The Bald Eagle has a striking white head and white tail.
The Golden Eagle is all brown. Can be distinguished from the Turkey Vulture by contour of the
wings as seen from the ground.
HAWKS
all are protected by law as are the Vultures and Eagles
Red-Tailed Hawk – common here. Rust colored tail, large size. Often seen riding the thermal
currents of the valleys around the Plateau. Small rodents main food.
Broad Winged Hawk – not as common as Red-Tailed. Slightly smaller, more chunky.
Cooper’s Hawk – best field mark is the horizontal dark lines across the dorsal side of tail
feathers. You do not want to see this one around bird feeders or near small pets!
Sharp-shinned Hawk – a smaller version of the Cooper’s Hawk
Sparrow Hawk – common here – size of a Robin. Curved beak ID mark. Often ‘hovers’ over the
grass.
Osprey – ‘Fish Hawk’....may be seen here in spring. Wider wing span than Red-Tailed Hawk,
smaller than Golden Eagle. Usually around water. Field marks include striking white plumage
with dark accents/dark band through the eye.
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Vultures
All are scavengers
Turkey Vulture – what is seen on a daily basis from the Plateau
Black Vulture (smaller than the Turkey Vulture/all black...size of large hawks)
Owls
All are nocturnal, but may be seen just after dawn/at dusk...or on cloudy, rainy days.
Barred Owl – common here – a large owl (to 24”) that is gray-brown plumage and puffy head
feathers. Feather configuration makes it appear as though the owl has large circles around
the eyes. A ‘mustache’ is a distinguishing characteristic. The haunting call of this species......
hoohoo-hoohoo....hoo-hoo – hoo-hooaawwww has scared more than one.
Common Screech Owl – small owl (8”-10”) – reddish brown feathers with short ‘horns’ (feather
tufts) above the eyes. Mournful wail at night has been the source of many stories, and can
cause one to take notice.
Barn Owl – White heart shaped face is unmistakable. Looks like a giant, pale colored moth in
flight.
Great Horned Owl – Like the others, a predator. Our largest owl, and, as the name implies...
the ‘horns’ are prominent above the eyes. A haunting call similar to Barred Owl...but no
aawwww at the end. Will take pets and small barnyard stock.
This analysis is not exhaustive. Emphasis has been placed on the most common species of Jasper
Mountain. And we did not even get to the Amphibians, Mammals, Reptiles! Maybe next time.
With questions contact me at [email protected]. Or call 931-265-3713. If you come upon a
specimen, flora or fauna, and you can’t identify it, snap a photo and e-mail it to me....I’m used to it!
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addendum
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Tennessee’s Colorful Trees – What and Why?
It’s that time of year……fall foliage time…time for the Tennessee trees to
take center stage. Jasper Highlands is looking good! This post is to provide
information that will allow you to understand and perhaps better appreciate
this annual natural wonder. Let us begin with background information and
then we will proceed with examples of colorful species of trees that adorn our
Tennessee autumn landscape.....
Deciduous leaves are green because of the chlorophyll (contains green
pigment) found in their chloroplasts, the minuscule “factories” in the leaf that,
by the process of photosynthesis, manufacture glucose, the “food” essential
for the tree to survive. As you may recall from high school Biology class, the
leaf is green because the chlorophyll reflects green light, and absorbs all other
wavelengths of sunlight. As the fall season progresses and the temperature
and length of daylight decreases, the chlorophyll content in the leaf begins
to “die”, allowing other pigments in the leaf to be seen. Different species
of trees contain varying amounts of these other pigments, which gives rise
to the variation of color in the autumn leaves. Examples: the three species
of Hickories in our forests contain xanthophylls, which contains a yellow
pigment. Sumac, Dogwoods, Blackgum, Sourgum, Red Maple, and Sweetgum
contain rhodophylls, which contain a red pigment. Leaves of the Sugar Maple
and Sassafras contain xanthophylls as well as other carotenes which contain
an orange pigment. Eventually, the circuitry between tree and leaf is totally
severed and the leaf falls to the ground, to be replaced on the twig almost
immediately by a scale covered bud (scale is for protection), in anticipation of
a new growing season the following spring. Some coniferous trees also show
a change this time of year. As shown in the photo of the White Pine, last year’s
needles turn brown and fall to the ground, while the growth of the current year
remain green. It is a beautiful and inspiring time of year, and it will not last long,
so get out and enjoy! More from the Fence Post and Jasper Highlands in a few
days.
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Red Maple (Acer rubrum) – Some Specimens of This Common Tree Turn Yellow
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) – Radiant Yellow/Orange at Peak Coloration
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Mockernut Hickory (Carya tomentosa) – All Three Species of Area
Hickories Turn Yellow in Autumn
Sumac (Genus Rhus) – Three Species in Our Area
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Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) – Note the Star-Shaped Leaf – A Good ID Mark
Yellow Poplar (Tuliptree) – State Tree of Tennessee – ( Liriodendron tulipifera )
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