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Papers in Natural Resources
Natural Resources, School of
1-1-1965
Tree Identification Manual
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"Tree Identification Manual" (1965). Papers in Natural Resources. Paper 91.
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T h i s c.irc.ular is i n t e n d e d t o h e l p i n t e r e s l e d p e r s o n s Lo b e c o m e l ~ e t t e r
a c q ~ ~ a i n l t awith
d
s o m e n a t i v e a n d i n t r o d u c e d t r e e s of N e b r a s k a . Invlude d a r c d c s c . r i p t i o n s a n d i1lustr:ltions of t h c l e a f , w i n t e r twig, a n d f r u i t of
'<8 s p e c S i e s whic-h m a y b e found in N e b r a s k a . L e a v e s , w i n t e r t w i g s , a n d
f r u i t a r e imuor-tant i d e n t i f y i n g f e a t u r e s of p l a n t s .
L e a v e s v a r y g r e a t l y in f o r m , s i z e , s h a p e , t e x t u r e a n d c o l o r . 'They may
h c sirrlple l e a v e s a s i n f h e c - a s e of e l m s . T h c y m a y b e o n c e pinnate o r
oncbe c o m p o u n d s u c h as t h o s e of the b1:tc.k walnut a n d the blac-k lo<-us1
T h e l e a v e s of a Kentuc.ky c o f f e e t r e e a r e tw1c.e p i n n a t e or. 1wic.e c o m p o u n d .
Eacsh b l a d e of a c*ompound l e a f is c-alled a l e a f l e t .
If t h e l e a f l e t s a r e
: i t tacbhcd d i r e < - t l y t o t h e p e t i o l e as in t h e c a s e of h o r s e c h e s t n u t , t h e leaf
LS s a i d t o b e p a l m a t e l y c o m p o u n d .
.
1 , e a v e s m a y he a t t a c h e d o p p o s i t e o n the t w i g s a s i n the c a s e of the m a p l e s ,
astlt.s, a n d h o r s e c - h e s t n u t s , o r t h e y m a y b e a t t a c h e d a l t e r n a t e l y a s a r e
t h o s e of e l m s , o a k s , p o p l a r s , a n d m a n y o t h e r s .
Hinter. t w ~ g sm a y b e s t o u t o r s l e n d e r , s m o o t h o r h a i r y , s t r a i g h t o r z i g zag, arid w i t h b u d s that a r e r o u n d e d o r pointed, s m o o t h o r h a i r y , a n d
T h e p i t h in the t w i g s of s o m e s p e c i e s i s
w i t h Inany other. v a r i a t i o n s .
s t r i k i n g l y c b h a r a c t e r i s t i c . a s , f o r e x a m p l e , the c h a m b e r e d p i t h of the b l a c k
w a l n u t , a n d that of the K e n t u c k y c o f f e e t r e e which is l a r g e , s o f t , a n d
s a l m o n c.olor..
II
13y I h e i r f r u i t s y e s h a l l know them".
T h i s is p a r t i c u l a r l y t r u e s o m e t i m e s in d i s t i n g u i s h i r ~ gb e t w e e n c e r t a i n s p e c i e s as, f o r e x a m p l e , r e d
a n d h1ac.k oaks.
E x c e p t f o r t h e i r f r u i t s o r ac.01-ns, w h i c h a r e q u i t e dif f e r e n t , t h e i r o t h e r c - h a r a c t t r i st i c s a r e often s i m i l a r .
M a n y of t h e i l l u s l r a t i o n s i n t h i s m a n u a l a r e t a k e n f r o m "Handbook of
N e b r a s k a ~ r e e s "b y R a y m o n d J. P o o l .
A r t w o r k w a s done by Neva
E ngland,
N u m e r a l s i n d i c a t e s i z e ( X 1 is n a t u r a l s i z e ; X 1 1 2 is o n e - h a l f n a t u r a l s i z e ,
e t c . ).
Refer.enc%es: "11andbook of N e b r a s k a T r e e s ( R e v i s e d 1 9 51)" by R a y m o n d
,T. 1'001, N e b r a s k a C o n s e r v a t i o n H u l l e tin N u m b e r 32, p u b l i s h e d b y the
U n i v c r s i l y of N e b r a s k a , C o n s e r v a t i o n a n d S u r v e y D i v i s i o n .
"'I'he Rook of ~ r e e s "b y A l f r e d C. H o t t e s .
T h e A, 'I?. D e L a M a r e C o . , Inc., New Y o r k , N. Y,
11
T r e e s i n i inter" by B l a k e s l e e a n d J a r v i s
T h e M a c m i l l a n Co., N e w Y o r k , N. Y.
Leaf Characteristics
Kind
Broadleaf
eafle ts
flets
Twice-pinnate
Pinnate
Simple
Palmate o r Digitate
Shape
Lanceolate
Oblanceolate
Oval
Ovate
Heart-shaped
Elliptical
-3-
Twig Descriptions
Twig shows a l t e r n a t e buds and leaf
s c a r s where l e a v e s w e r e a t t a c h e d .
T w i g shows apposite b u d s and leaf
s c a r s where l e a v e s w e r e attached.
Pith
Size
Chambered
Slender
Bud Arrangement
Not T e r m i n a l
Terminal
Clustered
Eastern Redcedar
A m e d i u m to l a r g e , u p r i g h t - g r o w i n g
e v e r g r e e n n a t i v e to N e b r a s k a , h a r d y
and long-lived.
Leaves - Either awl-shaped o r scalel i k e , both k i n d s often b o r n e on the
a
s a m e tree; bluish-green turning
r u s s e t c o l o r i n winter-. ( W e s t e r n r e d c e d a r r e t a i n s a b l u i s h - g r e e n c o l o r in
winter. )
F r u i t s - Bluish o r purplish, b e r r y l i k e c o n e about 1 / 4 i n c h in d i a m e t e r ,
e a c h containing 2 o r 3 h a r d seeds.
Twigs - Slender, greenish o r reddishb r o w n in c o l o r .
B a r k on
larger
b r a n c h e s and t r u n k light b r o w n
and
thin.
Fruiting branchlet
with s c a l e - l i k e
leaves, X 1
T i p of
S r a n c h l et ,
showing a w l s h a p e d l e a v e s , C e d a r r u s t a s s o c i a t e d with r e d c e d a r afenlarge3
f e c ts c e r t a i n v a r i e t i e s of a p p l e s o n l y .
S e v e r a l good v a r i e t i e s of a p p l e s I r e r e E:ls t e r n Itedc.edar- s i s t a n t to the c e d a r r u s t fungus.
Jurliperus virginiana
L a r g e p y r a m i d a l e v e r g r e e n native
to the R o c k y Mountain r e g i o n and to
the P a c i f i c N o r t h w e s t .
L e a v e s - Attached s i n g l y on s l e n d e r
twigs, f l a t , blunt, 3 / 4 to 1 1 / 2 inc h e s long, of ten b l u i s h - g r e e n but
g e n e r a l l y y e l l o w i s h - g r e e n in c o l o r .
F r u i t - B o r n e i n 2 to 2 1/ 2 inch long
pendulous c o n e s , e a c h s c a l e of
which h a s a t t a c h e d to i t a 3-pointed
woody b r a c t , thus p r o d u c i n g a
b r i s t l y a p p e a r i n g c o n e when i t is
mature.
Twigs - Slender,
flexible
and
s m o o t h when l e a v e s a r e d e t a c h e d
T h e sharp-pointed winter buds a r e
114 to 1/ 2 inch long a n d c o v e r e d
with c l o s e l y f i t t i n g b r o w n s c a l e s .
.
T w i g with l e a v e s , X 1
M a t u ~ (.one
~ e
X 313
D o u g l a s - f i r - P s e u d o t s u g a taxifolia
Austrian Pine orBlack Pine
C1us ter
leaves,
Cone-scale
with s e e d s
A l a r g e t r e e of the pine family. S i m i l a r
in s i z e and habit of growth to o u r native
p o n d e r o s a o r w e s t e r n yellow pine. It is
a native of E u r o p e , but g r o w s well under
N e b r a s k a conditions.
L e a v e s - 3 to 6 inches long, s l e n d e r ,
stiff, sharp-pointed, bluish-green, and
b o r n e i n c l u s t e r s of two. A two-needle
pine.
Buds - Sharp-pointed, r e d d i s h - b r o w n
d u r i n g winter, becoming whitish a s
growth begins.
P a r t l y opened
c :xe, X 112
Austriat- Pine
F r u i t - C o a r s e , r a t h e r smooth, woody
cone, 2 to 3 i n c h e s long. M a t u r e s
autumn of second s e a s o n and r e l e a s e s
many of the s e e d s .
-
Finus nigra
Western Yellow Pine
An i m p o r t a n t l u m b e r -producing
pine native in n o r t h and w e s t e r n
Nebraska.
It often a t t a i n s a d i a m e t e r of two f e e t o r m o r e . Found
growing on h i l l s i d e s and in v a l l e y s .
of ten on rough, r o c k y s l o p e s w h e r e
s o i l i s v e r y shallow. S i m i l a r to the
A u s t r i a n pine in h e a t and drouth
resistance.
Cluster
Opened cone
L e a v e s - 3 to 10 inches l o n g ,
yellowish- g r e e n , of ten a p p e a r i n g
g r a y i s h in c o l o r and b o r n e in
c l u s t e r s of two and three. L e a v e s
a r e usually l e s s s h a r p - p o i n t e d than
those of the A u s t r i a n pine and a r e
u s u a l l y somewhat twisted.
Buds
a r e light chestnut-brown in c o l o r .
F r u i t - C o n e s 3 to 6 inches long.
E a c h cone s c a l e is b e s e t with a
s h o r t , s h a r p spine. C o n e s m a t u r e
in August second season and shed W e s t e r n Yellow P i n e - P i n u s ponderosa
m o s t of the s e e d s d u r i n g September.
3f
Scotch Pine
A l a r g e t r e e of the pine family, r a t h e r
i r r e g u l a r in habit of growth.
Often
compact and s y m m e t r i c a l when y o u n g ,
becoming m o r e open and l e s s s y m m e t r i c a l with age.
Not native to
Nebraska.
L e a v e s - In cluster:; of 2, 1 1 1 2 t o 3
inches long, bluish-green, a n d of ; e n
twisted.
Fruit. - A woody <.one,1 1/ 2 to 2 inches
long. Seeds a r e reddish-brown, 1/8 to
1/ 4 inch long with n a r r o w w i n g s ahou t
314 inch long,
C Luster of
leaves, X 1
Unopened cone,
X I
Scotch P i n e - P i n u s s y l v e s t r i s
-
Medium- t h i c k ; dull g r a y i s h Twigs
yellow rpaughened b y sc.ales at base of
leaf c l u s f e r s .
B a r k - Grayish-brown, s c a l y , upper
p a r t of trunk and b r a n c h e s becomingcinnamon-colored.
Jack Pine
Usually a s m a l l tree, often r a t h e r
scraggly.
D a r k brown b a r k with
n a r r o w , s c a l y ridges.
L e a v e s o r needles - Two in a c l u s t e r , 3 / 4 to 1 1/ 2 inches 1ong;yellowish-green, stout, stiff and g e n e r a l l y
curved and twisted.
Buds - Ovate, short-pointed, coated
with r e s i n .
F r u i t - Woody cones 1 to 2 inches
long, without s t a l k s , usually curved
and pointed.
Composed of thin,
stiff, i r r e g u l a r l y developed s c a l e s
with minute prickles.
Twigs - Slender, r e d d i s h to p u r plish brown, roughened by s c a l e s .
C l u s t e r of
leaves, X 1
l31*;~ric~Iilt~t
vji
anopt.nr. 3 cSot~c.
X 1
White Elm or American Elm
A large and graceful t r e e distributed
throughout the state. Greatly admired
a s a lawn and s t r e e t t r e e .
Leaves - 3 to 5 inches long and half
a s broad, dark green' above, smooth to
slightly roughened, pale and smooth o r
somewhat hairy beneath.
Fruit
X 2
Buds - Light reddish-brown; flower
buds stouter.
Fruit - With a flat membraneous wing
about the seed; wing hairy- fringed and
notched at the tip. Seed ripens in the
spring.
Winter
twig
X 2
Twigs - Slender, generally smooth,
light reddish-brown.
.merican Elm
-
Ulmus americana
Cross section of a flake of bark f r o m ,
trunk shows corky white layers.
Red Elm or Slippery Elm
A medium to large tree natlve to the
e a s t e r n third of the state.
Winter
twig
X 2
Leaves - Alternate, 3 to 6 inches
long and half a s broad, rough on
u p p e r and lower s u r f a c e s , dark
g r e e n above, p a l e r underneath.
Winter buds - Dark brown, hairy,
a nd p r o m i n e n t in e a r l y s p r i n g .
Fruits - Similar to those of the white
e l m , except m e m b r a n e o u s wing
does not have a hairy fringe s u r r o u n d i n g i t . T h e s e e d itself is
h airy.
Twigs - Light, grayish, hairy; dark
reddish-brown old b r a n c h e s and
m a i n trunk.
Cross section of a flake of bark from
trunk is reddish-brown throughout.
Red Elm - Ulmus fulva
Green Ash
A medium-sized t r e e with a c o m p a c t ,
broad and rounded crown. Is conside r e d by s o m e a u t h o r i t i e s as a v a r i e t y
pennof the r e d a s h ( F r a x i n u s
sylvanica).
Winter
twig
X 1
pinnately c o m L e a v e s - Opposite,
pound, 8 to 12 inches long; l e a f l e t s ,
7-9, 2 to 4 inches long, 3 1 4 to 1
inch broad, bright g r e e n and s m o o t h
on b o t h . s i d e s (Red acsh l e a f l e t s a r e
downy beneath).
Winter buds - R u s t y brown, s m a l l e r
and n a r r o w e r than those of the white
ash.
in d e n s e
F r u i t s - Paddle-shaped
c l u s t e r s , often clinging to the twigs
into o r throughout winter.
Fruit
X 1
G r e e n Ash
F r a x i n u s pennsylvanica lanceolate
White Ash
Twigs - Medium-slender, light g r e e n
and smooth a t f i r s t , becoming a s h y
g r a y , brownish o r g r a y on the o l d e r
b r a n c h e s (twigs of r e d a s h a r e downy
when young).
Both g r e e n and r e d a s h a r e found
throughout the s t a t e , the f o r m e r being
m o r e common.
Medium to l a r g e t r e e o c c u r r i n g in
southeast Nebraska, m o r e plentiful f a r t h e r e a s t .
L e a v e s - Opposite, pinnately c o m pound, 8 to 1 2 inches long; leaf l e t s usually 7 to 9, 2 t o 4 inches
wide,
long, 1 to 1 112 inches
smooth, d a r k g r e e n above, p'ale
beneath.
Buds - Stout, slightly downy. A
p a i r of l a t e r a l buds generally p r e s e n t a t end of twigs n e a r l y level
with the t e r m i n a l bud.
F r u i t s - Paddle- shaped, hanging
onto the ( t r e e in c l u s t e r s into the
winter.
Twigs - Stout, smooth and s h i n y ,
g r a y i s h o r greenish-brown.
White Ash
-
Fraxinus americana
Bur Oak or Mossycup Oak
"in i m p o r t a n t t r e e s p e c i e s i n N e b r a s k a ,
a s it i s long-lived, o r n a m e n t a l , and
is a v a l u a b l e l u m b e r t r e e . N a t i v e to
the w e s t e r n half of the s t a t e .
I - c a v e s - A l t e r n a t e , 6 to 10 i n r h e s l o n g ,
.3 to 5 inc,hes wide, w e d g e - s h a p e d a t
t n e base and wilh 5 to 7 r o u n d e d l o b e s
' < u d s r c d d i s h - b r o w n , ( * o v e r e d with
pdle wool.
.
F r u i t s - ric.01-ns m a t u r i r i g in t h e f a l l
of the f i r s t year.. C o m m o n l y o c c u r r i n g
i n p a i r s , v a r i a b l e in s i z e and s h a p e ;
up l . a t h e r d e e p , e n c . l o s ~ n g1/ 3 l o 21 /:3
of ltle a c o r n , cup f r l n g e d with c o a r s e .
toi.tuous b r i s t l e s .
W ln't? r t W
L
~
T w i g s - Stout, y e l l o w i s h - b r o w n , b e c o m i n g a s h e n o r b r o w n i s h , often with
corky ridges.
X 2
Bur- O a k - Qs~:l-c.u,s mac.rocbarpa
Yellow Oak or Chestnut Oak
A m e d i u m - s i z e d o a k o c c u r - r i n g in
Richar.d:;on and N e m n h a c o u n t i e s .
U s u a l l y f o r m i n g a b r o a d , open head,
s o m e t i m e s b r o a d e r than high.
L e a v e s - R e s e m b l e t h o s e of the
s w e e t c h e s t n u t , 4 to 7 i n c h e s l o n g ,
1 to 4 i n c h e s wide, w e d g e - s h a p e d o r
coarser o u n d e d at the b a s e ,
toothed, y e l l o w - g r e e n and s h i n y a bove, p a l e , of ten s i l v e r y - w h i t e and
downy beneath.
F r u i t s - Short-stalked
acorns,
m a t u r i n g a t end of the f i r s t s e a s o n ,
e i t h e r s i n g l y o r i n p a i r s , about 314
inch long, the c u p e n c l o s i n g about 112
the length of the nut.
Winter twig
X 2
T w i g s - Stout, s m o o t h , light o r a n g e
to reddish-brown
with o v a t e c o n i c a l , s h a r p -pointed buds.
.
S ( . r u b or. dwarf c h e s t n u t o a k (Q
prinoides) a l s o o c c u r s in a
few
p l a c e s in the e x t r e m e s o u t h e a s t e r n
p a r t of the s l a t e ; plentiful in
v i c i n i t y of S a l e m . T h i s i s a l o w ,
shrubby s o r t usually forming broad
c*lumps by prolific. s t o l o n s .
Fruit
X 1
Red Oak
A l a r g e t r e e of the black qak g r o u p
whose a c o r n s m a t u r e in autumn of the
second s e a s o n .
L e a v e s - Alternate, 5 to 9 i n c h e s
long, 4 to 6 ini-hes wide, with c b o a r s e toothed, b r i s t l e - tipped lobes, d a r k
g r e e n and s m o o t h above, p a l e r b e neath.
Buds - Smooth, light cbhestnut-brown,
I / & to 114 inch long.
F r u i t s - A c o r n s s i n g l y o r in p a i r s ; nut
oblong o r n e a r l y round, often about 1
inch long, r e d d i s h - b r o w n , k e r n e l white
o r p u r p l i s h ; cup shallow, s a u c e r shaped, usually c o v e r i n g only the b a s e
of the nut; s c a l e s thin, r e d d i s h - b r o w n ,
shiny, c l o s e l y overlapping.
Red Oak - Q u e r c u s r u b r a
Twigs - Medium-stout,
g r e e n i s h - brown,
reddish
to
Black Oak
A l a r g e t r e e whose a c o r n s m a t u r e
in autumn of the second y e a r , and
r e s e m b l i n g the r e d oak in habit of
growth.
L e a v e s - Alternate, 5 to 10 inches
long, 3 to 8 inches wide, often 7 lobed, b r i s t l e - tipped, d a r k
and
s h i n y above, pale and h a i r y beneath.
Leaf
X 113
Buds - Ovate to conical, s t r o n g l y
angled, 114 to 112 inch long.
Acorns - 112 to 314 inchlong, broad
arid rounded a t b a s e , full and rounded a t the apex. Acorn cup i s cupshaped, enclosing abou t half the a corn.
C u p - s c a l e s light r e d d i s h brown, finely
woolly, loosely
overlapping.
Twigs
- - Stout, r e d d i s h ;>r r e d d i s h brown.
'Nhen chewed, s a l i v a i s
colored yellowish.
B a r k of trunk
blackish, v e r y rough, broken into
thick r i d g e s f u r t h e r divided by
c % r o sfsi s s u r e s . Inner b a r k o r a n g e yellow.
Fruit X 112
Black Oak
-
Qutlrcus velutina
Hardy Catalpa
Not native to Nebraska but h a s been
planted f r e e l y f o r growing fence posts
Usuallywith s t r a i g h t e r trunk than t,he
common catalpa (C. bignonioides).
.
L e a v e s - Opposite o r whorled, 4 to 10
inches long and 3 to 8 inc-hes broad;
h e a r t - s h a p e d , smooth, d a r k g r e e n n bove, downy beneath.
midsummer,
F l o w e r s - Oc.c.ur in
borne in loosely flowered c.lus t e r s
5 to 6 inches long; c-orolla white with
prominent yellow spots, bell-shaped
.
F r u i t - A long, s l e n d e r pod 6 to 15
inches long and 1/ 2 inch thick.
H a r d y C a t a l p a - Catalpa s p e c i o s a
Twigs - Stout, greenish, ofterl p u r plish, d a r k brown when older. Lcaf
s c a r s a r e circular. in shape.
American Linden or Basswood
h
A l a r g e t r e e with rounded, s p r e a d ing crown. A nat.ive in r i c h , m o i s t
woodlands and along r i v e r bottoms
in the e x t r e m e e a s t e r n p a r t of the
state.
L e a v e s - Alternate, h e a r t -shaped ,
2 to 4 inches long and a l m o s t a s
wide.
F l o w e r s - Yellowish-white, p r o duced in profusion, fragrant., in
s e v e r a l flowered drooping c l u s t e r s
which a r i s e f r o m n a r r o w , oblong,
yellowish bract.
F r u i t s - Nutlike, 3 1 8 to 112 inch i n
diamgter.
Twigs - Usually zigzag with d a r k
r-c-d o r g r e e n i s h buds 1/ 4 inc:h long ,
H a r k on lwigs i s smooth, reddish
o r gray, g r a y on young bl-anc:hes;
and on old b r a n c h e s and
trunk
d e e p and thickly furrowed.
A l l ~ e r i c a nLirlderi - 'I'ilin ;~rnc:r.ic::ina
-12-
Sycamore or Buttonball Tree
A tall, s p r e a d i n g t r e e usually found
along s t r e a m s ; native along M i s s o u r i
r i v e r a s f a r n o r t h a s Omaha.
Has
been planted in a l l s e c t i o n s of the s t a t e .
L e a v e s - Alternate, 3 to 8 i n c h e s
broad, m o r e o r l e s s deeply l o b e d ,
bright g r e e n above, p a l r
beneath
R a s e of petiole f i t s c-losely o v e r the
conic.rtl bud.
.
F r u i t - Hound, y e l l o w ~ s h - b r o w nb a l l
about 1 inch in diameter. that tiangs
from slender stem.
Often p e r b i s t s
throughoul the wiri:er and into the followlng s u m m e r .
W LIIt ~ ' r
twig
X 1
Fruit
X 112
S y c a m o r e - P l a t a n u s occidentalis
B a r k on twigs i s pale g r e e n , h a i r )
when young, becoming smooth and
finally g r a y o r a l m o s t white; tt1ic.k
reddish-brown and sc-aly on the f r u n k ,
broken into long plate-like s c a l e s that
peel off, leaving the white, s m o o t h
barli exposed.
'Ailanthus or Tree of Heaven
A tall, fast-growing t r e e , with
s p r e a d i n g , open and loose c r o w n .
T h r i v e s in e i t h e r sunlight o r w h e r e
t h e r e is c o n s i d e r a b l e shade. S t a r t s
r e a d i l y f r o m s e e d that i s s c a t t e r e d
by winds, and f r o m root s p r o u t s .
R e s i s t a n t to s m o k e and g a s e s and
m a n y m a y be found growing in the
p o o r e r s e c t i o n s of l a r g e cities.
L e a v e s - A l t e r n a t e , once compound,
1 to 3 f e e t long with 11 to 41 l e a f l e t s ,
but always a n odd number, d a r k
g r e e n above, pale beneath, ill
s m e l l i n g when crushed.
F l o w e r s - Small, yellowish-green ,
borne in l a r g e upright open c l u s t e r s
6 to 15 inches long.
F r u i t - Oblong, s p i r a l l y twisted
wing in c e n t e r of which is a single
F r u i t yellow-green a t
d r y seed.
f i r s t a n d taking on a light r e d d i s h brown tinge a t m a t u r i t y .
Twigs - C o a r s e , m o r e o r l e s s
velvety o r downy, and the pith is
brown.
Leaf 11
118
Winter twig
X 1
Ailanthus - Ailanthus a l t i s s i m a
Ohio Buckeye
A medium-sized t r e e native to the ext r e m e southeast c o r n e r of the s t a t e ,
nowhere abundant.
Winter twig
X 1
Opposite, palmately comLeaves
pound, leaflets five, 3 to 6 inches long,
smooth, yellowish-green above, p a l e r
beneath, turning to yellow in autumn.
-a
Leaf
'I6
Fruit
112
x
Ohio Buckeye - Aesculus glabra
F l o w e r s - P a l e yellow, bell -shaped
in l a r g e terminal c l u s t e r s .
F r u i t - A thick leathery, p r i c k l y ,
brownish, globular pod, about 1 inch
in d i a m e t e r , containing a l a r g e ,
smooth, shiny, brown nut.
Twigs - Stout, smooth, orange to
brown. T e r m i n a l buds large, brown,
not waxy. B a r k i s smooth and r e d brown, becoming ashy gray, densely
furrowed on the trunks.
Horsechestnut
A medium-sized, s y m m e t r i c a l t r e e
forming a broad, conical crown.
L e a v e s - Opposite, palmately compound, leaflets usually seven, 5 to
7inches long, wedge -shaped at the
base, d a r k green above, paler
beneath, turning brown in autumn.
F l o w e r s - L a r g e , showy, upright,
many-flowered c l u s t e r s , 6 to 10
inches long, whitish o r c r e a m
colored.
F r u i t - A thick, leathery, prickly,
yellowish-brown, roundish pod, 1
to 2 inches in diameter., containing
1 to 3 smooth, shining, brown nuts.
Twigs - Stout, smooth, reddishbrown. T e r m i n a l buds 1 to 1 112
inches long, brownish, covered with
waxy gum.
Not native to Nebraska.
Horseches tna t - Aesculus hipporas tanurn
Black Walnut
A large, wide- spreading, open- crown
t r e e with heavy branches and c o a r s e
t w i g s . It p r e f e r s r i c h bottom s o i l
and under favorable conditions attains
l a r g e s i z e . It is native along the
Missouri and half way across the state
a l o n g the Republican and N i o b r a r a
rivers, and has been planted t o some
extent throughout the state.
Leaves - Alternate, compound 1 to
2 feet long, with 1 5 to 2 3 leaflets of
a yellowish g r e e n color. T e r m i n a l
l e a f l e t often m i s s i n g . Leaf s c a r s
a r e h e a r t - shaped.
Winter twig,
X 1, showing
chambered
Black Walnut
-
k$#
Juglans nigra
Fruit - Blobular nut 1 1/ 2 to 2 inches
in diameter, singly o r i n c l u s t e r s of
2 o r 3 and covered by a smooth, yellowish-green husk, becoming brown,
then black.
B a r k - Thick, dark, brown in color,
and divided by r a t h e r deep f i s s u r e s
with rounded ridges. Pith is chocolate-brown and chambered by horizontal plates.
Butternut or White Walnut
Winter
twig
X 1
Small to medium-sized t r e e with
b r o a d s p r e a d i n g crown of l a r g e
h o r i z o n t a l b r a n c h e s and stout,
stiff branchlets. Common farther
east but s o f a r a s known only a
f e w planted s p e c i m e n s o c c u r in
N ebraska .
Leaves - Alternate, pinnate, with
11 to 17 leaflets 2 to 4 inches long,.,
y ellowish-green and somewhat
s curfy above, h a i r y beneath.
Fruit - Elongated, greenish, stickyhairy nut becoming brown. Husk,
thin- nut. very rough; meats edible,
sweet and very oily.
T w i g s - Stout, reddish-buff to
greenish-gray. Pith is chambere d a s in black walnut. B a r k on
trunk and branches of young t r e e s
l i g h t g r a y , becoming d a r k e r on
older trees.
Fruit
X 112
White Walnut
-
Juglans cinerea
Hawthorn
U s u a l l y low, s m a l l , w i d e - s p r e a d i n g ,
round-topped t r e e s .
L e a v e s - A l t e r n a t e , s m o o t h or. h a i r y ,
shiny o r dull, l e a t h e r y and tough, or.
thin, deperldlng on the s p e c i e s .
F l o w e r s - 'Xhite, often p r o d u c e d in
g r e a t p r o f u s i o n in few to r n a n y - f l o w e r ed c1uster.s.
F r u i t - Globulat-, u s u a l l y s c - a r l e t and
r e s e m b l e s tiny a p p l e s , with d r y m e a l y
f l e s h . Often e d i b l e .
I 3 r a n c h e s - S t r o n g , tough, often t o r t u o u s , s o m e w h a t zigzag, a r m e d with
stiff, s h a r p - p o i n t e d t h o r n s . B a r k is
usually scaly o r shredded, varying
f r o m d a r k r e d to brown and g r a y .
Redbud or Judas Tree
An a l t r a c . t i v e s m a l l , low t r e e , often
straggling
with s e v e r a l s t o u t ,
b r a n c h e s f o r m i n g a rounded c r o w n .
L e a v e s - A l t e r n a t e , 2 to 4 i n c h e s
long, h e a v t - s h a p e d , d a r k g r e e n
a b o v e , paler. t1eneatt-1.
F l o w e r s - rat he^. dt.nse c - l u s t e r s of
9 i n k - p u r ; ~ l e to d a r k 1.ed p e a - l i k e
f l o w t ~ , snest1 ing c l o s e to the twigs
and e v e n the tl.unk a r b tp r o d u c e d b e f o l - t > Ihc lthaves in Iprsil.
F r u i t s - Shor.1 - s t a l k e d , flat, b r o w n ~ s pho d s ? t o 4 i n c h e s long, 1 / 2 in(-h
w i d e , pointed on both e n d s . S e e d s 8 to 1 2 , o l i v e b r o n n in c.olor, ve1.v
liar-d.
T w i g s - U s u a l l y z i g z a g , bt!a~.ing
v e r y s m a l l , blunt and flatterled
buds. B a r k oti twigs shitiy, brown
or. r e d d i s h bt-own.
Silver Maple
A l a r g e and beautiful t r e e of the maple
family. Grows rapidly under f a v o r able conditions.
The wood i s s o f t ,
even- textured, e a s i l y worked, and d e c a y s quickly when exposed.
L e a v e s - Opposite on the s t e m . They
a r e pale g r e e n on the upper s u r f a c e
and silvery-white beneath.
Leaf
1/2
Winter
x
Fruit
F r u i t - Consists of a p a i r of winged
s e e d s o r "keys", 1 to 2 inches long,
r i p e n s in l a t e spring.
x 1/2
Silver Maple
-
F l o w e r s - Appear in d e n s e g r e e n i s h yellow c l u s t e r s in e a r l y s p r i n g bef o r e the leaves appear.
Acer saccharinum
B a r k - On the old s t e m s i s d a r k g r a y ;
on the young shoots it i s smooth and
r e d o r reddish-gray.
White Poplar
T h i s i s a m e m b e r of the willow
family and i s often wrongly called
s i l v e r maple.
It i s a l a r g e t r e e ,
grows rapidly in favorable locations, and a l s o thrives under l e s s
favorable conditions.
Many root
s u c k e r s occur about the t r e e s .
L e a v e s - Alternate on the twig
and of ten r e s e m b l e the maple leaf
in shape.
They a r e d a r k g r e e n
above, white and woolly beneath.
X 1/3
F l o w e r s - Appear before the leaves
in catkins and the s e e d i s s u r rounded with cottony m a t e r i a l a s
in other poplars.
B a r k - On s m a l l twigs is g r e e n i s h
and covered with a whitish down,
becoming g r a y i s h - g r e e n on older
branches.
White P o p l a r - Populus alba
)
Black Locust
P
G e n e r a l l y , a medium-sized t r e e belonging to the pea family, A r a p i d - g r o w ing t r e e and s p r e a d s by m e a n s of r o o t
s u c k e r s . Often s e v e r e l y damaged by
the locust b o r e r .
L e a v e s - Once compound, f r o m 6 to
1 2 inches long with 7 to 19 leaflets.
F l o w e r s - P e a - s h a p e d , borne in l a r g e
c l u s t e r s , white o r c r e a m y - w h i t e v e r y
fragrant.
x
F r u i t - A d a r k brown, flat pod, 3 to
5 inc.fic.5 long.
112
Twigs - R a t h e r s l e n d e r , brittle, of ten
zigzag, generally having s h o r t , stiff
s p i n e s , 1/ 4 to 1/ 2 inch long, in p a i r s
a t b a s e of leaves.
Black L o c u s t - Robinia pseudo-acacia
Honey locust
A m e d i u m - s i z e d t r e e with s o m e what drooping l a t e r a l b r a n c h e s
f o r m i n g a broad flat - topped head.
L e a v e s - Both once and twlce c o m pound, 6 to 8 i n c h e s long. Once
compound l e a v e s with 18 to 28 leaf l e t s . Twice compound l e a v e s with
4 to 7 p a i r s of s e c o n d a r y
leaf
stems.
Leaf
114
x
Win
tw
X
F l o w e r s - Yellowish-green, s h o r t ,
many-floweraed c1ust.er.s.
F r u i t - A flat, r e d d i s h - b r o w n ,
twisted pod 8 to 1 2 inches l o n g .
Twigs - Stout, smooth, g l o s s y ,
zigzag, of ten having stiff, branched
t h o r n s f r o m 3 to 6 inches long. The
G. t r i a c a n t h o s i n e r m i s v a r i e t y is
thornless.
Honeylocus t - Gleditsia triacbarlthos
Hack berry
A
m e d i u m to l a r g e t r e e , having a
rounded, r a t h e r wide s p r e a d i n g c r o w n .
L e a v e s - A l t e r n a t e , 2 to 4 i n c h e s
long, thin, light g r e e n above, paler*
beneath, f r e q u e n t l y with a long t a p e r ing tip.
Winter
twig
X 1
spherical
F r u i t - Small, purplish,
s t o n e , 114 inch in d i a m e t e r , f r u i t
b o r n e on long s l e n d e r s t e m s . F l e s h
is edible.
" ~ i p p l eg a l l s " often oc.cur on u n d e r s i d e s of l e a v e s ; buds s o m e t i m e s e n l a r g e d and known a s "bud g a l l s " ; a
few to m a n y detlse c l u s t e r s of d w a r f e d
twigs m a y o c c u r on b r a n r h e s , known
a s "witches' brooms".
Portion
af twig
enlarged
3
Fruit
X 1
H a c k b e r r y - C e l t i s occ-identalis
T w i g s - S l e n d e r , b r o w n i s h , with a
finely c h a m b e r e d white pith. T h e
b a r k is one of the m o s t s t r i k i n g f e a t u r e s
of H a c k b e r r y . B a r k on the t r u n k and
l a r g e r l ~ m b sis u s u a l l y light s i l v e r y g r a y in c.olor, w a r t y in appearanc.e and
is b r o k e n into d e e p r i d g e s whicxh s h o w
distinct layers.
Kentucky Coffeetree
- Coffee-nut)
(Coffee-bean
A m e d i u m - s i z e d t r e e with c o m p a r a t i v e l y few l a r g e
coarse
branches.
L e a v e s - A l t e r n a t e , twice pinnately
c.ompound, v e r y l a r g e , 1 to 2 f e e t
long; 20 to 40 l e a f l e t s 1 to 2 i n c h e s
long, d a r k - g r e e n above, p a l e r beneath,
F r u i t - A r e d d i s h - brown, l e a t h e r y ,
flat, a b r u p t l y pointed pod u s u a l l y 4
to 6 i n c h e s long b y 1 1/ 2 to 2 i n c h e s
wide, r e m a i n i n g c l o s e d
until
w i n t e r . P o d s contain 1 to 8 o l i v e brown, flat, f l i n t - h a r d s e e d s i m bedded, i n a s w e e t i s h pulp.
T w i g s - V e r y s t o u t , blunt, b r o w n ,
o r s l i g h t l y g r e e n i s h and g e n e r a l l y
white-crusted.
P i t h is wide and
s a l m o n - p i n k o r brown in c o l o r .
Kentucky C o f f e e t r e e
Gymnocladus dioica
Red Mulberry
A s m a l l tree which develops a broad,
rounded head with numerous s m a l l
branches.
Leaves - Variable in shape, often 3
t'o5lobes, 2 to 5 inches long, yellowgreen, thin, smooth o r rough above,
paler and hairy beneath.
F r u i t s - Dark pur3le o r nearly black,
1/ 2 to 3 1 4 inch long, ripening in June
o r ' July.
Twigs - Slender, somewhat zigzag,
reddish to greenish -brown, showing
milky juice when cut.
Bark - Dark brown, divided into i r regular longitudinal plates.
'Nhite mulberry (Morus alba), an introduced s ~ e c i e s , has been reported
for Nebraska.
Red Mulberry
-
Morus r u b r a
Russian mulberry (Morus alba v a r .
tartarica), a s m a l l t r e e with bushy
head.
F r u i t s a r e small, d a r k r e d ,
some times white.
Osage Orange
Orginally this t r e e was confined to
tAe r i c h bottom lands of Arkansas ,
Oklahoma, and Texas, but was ext e n s i v e l y ~ l a n t e da s a hedge by the
e a r l y s e t t l e r s of Nebraska, Under
most favorable conditions it may
r e a c h a height of 50 o r 60 f e e t and
a diameter of 2 feet. In Nebraska
the usual height i s 25 to 30 feet.
Leaf
Leaves - Alternate, 3 to 6 inches
long and 1 to 2 inches wide, thick
and firm, dark green and glossy
with milky juice.
x 112
F r u i t s - A pale green orange-like
s t r u c t u r e 2 to 4 inches in diameter
Seeds brown.
.
Twigs - Bright green, hairy, becoming yellowish and a r m e d with
stout, sharp-pointed thorns. Bark
on r o o t s is bright orange-red and
arranged in very thin layers.
Fruit
X 1/4
Osage Orange
-
Maclura pomifera
Shellbark Hickory or Shag bark
Medium-sized t r e e , s l e n d e r , tall and
s t r a i g h t , with n a r r o w , rounded, open
crown of stout b r a n c h e s and twigs.
O c c u r s in s o u t h e a s t e r n N e b r a s k a .
L e a v e s - Alte~snate, once c o m t ~ o u n d,
6 to 12 inches long. L e a f l e t s usually
five, the uoper 5 to 7 i n c h e s long and
2 to 3 inches wide. Thick, f i r m ,
d a r k g r e e n above, p a l e r b e n e a t h ,
Buds
large,
s o m e t i m e s downy.
r a t h e r blunt-pointed.
,
F r u i t s - N e a r l y s p h e r i c a l , 4 r i g i d nuts
v a r i a b l e in s i z e , sul.rounded by t h i c k ,
4-valved, light brown husks. Nuts
sweet.
S h e l l b a r k Hickory - C a r y a ovata
Twigs - Stout, smooth and shining, o r
somewhat downy, light g r a y o r r e d d i s h brown. B a r k on young t r u n k s and l i m b s
light gray, smooth, b e c o m i n g s e a m ? :
on old trunks shagging c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a l l y into long, f l a t p l a t e s that a r e
f r e e a t the b a s e o r both e n d s .
Bitternut Hickory
A
.A tall, ' r a t h e r s l e n d e r t r e e with stiff
unright b r a n c h e s f o r m i n g a broad
crown which i s often widest n e a r the
top.
O c c u r r i n g in s o u t h e a s t e r n
Nebraska.
Winter
L e a v e s - Alternate, once compound,
6 to 10 inches long. L e a f l e t s 7 to
11, the upper ones 3 to 6 inches long
and about one-fourth a s wide, thin
a n d f i r m , smooth, bright g r e e n a bove, p a l e r and somewhat downy
o r s m o o t h below.
F r u i t s - N e a r l y s p h e r i c a l , thins h e l l e d nuts covered with a t h i n ,
yellow, s c u r f y h u s k . K e r n e l b i t t e r ,
not edible.
Twigs - Slender, g r e e n i s h and
downy, becomitigbrownish, and finally gray. B a r k on old b r a n c h e s
and trunk smooth, gray, often
broken up into c l o s e l y connected
shallow r i d g e s , r a r e l y broken into
s c a l e s o r plates.
I/
Fruit
X 1
Bitternut Hickory
-
C a r y a cordiformis
Western Chokecherry
T h i s i s a native s h r u b of the plum
family which a t t i m e s m a y become
t r e e - l i k e and a t t a i n a height of 10 to
25 feet, and a d i a m e t e r of s e v e r a l
inches.
L e a v e s - S i m i l a r to those of t a m e
c h e r r y , a l t e r n a t e , 2 to 4 inches l o n g ,
1 314 to 3 i n c h e s , wide, d a r k g r e e n a bove, p a l e r beneath.
Bbds ; R a t h e r l a r g e , narrow, conicaL, smooth, pale brown and s h a r p ly pointed.
F l o w e r s - Borne in s e v e r a l white,
compact, drooping c l u s t e r s , 2 to 3
inches long, o c c u r r i n g in May o r June
.
F r u i t s - Round, d a r k p u r p l e o r black
c h e r r i e s 114 to 112 inch in d i a m e t e r .
Excellent f o r jelly and a r e r e l i s h e d
by many s p e c i e s of birds.
Winter
twig
X 1
Twigs - Slender to r a t h e r
smooth, grayish-brown.
C h ~ k e c h e r r y- P r u n u s m e l a n o c a r p a
-
stout,
B a r k , leaves, and s e e d a r e b i t t e r
owing to the p r e s e n c e of p r u s s i c acid.
Wild Black Cherry
T h i s is a m e m b e r of the plum
family, but is a m e d i u m - s i z e d
t r e e a t t a i n i n g a height of 50 feet o r
m o r e and a d i a m e t e r of 1 to 2 f e e t .
Native to s o u t h e a s t
Nebraska;
g r o w s along fence rows, in open
p l a c e s , and on the edge of t i m b e r ed a r e a s of that region.
Leaf
X 1
Fruiting
branchle t
X 112
L e a v e s - About 3 inches long and
half a s broad, d a r k g r e e n and shiny
above, p a l e r beneath, and s m o o t h
on both s i d e s .
blunt
to
Buds - Medium-sized,
inch
sharp-pointed, about 114
long.
F l o w e r s - O c c u r in May o r June, in
m a n y white-flowered, loose, d r o o p ing c l u s t e r s .
F r u i t - S i m i l a r to that of chokec h e r r y in s i z e and a r r a n g e m e n t ,
d a r k purple o r black. Edible and
highly r e l i s h e d by b i r d s .
Twigs - Rather slender, smooth,
reddish-brown, covered with g r a y i s h s k i n that i s e a s i l y rubbed o f f .
Winter twig, X 1
Wild Black C h e r r y - P r u n u s s e r o t i n a
22-
Wahoo or Burning Bush
Low tree o r tall shrub, rather common
in woodlands and along streams particularly in southeastern Nebraska.
Leaves - Opposite, 1 112 to 5 inches
long, 1 to 2 112 inches broad, smooth
above and covered with s h o r t , fine
h a i r s beneath.
Flowers - Borne on very slender stems
grouped in a widely spreading cl. ter,
petals dark purple. Individual mai,ogany-red flowers a r e small and inconspicuous but en masse they produce a
blaze of color, especially in the bright
sunlight, suggestive of the name Burning Bush.
Wahoo
-
Euonymus atropurpurea
Fruit - A depressed four-angled capsule, c r i m s o n to purplish in color.
When capsule splits open, it exposes
the scarlet pulp-covered seed.
Twigs - Slender, greenish o r purplishbrown in color.
Pawpaw
A low, slender tree o r tall- growing
shrub occurring in southeast Nebraksa. Commonly growing in thicke t s in river o r creek bottoms.
Leaves - Alternate, 6 to 12 inches
long, smooth, light green above,
p a l e r beneath, turning yellow in
autumn.
Flowers - Appear in March or April
a t the time the leaves begin to develop, 1 112 to 2 inches a c r o s s ,
6 petals in two s e r i e s , g r e e n at
first, becoming brown and finally
deep r eddish-purple.
F r u i t s - 2 to 5 inches long, 1 to
1 112 i n c h e s in d i a m e t e r , often
slightly curved, greenish-yellow,
a n d brownish o r black when fully
r i p e ; edible.
Twigs - Bark or twigs light brown,
tinged with r e d ; l i m b s and trunk
ashy-gray.
Mature fruit
X 112
Winter twig
X 1
Pawpaw - Asimina triloba