sign in sign up
<<
Home , Catkin, Fagus grandifolia, Fraxinus, Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus nigra, Fraxinus pennsylvanica

of How to Know Them

Published by the Department of Natural Resources Madison, Wisconsin Division of

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Dedicated to the memory of F.G. Wilson

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services, and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. This publication is available in alternative format (large print, Braille, audiotape etc.) upon request. Please call 608/267-7494 for more information. Table of Contents

Forward Introduction

Conifers (soft ) Cedar, northern white (arbor vitae).....Thuja occidentalis...... 1 Cedar, red (juniper)...... ...... 2 Fir, balsam...... Abies balsamea...... 3 Hemlock...... ...... 4 Pine, jack...... Pinus banksiana...... 5 Pine, red (norway pine)...... Pinus resinosa...... 6 Pine, white...... Pinus strobus...... 7 Spruce, black...... Picea mariana...... 8 Spruce, white...... Picea glauca...... 9 Tamarack (American larch)...... ...... 10

Deciduous Trees () Ash, black...... nigra ...... 11 Ash, green...... ...... 12 Ash, white ...... ...... 13 Ash, mountain...... americana...... 14 , big-tooth...... grandidentata...... 15 Aspen, quaking...... Populus tremuloides ...... 16 Balm of Gilead (balsam poplar)...... Populus balsamifera ...... 17 Basswood (linden)...... americana ...... 18 ...... ...... 19 Bluebeech ()...... ...... 20 , paper ...... ...... 21 Birch, river...... ...... 22 Birch, yellow ...... Betula lutea ...... 23 Box elder ...... ...... 24 Butternut ...... ...... 25 Cherry, black ...... ...... 26 Cherry, choke ...... Prunus virginiana ...... 27 Cherry, pin ...... Prunus pennsylvanica ...... 28 Cottonwood, eastern ...... ...... 29 , American ...... ...... 30 Elm, rock ...... Ulmus thomasii...... 31 Elm, slippery (red elm)...... Ulmus rubra ...... 32 Hackberry ...... Celtis occidentalis...... 33 , bitternut ...... Carya cordiformis ...... 34 Hickory, shagbark ...... ...... 35 Ironwood (hop hornbeam)...... virginiana...... 36 Juneberry (service berry)...... Amelanchier canadensis...... 37 Locust, black ...... Robinia pseudoacacia ...... 38 Locust, honey ...... Gleditsia triancanthos...... 39 , red (soft)...... ...... 40 Maple, silver (soft)...... Acer saccharinum ...... 41 Maple, sugar (hard)...... ...... 42 , black ...... ...... 43 Oak, bur ...... ...... 44 Oak, chinkapin ...... ...... 45 Oak, northern pin (hills oak or jack oak)...... Quercus ellipsoidalis...... 46 Oak, red ...... ...... 47 Oak, swamp white ...... Quercus bicolor ...... 48 Oak, white ...... ...... 49 Plum, wild ...... Prunus americana ...... 50 , black ...... ...... 51 ...... Salix ...... 52

Key to Wisconsin Trees Sign Posts to Identifying Trees ...... 53 How to Prevent Forest Fires ...... 57 How Forest Fire Danger Is Measured ...... 58 What Causes Forest Fires to Start? ...... 59 Wildlife & ...... 60

Note: Illustrations are not drawn to scale. Forward

“Forest Trees of Wisconsin” was Today, forestry in Wisconsin first published in 1928. is vitally important to our It was written by F. G. Wilson, economy as well as our one of the eleven original overall well-being. forest rangers hired by the state in 1911. Fred Wilson, Wisconsin’s forest industry nd along with several other is the 2 largest employer in , was one of the the state. We are the leading original pioneers of forest state in paper production and management in Wisconsin. He a leader in the production was the first to use seedlings to of high quality veneer replant forest stands and was and sawlogs. But, most instrumental in developing importantly, Wisconsin’s the state forest nurseries for forests are managed in a this purpose. The wisdom way that guarantees the of Fred’s pioneering efforts scenery, recreation, wildlife, culminated in his planting water quality and aesthetic the one billionth from benefits its citizens demand. the state nurseries in 1979. “The man who has a piece of Seventy-seven years after woodland where during the winter the first publication of this months he cuts firewood and book, the words written in fencing, and a few logs for the the original Forward are repair of building and implements, still pertinent today: and during certain years when prices are high cuts some logs “Trees are important to Wisconsin for the neighboring , but landscapes from the standpoint at the same time looks after the of beauty as single specimens piece of woods, clears it of dead or in-groups. In forest and farm timber and other rubbish, thus woodlands, they are vital keeping out fire and , and for the stabilization of the soil otherwise makes an effort to and in slowing water runoff. keep the land covered with forest Forests are our largest public - such a man practices forestry. hunting and fishing grounds and His forest may be small or large, produce wildlife and recreational his ways of doing may be simple benefits as well as timber crops. and imperfect, the trees may not be the best kind for the particular In the near future the capitalized locality and soil, they may not be value of Wisconsin’s forest will as thrifty as they should and could be about a billion dollars and be; but nevertheless here is a the value of a single year’s man who does not merely destroy crop of finished forest products the woods nor contents himself may exceed this amount in a with cutting down whatever single year. It is evident that we he can sell, but one who cares must continue to protect these for the woods as well as uses forests from fire, insects and them, one who sows as well as disease and all citizens should harvests. He is a , and his cooperate in this program.” work in the woods is forestry.”

Filibert Roth - From the original printing, 1928 Introduction

Trees, like all living things Reproduction grow and mature and die, by while the forest, which is, a However, most of our forest community of trees, may live trees grow from seed and the indefinitely, because the trees way the are produced reproduce before they die. is the basis for classifying . For example, white Vegetative pine seeds grow in pairs on Reproduction the inner surface of the cone Many trees reproduce scales, while the hickory seed vegetatively under certain is enclosed in a . This conditions, for example, most really is the difference between of the broad trees will the conifers or evergreens, sprout if cut when small, while and the broadleaf trees. some like basswood will sprout regardless of age. Others like In this bulletin the word the quaking aspen and black “” is used in the botanical locust will send up shoots sense, meaning the seeds from the at considerable and seed bearing part, distance from the parent tree. therefore, the and its cup together constitute a fruit. The only American conifer (cone-bearing tree) which sprouts is the redwood, but we The Formation have one conifer in Wisconsin of Seed which often reproduces Some seed is produced from vegetatively, but by a method “perfect” , like the other than sprouting. Lower cherries where both limbs of black spruce often and pistils are found in touch the ground and, where the same tree. This is best moss grows over the limb illustrated with the corn , back of the tips, roots develop, where the tassel or staminate and finally the tip of the produces the pollen branch becomes a new tree. which must fertilize the grains in the ear. You have Man uses the ability of all seen ears of corn where some trees to reproduce some of the kernels did not vegetatively. Cuttings from develop because they were small branches of or not fertilized by pollen. eastern cottonwood bearing several can be set in With some species like the the ground to grow, because ashes and the poplars, some they will develop roots. Other trees have only staminate methods like budding and flowers and others only grafting are used to propagate pistillate flowers, so that the horticultural varieties. We female trees will not bear seed cannot grow Baldwin apple unless there are staminate trees from seed, but must graft trees in the vicinity. The a twig from a Baldwin tree Lombardy poplar which is a onto a seedling apple tree. horticultural variety of the European poplar never bears seed because the variety was in your vicinity look for some developed as a mutation of these unopened cones and there are no Lombardy and place one on a hot stove poplars bearing staminate and watch the scales open. flowers. Therefore, it is always reproduced vegetatively; that How Trees Grow is, by cutting or sprouts. The growth of new in any year forms a complete Distribution of Seed layer over the entire tree. That Since some trees mature their is why we can determine the seed in spring while others age of a tree from the number ripen later, seeds developed of rings on the stump. Height several methods of scattering growth occurs only in the new or planting themselves. Seeds wood of any one year. If a nail from the are very light is driven into the trunk of a and so perishable that they ten foot tree at five feet from must come in contact with the ground, it will still be five moist mineral soil within feet from the ground when a few hours. As they are the tree is a hundred feet tall. covered with cottony down they are carried by the wind. The form of trees depends on These two characteristics the growing space. A close have enabled the aspen to spacing between trees, shades reforest many of the burned the tree stems by restricting over areas. Pin cherry also sunlight and causes side comes in on areas after forest branches to die and fall off, fires because birds eat the leaving tall straight clean stems cherries and may drop the which are valuable for timber. seed far from the parent tree. Shade trees which have room to spread out have a large Seeds of pine, maple and crown with spreading limbs basswood have wings so and a short stem. Notice the that they are carried farther trees at the edge of a forest, by wind, while the heavy they have branches on the side nuts and are often towards the open while the buried by and then other side is free of branches. forgotten. Seeds of trees which grow along the stream banks Variations in Trees are carried by the water. Since form and size or Jack pine is especially color and character of interesting because it protects vary with size and growing its seeds from fire. While most conditions, too much of the cones will open the first importance should not be autumn, a few will remain placed on them in identifying closed, sometimes for many trees. The from the years. Then following a forest lower branches of a tree may fire, these cones will open have a very different outline from the heat and drop seeds than those from the tip of on the denuded land. In this the tree, while leaves on the way jack pine predominates sprouts from a tree which on lands which originally was cut may be excessively carried mostly Norway or large and of unusual shape. white pine. If jack pine grows Notice the difference between the twigs and needles of balsam trees when one has had full sunlight and the other grew in the shade.

An effort has been made to point out several distinguishing characteristics in describing each tree. After you have identified the trees, they can be recognized as you recognize your friends on the street even though you cannot describe them so that a stranger will recognize them.

Discover more at dnr.wi.gov (keyword “Education” – then select “Forests” under Educator Resources)

Also visit LeafProgram.org (find tree identification tools under “Curriculum & Resources”) Northern White Cedar 1 or Arbor Vitae (Thuja occidentalis)

Form Compact pyramidal; height 12 scales; borne singly or 50 to 60 feet and 2 to 3 feet in large clusters on ends 1 in diameter; trunk often of branches. Seeds ⁄8 inch buttressed, strongly tapered long, with 2 narrow wings and frequently divided into almost circling the seed. 2 or more direct stems; branches short and nearly Range horizontal; sometimes forms Found throughout the state, almost impenetrable thickets, except the southwest portion; as dead branches are very grows usually in moist places stiff and persistent; in the where it is often found in open, develops a conical, dense pure stands; however, symmetrical crown. farther north it appears on well-drained slopes, usually Bark in mixtures with hardwoods. Thin, gray to reddish brown, separating in long, vertical, Wood narrow shreddy strips. Light, soft, brittle, coarse grained, durable, fragrant and Leaf pale brown in color; especially 1 1 Scale-like; length ⁄8 or ⁄4 important for making fence inches, arranged to make the posts, building poles, rot- small branches flat; pleasant, resistant and shingles. aromatic scent when crushed; pungent to the taste. Notes It is one of the preferred Fruit and important species for Small, oblong cone that deer browse in the winter. matures in one season; There are numerous 1 1 yellowish-brown; ⁄3 to ⁄2 ornamental varieties. inches in size, with 6 to 2 Red Cedar or Juniper (Juniperus virginiana)

Form Fruit Straight trunk, sometimes A dark blue berry-like cone; 1 having lobed appearance; diameter ⁄4 inch, enclosing crown is pyramidal, becoming 1 to 4 seeds in the sweet rounded; height 25 to 30 flesh; matures in 1 season. feet when growing in good locations; seldom exceeds Range 1 foot in diameter; may be Dry, gravelly soil, and rocky multi-stemmed or nearly ledges in southern half of state; prostrate on poor, rocky most abundant on limestone and dry sites. ridges in southwestern part of state where few other trees are Bark found. One of the first trees Thin, reddish brown, to invade abandoned fields. peeling off in long, vertical shred-like strips. Wood Red, fine-grained, soft, Leaf weak, fragrant and very Two kinds, usually found on durable; used for interior same tree; more common woodwork, chests, closets, kind is dark green, minute lead pencils, posts and poles. and scale-like, clasping the stem in 4 ranks so that Notes the stem appears square; Is a favorable winter food second kind usually appears for some birds. Red cedar on young trees or vigorous spreads cedar apple rust; shoots, are awl-shaped, quite therefore it is not favorable to sharp-pointed, spreading plant in or near orchards or and whitened on underside. anywhere in regions devoted to commercial apple production. Balsam Fir 3 (Abies balsamea)

Form Range Medium size, attaining heights Found in forests of the of 40 to 60 feet and diameter northern half of Wisconsin; of 1 to 2 feet; short-spreading usually in association with branches form a handsome, white spruce from which it symmetrical, spire-like crown. can easily be distinguished by its large upright cones and Bark soft leaves; thrives in cool, Thin, smooth, grayish, moist, or shaded places. prominently marked by blisters filled with resin Wood or balsam pitch. Light brown, soft, not strong or durable; coarse grained; is Leaf used mainly for paper pulp; Needle-like, stalkless and also an important Christmas 1 flat; length ⁄2 to 1 inch with tree. The oleoresin from the rounded point, dark green pitch blisters on the bark is and lustrous above and silvery “ Balsam,” much white bands beneath; twisted; used in optical instruments, 2-ranked arrangement on microscopic slides, etc. as twig; resinous and fragrant. transparent cement for glass. Fruit Notes Cones upright on branches, Two serious pests occur purple, oblong; length 2 to on balsam fir: the spruce 4 inches; becomes mature budworm and balsam in first year; seeds when ripe woody aphid. fall together with scales of cone, leaving hard central axis standing upright on branch like a spike. 4 Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Form Fruit 1 3 Height 60 to 100 feet and Cones ⁄2 to ⁄4 inches in length; diameter of 2 to 4 feet; scales thin and almost as branches spreading and nearly broad as long; matures in horizontal; pyramid-shaped one season. Seeds are winged, with drooping top shoot in slightly resinous and about 1 young trees and with rounded ⁄16 inches long. top on large, mature trees. Range Bark Native to northeastern quarter 1 3 ⁄2 to ⁄4 inches thick; varying of the state, isolated stands from cinnamon-red to occur on cool north slopes in gray in color; with deep Columbia, Sauk and Vernon furrows separating the counties. It grows on the better broad, flattened scales. and moister soils, often in mixtures with hardwoods. Leaf 1 2 Needles ⁄3 to ⁄3 inches in Wood length; flat; rounded to Light reddish-brown; soft, notched at tip; yellowish- coarse, brittle, splinter- green with 2 whitish bands ing, and not durable; often underneath; a 2-ranked manufactured into coarse arrangement; twigs roughened general construction lumber. by woody, raised projections (sterigmata) where needles Notes attach to twigs. Most buds Heavily browsed by deer; are scaly and not resinous. inner-bark once used for tanning leather; oil of hemlock distilled from young branches. Jack Pine 5 (Pinus banksiana)

Form Range Height 50 to 70 feet; Found commonly on the sandy diameter rarely exceeds 2 soils of the northern half of the feet; open, conical shaped state, and extends downward crown; often retaining along the Wisconsin River to dead branches on trunk all and Grant counties. the way to the ground. Wood Bark Light, soft, not strong, Dark brown, irregularly divided close grained, clear pale by furrows into small scales. brown with thick, nearly white sapwood. Primarily a Leaf species but also Needle length about 1 inch; used for laths, box material light to dark yellow-green; and increasingly for lumber. sharply-pointed; two in a bundle and slightly twisted. Notes Due to the resinous nature of Fruit its cones, jack pine is usually 1 Cones – length about 1 ⁄2 one of the first tree species inches; 2 years to maturity; to occupy a site after fire. often strongly curved, brown when ripe, turning gray later; resinous; sometimes remaining on branches unopened and containing good seeds for many years; small-winged triangular seeds which may be carried far in strong winds. Many trees begin producing cones as early as 7 years old. 6 Red or Norway Pine (Pinus resinosa)

Form Height is usually 80 to 90 feet; color when ripe; seeds small, 1 occasionally 120 feet tall; 2 to length about ⁄8 inch, dark or 3 feet in diameter; branches mottled brown, winged and on mature trees form an open, widely scattered by the wind. rounded, picturesque crown. Range Bark Found in pure stands in many Becomes divided into large, parts of northern Wisconsin reddish brown plates as it and isolated stands occur as matures, which gives trees its far south as Dane County. It is characteristic appearance and usually found on sandier soils one of its common names, than white pine. Increasing in red pine. popularity for forest planting because of its general freedom Leaf from disease and insect attack. Needles in clusters of 2; dark green to yellow-green; Wood 4 to 6 inches long; brittle Pale red with thin, nearly (easily broken when doubled white sapwood; moderately between the fingers); hard, close grained and needle sheath persistent. used mainly for pulpwood. Increasingly being used for Fruit construction lumber, pilings Cone about 2 inches in length. and pressure-treated poles. The thin, slightly concave cone scales are without spines Notes or prickles and are free from Often called Norway pine. Red resin. Cones short stalked to pine is a fast growing species nearly sessile. Like all pines, and needs full sunlight for best it requires 2 years for cones to growth and development. mature; cones are purplish in White Pine 7 (Pinus strobus)

Form The straight stem, regular mature in August or Septem- pyramidal form and soft ber of the second season. gray-green foliage make it one of the most majestic trees Range in the state. The crown is Occurs naturally through- composed of numerous whorls out nearly the entire state. of horizontal or ascending It grows on sandy soils and branches that are plume-like rock ridges, but prefers and graceful in outline. At fertile, well-drained soils. maturity, it reaches heights of Wood 100 feet and diameters of 2 to Light, soft, weak, light brown 3 feet. White pine may still be in color, often tinged with red; found up to 150 feet in height easily worked; manufactured and up to 4 feet in diameter. into matches, lumber and Bark laths; used for construction Thin, smooth, resinous and purposes (cabinet and window greenish-gray on young trees, making, interior finish of but thick and deeply fissured and buildings and wooden wares). grayish-brown on older trees. Notes Leaf White Pine Blister Rust and Needles 3 to 5 inches long; White Pine Weevil continue bluish-green; flexible; occur in to be a problem in the state. bundles of 5, which distin- White pine is very susceptible guishes the trees from other to air pollution damage. It is native pines in Wisconsin; intermediate in tolerance to needle sheath . shade and thus generally occurs as a temporary or intermediate Fruit (though long-lived) species Cones are 4 to 6 inches in forest succession. White long, cylindrical, with thin pine is a major dominant in and usually very resinous Wisconsin’s northern dry forests. scales, each containing two It is the largest and longest- small winged seeds. Cones lived species of the region. somewhat curved. Cones 8 Black Spruce (Picea mariana)

Form Range Small tree seldom exceeding Found in poorly drained 60 feet in height and 1 foot in swamps and occasionally diameter in Wisconsin and is on well-drained slopes in often a stunted tree, less than northern Wisconsin. Often 30 feet high. The crown is associated with tamarack, dense, narrow, and conical in balsam fir and white spruce. form, with dropping branches, extending nearly to the ground. Wood Yellow-white, light, soft Bark and medium strong; used Thin and broken on surface mainly for paper pulp. into thin gray-brown scales. Leaf Needles, bluish-green, short, 1 pointed, four-sided; length ⁄2 inch; arrangement of needles on branch not two-ranked. Fruit Cones oval shaped; length about 1 inch, matures in one season, light brown in color when ripe, after shedding seed in fall can persist on trees indefinitely. Seeds 1 small, about ⁄8 inch long, dark brown and winged. White Spruce 9 (Picea glauca)

Form Range Reaches 60 to 80 feet in Extensively found in forests height; occasionally 100 feet of northern Wisconsin. with a diameter of 2 feet. The Thrives on moist, well-drained crown is a broad-based, open soils and in swamps with pyramid, the rigid branches balsam and tamarack; curving upward. Except also found associated in dense forests, the crown with mixed hardwoods. extends well down the trunk. Wood Bark Light, strong, soft, straight Thin, separating into light, grained, yellow-white in color; gray-brown scaly plates. used in the manufacture of various products, most Leaf important of which is paper. Needles 4-sided and crowded Largest trees are sawed into along upper-half of branchlets; lumber and used for general 1 3 length ⁄2 to ⁄4 inches; dark construction: airplanes, bluish-green when mature; furniture parts, canoe sharply pointed, having paddles and sounding boards a slightly disagreeable for musical instruments; odor when crushed. planted quite extensively for ornamental purposes, Fruit windbreaks, and shelterbelts; Slender cone, about 2 inches ranks high as a Christmas tree. long; matures in one season; light brown when ripe; cones Notes usually drop during winter Spruce budworm is causing after opening and shedding extensive damage to this 1 1 seeds. Seeds ⁄8 to ⁄6 inches species in the state. long, pale brown, winged. 10 Tamarack or Larch (Larix laricina)

Form Height 30 to 60 feet, winged seeds. Cones often 1 diameter 1 to 1 ⁄2 feet. remain on trees several years after shedding seed. Bark Rough and separates on the Range surface into thin, reddish- Chiefly in swamps in northern brown scales. Twigs are light part of state in region of brown and covered with coniferous forests; occasionally numerous tiny spurs or in drier localities where it short branches. reaches largest size. Found scattered in cold swamps Leaf throughout the southern Needles flat, soft and slender; portion of the state. Often length about 1 inch; borne in found in association with clusters or spur-like branches black spruce, balsam fir and distributed singly on and northern white cedar. terminal shoots; bright green in spring, soft and Wood flexible, turning dull yellow Light yellowish-brown, heavy, in September or October just hard and very durable in before falling; tamarack is the contact with soil; used for only conifer in Wisconsin that posts, poles, ties, pulpwood sheds all its leaves each fall. and locally for lumber. Fruit Notes Young cones red or greenish; Large trees are rare as most mature cones light brown; old specimens were killed years 1 3 width ⁄2 inch, length ⁄4 inch; ago by the larch sawfly. Crown nearly spherical; open in the has an open, pyramidal shape. fall of first year to liberate 1 small, ⁄8 inch, light brown, Black Ash 11 ()

Form Fruit Medium-sized tree; height A samara, similar to that of 50 to 75 feet, diameter 1 all ashes, except that the thin to 2 feet. Forming an open wing nearly surrounds the crown of narrow, upright flattened seed. The wing is branches in the forest. broader than that of white or green ash, and the apex of Bark the wing is distinctly notched. Grayish on older portions of tree, furrowed and somewhat Range separated into thin scales Fairly well distributed over that are easily rubbed off. entire state; most abundant in White lenticels appear on cold, moist locations and along lower trunk and roots. low banks of streams. Usually found in association with Leaf black spruce, balsam fir, Opposite on stem; compound, white cedar and tamarack. consisting of 7 to 11 leaflets; leaflets oblong in shape, Wood tapering to a point, and not Dark brown, sapwood of stalked, except the terminal lighter color, coarse grained, leaflet; leaflets sharply heavy; not as strong or toothed along edges; terminal valuable as green or white is large and pointed. ash; easily separated into thin layers furnishing excellent material for baskets, hoops, etc.; also used for cabinet making and fence posts. 12 Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica var. lanceolata)

Form Fruit Height 50 to 60 feet, A samara, borne in clusters on 1 1 diameter 2 feet or more; tree; length 1 ⁄2 to 2 ⁄4 inches, 1 1 stout, upright, branches width ⁄4 to ⁄3 inches, with forming a rounded crown. winged portion extending well down past middle of flattened Bark seed-bearing part; wing 1 About ⁄2 inch thick; dark slightly notched at apex, seeds brown or gray, tinged with red; mature in fall of first year. furrowed with flat, scaly ridges. Range Leaf Common throughout state, Length 10 to 12 inches; usually found along stream compound, and opposite on banks, floodplains, and stem; each compound leaf wet upland sites. It may has from seven to nine stalked form pure stands or grow leaflets; leaflets 3-5 inches long in association with box with apex pointed and slightly elder and red maple. toothed on margin; differs from white ash in having Wood leaf scars that are semi- Heavy, hard, rather strong, circular to crescent shaped, brittle, coarse grained; light extending to base of new bud. brown, with broad layer of lighter sapwood; commercially valuable and used for the same purposes as those of the white ash; also used extensively for ornamental plantings. White Ash 13 (Fraxinus americana)

Form Fruit 1 Large tree; average height A samara, length 1 to 1 ⁄4 70 to 90 feet, diameter 1 to inches; borne in clusters; seed 2 feet, though larger trees bearing portion of the fruit can be found. Stout, upright is rounded in cross section branches form a narrow and wing does not extend crown in the forest, and with along its side; seeds mature sufficient space, a round- in autumn of first year. topped or pyramidal head. Range Bark Found over entire state on Grayish-brown, rather thick a variety of sites, but is on mature trees; narrow most frequently found on ridges are separated with fertile, well-drained sites. marked regularities by deep, diamond-shaped fissures. Wood Light brown, close grained, Leaf heavy, tough and elastic; Length 8 to 10 inches; preferred to all native woods compound and opposite on for making handles and stem, consisting of 5 to 9 athletic and sports equipment; (usually 7) plainly stalked, also used for agricultural sharp pointed leaflets; leaflets implements, furniture interior 3 to 5 inches long, smooth to finishes, posts, ties, fuel and rounded tooth along margin; for ornamental purposes. dark green and smooth above, pale green or whitish beneath; leaf scar crescent shaped, extending up sides of new bud. 14 Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana)

Form Range or small tree; height Found scattered in woods sometimes 20 to 30 feet, of northern Wisconsin; best diameter 4 to 12 inches; development occurs along spreading, slender branches edges of lakes and swamps; form narrow, rounded crown. does best in moist locations, but survives fairly well in drier Bark areas and on thinner soils. 1 About ⁄8 inches thick; smooth, light gray, gradually Wood breaking into small scales. Light, soft and weak; pale brown, with light colored Leaf sapwood; slow growth gives Compound; alternately it very close grain; has no arranged on branch; length commercial value, except about 6 to 8 inches, composed for ornamental purposes. of 13 to 17 leaflets; each leaflet 3 to 4 inches long Notes and about 1 inch wide at Berries remain on tree the middle; leaflets have during the winter and are long points with toothed relished by birds for food. edges, bright green above, turning bright yellow in fall. Fruit A ; bright orange, occurs in dense clusters; 1 diameter about ⁄4 inch; has thin layer of sour flesh containing 1 to 2 seeds; matures in fall of first season. Bigtooth Aspen, 15 Poplar, or Popple (Populus grandidentata)

Form Medium to large tree; height seeds surrounded by long sometimes 60 to 80 feet, white hairs that are wind diameter 10 to 20 inches; disseminated; matures in slender rather than rigid May of the first year. Main branches form narrow rounded mode of regeneration is by crown; stem is usually clear suckering after cutting. of dead branches. Range Bark Found over the entire state, Smooth, gray or yellowish- but prefers sandy or rich green; furrowed and dark soils that are moist. brown at base of old trees. Wood Leaf The use of aspen has increased Alternate, coarse-toothed; dramatically over the past length 3 to 4 inches; dark decades which has changed green upper surface; leaves its status from a “weed” appear 1 to 2 weeks later than tree to the most highly used that of quaking aspen, and species in Wisconsin. It is at first are silvery white. Buds the primary raw material are light gray, downy, not so source for the pulp and paper, sharply pointed and larger hardboard, wafer board than those of quaking aspen. and oriented strand board industries. Other industries Fruit use it in the production of Male and female lumber, matchsticks, lath are found on separate trees. and shavings. The residue 1 The fruit is a capsule, ⁄4 inch generated at these industries long, numerous capsules is used in the production of borne on catkins 4 to 6 inches densified wood fuels (pellets) or long; capsules contain many burned directly as green fuel. 16 Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides)

Form Fruit A short-lived, small to medium Male and female catkins are sized tree; may reach height on separate trees; fruit is a 1 of 60 to 70 feet and diameter capsule; ⁄4 inch long capsules of 12 to 20 inches, but usually borne on catkins 4 to 6 inches somewhat smaller; slender long; each capsule contains branches form an open, many seeds surrounded by round crown; stem of tree is long white hairs that are usually free of dead branches. wind disseminated. Ripens in late spring (May or June) Bark before full expansion of Thin, white to gray-green, leaves. Regeneration is almost smooth with black mainly by root suckering areas around base of limbs; following cutting of tree. has bitter inner bark. Range Leaf Found in all parts of Alternate; small, broadly Wisconsin; one of first species oval, short-pointed at end and to appear after cutting or finely toothed along margin; fire. Found commonly on green and shiny above, dull cutover land; grows well on green below; usually ranges sandy, gravelly soils, but in size from 1 to 2 inches. thrives better on good soil. Leaf stalks are flattened at right angles to leaves, causing Wood leaves to quake or tremble Light brown, surrounded by in a very slight breeze. thick, nearly white sapwood; light, soft, not strong; used extensively in of pulpwood for books, and magazine papers, and low grade lumber. Balm of Gilead or 17 Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera)

Form May attain height of 60 to 80 in May or early June. 1 feet and diameter of 1 ⁄2 to 3 Regeneration usually by root feet or more; grows upright suckering following cutting. with narrow open, pyramidal crown of horizontal branches. Range Naturally distributed Bark throughout northern part Thin, smooth, greenish-brown of state, along streams in color on young trees; and edges of swamps or thicker, furrowed and gray- in other cool localities. black in color on old trees. Wood Leaf Soft, not very strong, close Alternate, ovate, long pointed, grained, heartwood light edges finely toothed, dark brown, sapwood white; used green and shiny above; pale for pulp, boxes, packing and often stained by resin cases and rough lumber. blotches beneath. Buds are large, pointed and covered with a resinous pitch; give off strong, pungent aroma. Fruit Male and female flowers are on separate trees; the fruit is a capsule, borne in catkins 4 to 6 inches long; capsule contains many seeds covered with white hair; wind disseminated for long distances. Seeds mature 18 Basswood or Linden ()

Form Fruit 1 Height 60 to 80 feet, but often Round, hard, nut-like ⁄4 inch exceeding 100 feet with a in diameter, containing 1 to diameter of 1 to 3 feet; trunk 2 seeds; covered with short, often continues straight into thick, brownish-red wool, top of dense rounded crown. attached in clusters to a leafy Stump sprouts readily and is which later acts as a often seen as a group of wing to disseminate seeds 4 to 5 stems originating on wind; fruit often hangs from an old stump. on tree long into winter. Flowers are fragrant, and Bark from them choice-grade Gray with shallow furrows honey is made by bees. and vertical, scaly ridges. Range Leaf Common throughout the Alternate; length and width state on rich, well-drained 4 to 6 inches; heart-shaped, loamy soils, in mixture margin coarsely toothed, with other hardwoods. sharp-pointed at tip; at maturity, thick, shiny green Wood above and paler underneath. Light, soft, tough, not durable; light-brown with scarcely distinguishable sapwood; used in manufacture of paper pulp, wooden ware, furniture, trunks, crating, drawing boards and lumber. Beech 19 (Fagus grandifolia)

Form Range A tall and slender tree in the Found in eastern Wisconsin forest, with a narrow crown; in on fertile, well-drained soils the open, with a short, thick derived from limestone. In trunk and broad, compact, the vicinity of Racine, it rounded crown. Usually attains reaches only a few miles heights of 50 to 75 feet. inland from Lake , but farther north it extends Bark as far west as the Wolf River Most distinctive, it maintains in Langlade County. a smooth, steelgray surface throughout its life. Wood Hard and strong, but not Leaf durable; is used for chairs, tool Simple, oval leaves 3 to handles, lumber and fuelwood. 4 inches long, pointed Although beech is not a at the apex and coarsely highly commercial species, it toothed, becoming leathery should be retained whenever when mature. Persist on possible for its wildlife value. the tree in the winter. It is desirable for landscape work because of its beauty and Fruit freedom from insect pests. A stalked, prickly 4-valved bur, containing usually 2 triangular, shiny brown nuts with a sweet, edible kernel. 20 Bluebeech, American Hornbeam or Musclewood (Carpinus caroliniana)

Form Range Small tree or shrub; height Found over the entire state, rarely 30 feet, spreading, usually on rich moist soils rounded, bushy crown; and well-drained soils in trunk often short and the shade of other trees. characteristically irregularly fluted; resembles muscles Wood of a flexed arm. Tough, close-grained, heavy, very hard and strong; light Bark brown, with thick white Thin, smooth; light, gray- sapwood. The tree is of no brown to slate-gray, sometimes commercial importance, but marked with broad, dark- in the past the wood was used brown horizontal banks. for levers, tool handles, wooded cogs, mallets, wedges and fuel. Leaf Alternate; oval, long-pointed, Notes double-toothed along margin; Also known as Water Beech. length 2 to 3 inches; veins prominent in herringbone pattern; pale, blue-green and smooth above, light yellow-green below. Fruit 1 Nutlet about ⁄3 inch long, attached to a 3-lobed leaf-like bract; are clustered together on a hanging stalk; bract may act as wing in aiding seed distribution by wind; fruit ripens in August. Paper, White or 21 Canoe Birch (Betula papyrifera)

Form Height 65 to 70 feet, diameter disseminating throughout 12 to 20 inches; rounded to the fall and may even be pyramid-shaped crown. seen scattered on the snow. Bark Range Thin, smooth, reddish-brown Generally abundant on young trees turning creamy throughout the state and white with age; marked by occurs chiefly on the better many pores or “lenticels;” sand and gravel soils in readily peeling in large mixture with pine and aspen. pieces exposing orange inner bark; branch scars marked Wood with inverted black V. Hard, strong, tough, light in weight; brown tinged Leaf with red heartwood, nearly Alternate, length 2 to 3 inches, white sapwood; used for width 1 to 2 inches; oval spools, toothpicks, toys, or heart-shaped, pointed, handles, paper pulp, flooring, rounded at base, irregularly firewood and interior finish. toothed; becomes thick and leathery in texture, dark Notes green on upper side and Years ago, birch bark was yellowish-green on lower side. extensively used by northern Native Americans for canoes Fruit and wigwams and for A , about 1 inch long; making baskets, cups, bags contains many tiny, winged and other useful utensils. 1 seeds, seeds about ⁄6 inch in length; seed matures in August and September, 22 River or Red Birch (Betula nigra)

Form Fruit 1 In Wisconsin, normally 40 to A catkin, 1 to 1 ⁄2 inches in 60 feet in height and 1 to 2 length; contains numerous feet in diameter; often forking little winged seeds; seed ripens low to the ground and forming in late spring or early summer. a broad, spreading crown. Range Bark Grows along rich bottomlands Dark brown at base of old of streams and rivers in trunks and deeply furrowed; southwestern corner of state, higher up on main stem and especially in Mississippi and on larger branches, becomes Wisconsin River Valleys. lustrous reddish-brown; peels freely in papery layers; Wood these persist on tree and Light brown heartwood with give it a ragged appearance; thick, pale sapwood, close- twigs are reddish color. grained, hard, strong; however, since this tree is scattered in Leaf its distribution and mostly Simple, alternate and confined to banks of streams, doubly toothed; length 2 to it does not figure largely for 4 inches; usually shallowly commercial pulpwood or and irregularly lobed. lumber, but is used to a great extent for fuel; used some in furniture manufacturing. Yellow Birch 23 (Betula lutea)

Form Fruit Height occasionally 85 feet, Catkin, about 1 inch in length, diameter 2 to 3 feet; developing contains numerous minute a broad, round crown. winged seeds when mature. Ripens in fall of first year. Bark Yellow-gray or straw colored; Range peeling freely into thin, Common in the northern papery layers on younger half of state on rich, moist trees, but developing ragged, uplands with scattered trees broken plates on mature as far south as Sheboygan, trees. Twigs light brown, Sauk and Grant counties. lustrous, and slightly aromatic with oil of wintergreen. Wood Heavy, strong, hard, close- Leaf grained, light brown with Alternate; oval to oblong, pale sapwood; takes good double-toothed margin; polish; used for flooring, length 3 to 5 inches; dull interior finish, veneers, dark green on upper surface wooden ware, furniture and and paler beneath. small wooden novelties; an excellent firewood. 24 Box Elder (Acer negundo)

Form Fruit Height 30 to 50 feet on A samara, 2 winged, favorable soils, diameter hanging in clusters, similar may reach 18 inches; rather to that of sugar maple, bushy on unfavorable soils; but smaller; ripens in late limbs and branches fragile; summer or early fall; often trunk often dividing near stays on trees all winter. the ground, forming an unsymmetrical, open crown. Range Common throughout the Bark state; grows naturally along Smooth and green to purple streams and in cool ravines; on young branches; thin, fairly rapid-growing tree, grayish to light brown and prolific in reproduction. deeply divided on old trees. Wood Leaf Creamy white, soft, light Opposite; compound; 5 to and close-grained; decays 8 inches in length, usually rapidly in contact with with three leaflets (rarely heat and moisture; used 5); lustrous green in color; occasionally for fuel; has no length of leaflets 2 to 4 inches, general commercial value. width 1 and 2 inches. Butternut or 25 White Walnut (Juglans cinerea)

Form Fruit Reaches height of 60 to 80 Light brown nut enclosed in feet and diameter of 3 feet; oblong, somewhat pointed, top develops into open, broad, sticky, yellowish-green crown; may be distinguished husk about 2 inches long; from black walnut by velvet husk covered with short, collars just above scars left rusty, sticky hairs. Nut has by last year’s leaves. rough, grooved shell and oily, sweet edible kernel. Bark Divided into broad, Range scaly intersecting ridges, A common occurrence in forming a rough diamond- the southern part of the shaped pattern; light state and is known to extend gray to light brown. northward into Langlade, Burnett and Ashland counties. Leaf It grows on the better sites. Alternate compound leaves; length 15 to 30 inches, each Wood with 11 to 17 sharply pointed, Light, soft, not strong; coarse oblong, finely-toothed leaflets grained, light brown; takes about 2 to 3 inches long; good polish; used for furniture yellowish-green above and and interior finish for houses. hairy underneath. The pith in the twigs is chambered Notes and chocolate brown. Butternut canker has killed numerous trees throughout Wisconsin. 26 Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)

Form Fruit Height 50 to 70 feet, diameter 8 A , borne in long, inches to 2 feet; with a narrow hanging clusters; dull purplish- to broadly rounded crown. black, containing a single seed; is edible but somewhat Bark bitter; ripens in late summer. Smooth, bright, reddish- brown, marked by conspicuous Range narrow, white horizontal Distributed over entire state, lines on young trees; on but is most common in older trunks, thick, dark southern half on the brown to nearly black, better soils. rough and broken into thick irregular scales. Wood Reddish-brown with yellowish Leaf sapwood, moderately heavy, Alternate; simple, oval, strong, fine-grained; does not shiny above, paler below; warp or split in seasoning; edges broken by many fine has exceptional luster and incurved teeth. Petioles color; used for furniture, and small branches have interior furnishing, tools bitter taste. and implement handles. Choke Cherry 27 (Prunus virginiana)

Form Fruit A shrub or small tree; height A drupe, in dense clusters; usually not over 20 to 25 feet, reddish, turning nearly black diameter 4 to 8 inches; with when fully ripe; each berry an irregular, rounded crown. containing a single seed, skin of fruit thick; flesh thin Bark and dark; very astringent Thin; on young trees is to the taste, but edible. smooth, shiny, brownish and peels off easily in thin, film- Range like layers; becomes thicker Common throughout state dark grayish, with shallow along streams, open woods, fissures; inner bark has bitter cut-over and brushy areas. cherry flavor and aroma. Wood Leaf Heavy, hard, not very Alternate, broadly oval, strong; of no commercial abruptly and sharply pointed, value in Wisconsin. fine-toothed, bright green above, paler underneath; Notes length 3 to 4 inches, width Popular tree for birds. Most 1 to 2 inches. widely distributed tree in , extending from the Arctic Circle to Mexico and from the Atlantic to the Rockies. 28 Pin Cherry (Prunus pennsylvanica)

Form Range Shrub or medium-sized Distributed over the entire tree; 20 to 30 feet in height; state, but is most common in bearing rather ascending the northern half on areas of branches which form a previous forest fires, cutovers, narrow, rounded crown. old fields and roadsides. Bark Wood Thin, reddish-brown, breaking Light, soft, brownish with into papery layers; marked yellowish sapwood; has no by large, irregular horizontal special commercial value; tree bands of orange lenticels. is hardy; provides homes and feeding grounds for song birds. Leaf Alternate; length 3 to 4 inches; width about 1 inch; oblong; apex pointed; finely incurved teeth along edge; shiny green when fully grown. Fruit 1 A drupe, about ⁄4 inch in diameter; thick, reddish skin; thin sour flesh surrounding oblong seed, fruit borne on long-stalked clusters; ripens in middle or late summer. Eastern Cottonwood 29 (Populus deltoides)

Form Range Height may reach 70 to Throughout Wisconsin, 90 feet, diameter 3 to 5 though rarer in the north; feet; grows rapidly; long, often forming extensive groves pyramidal, open crown. along waterways; will grow on dry locations but makes most Bark rapid growth on moist sites. Thin, smooth and light gray on young trees; dark gray and Wood deeply furrowed into broad, Soft, light-weight with dark rounded ridges on older trees. brown heartwood and thick, nearly white sapwood, warps Leaf easily when drying and Alternate; broadly ovate or rots readily; used for boxes, triangular, tapered tip, square fencing, fuel, rough lumber for at base; toothed or wavy on inside use, making high-grade edges, 3 to 5 inches across magazine paper for printing each way; leafstalks flattened half-tone illustrations; grown and 2 to 3 inches long; winter extensively for windbreaks buds covered with - owing to rapid growth brown, resinous scales. and adaptability to soil. Fruit Capsule borne on catkins 6 to 8 inches long; capsule contains many seeds that are enclosed in clusters of white cottony hairs; wind can carry them for long distances. Can be easily propagated from cuttings. 30 American Elm (Ulmus americana)

Form Fruit Large tree; height 80 to 90 A samara; winged, light feet; diameter 2 to 4 feet; green, oval and wafer-like in main stem often branches into appearance; seed portion in several large branches form- center surrounded entirely by ing a crown with pendulous wings; outer end of each wing branches; crown vase-shaped deeply notched; seeds hang and broadly rounded. in clusters; ripen in spring; widely scattered by wind. Bark Thick, divided into irregular, Range broad, flat ridges; ash- Fairly common throughout gray to grayish brown. state; found on rich bottom- lands and low, moist hills Leaf throughout the state in mixture Alternate; length 4 to 6 with other hardwoods. inches; rather thick, somewhat one-sided; doubly toothed Wood on margin, generally rough Light brown, heavy, hard, above, smooth below, strong, rough and difficult to veins very pronounced and split; used for furniture and run in parallel lines from veneer for baskets and crates. mid-rib to edge of leaf. Notes Very susceptible to ; a few resistant hybrids have been developed. Rock Elm 31 (Ulmus thomasii)

Form Fruit 1 Height 80 to 100 feet, diameter A samara, length ⁄2 inch, 2 to 4 feet; seldom forks like ovate, flattened; contains one other , but retains a seed; slightly notched at outer straight central trunk; forming end; ripens in early summer. a narrow, rounded crown with long, graceful branches. Range The rock elm reaches Bark its best development in About 1 inch thick, ash-gray; Wisconsin on the well- divided by deep, irregular drained soils of Langlade fissures into broad, flat ridges; and Shawano counties, but corky ridges or wings develop it is found southward and on the bark of the twigs. westward throughout the state on a variety of soils. Leaf Alternate; double-toothed Wood margin; resembles those of Close-grained, compact and the American elm, but strong; light reddish-brown are more regular in shape, with thick, light-colored smaller, smoother on both sapwood; used for sides, and more leathery. implements, sills, ties, hockey sticks and furniture. Notes Susceptible to Dutch elm disease. 32 Slippery Elm or Red Elm (Ulmus rubra)

Form Range Height 50 to 70 feet, diameter Distributed over the entire 16 to 24 inches; main branches state, but is rare in the frequently extend at right northern portion and is angles to trunk to form broad, usually found on banks of open, flat-topped crown. streams and fertile hillsides. Bark Wood Frequently 1 inch thick, dark Dark brown with light-colored greenish-brown; broken by sapwood; close-grained, shallow fissures into flat ridges. rough, strong, heavy, hard, Winter buds covered moderately durable; used by brown, silky hairs. for fence posts, ties and agricultural implements; inner Leaf bark of trunk and branches Alternate; 4 to 6 inches in once used to some extent length; ovate, sharp-pointed, for medicinal purposes. base not symmetrical, double toothed on margin; thick, Notes dark green and rough on Susceptible to Dutch elm both sides; turns to yellowish disease. Inner bark is fragrant, color before falling. and when chewed becomes mucilaginous and slippery, Fruit whence the tree gets its name. A samara; seed surrounded by thin, broad, greenish 1 wing; diameter about ⁄2 inch; ripens when leaves are about half grown. Hackberry 33 (Celtis occidentalis)

Form Range Height 50 to 75 feet, diameter Found sparingly in southern 1 to 2 feet; limbs often crooked and western part of the and angular; tree-head state, extending northward made up of slender, pendant through the Wisconsin River branches or short, bristly, Valley to Marathon County stubby twigs when growing in and up to St. Croix and Polk the forest; in the open, crown County, most abundant on is generally symmetrical. rich alluvial soil, but will grow on various types of soil. Bark Grayish-brown, much Wood roughened with prominent, Heavy, rather soft, weak and short, corky ridges. coarse-grained; light yellow or greenish-brown with narrow Leaf white sapwood; used in Alternate; length 2 to 4 manufacture of furniture, inches; ovate and sharply fuel and only occasionally toothed toward end of leaf; for lumber. oblique at base; prominent veins; hairy on upper side. Fruit 1 1 Berry-like drupe, ⁄4 to ⁄3 inches in diameter; thin, purplish skin; sweet yellowish flesh, sometimes called sugar berry; ripens in September; frequently hangs on tree most of winter. 34 Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis)

Form Fruit Height 50 to 75 feet, diameter Nut usually thin shelled, 1 to 2 inches; the crown is smooth, brittle; length about open and rounded at the top. 1 inch with thin husk that usually splits only partly down Bark side. Nut is broader than Granite-gray, faintly tinged long; kernel is very bitter. with yellow; broken into thin, plate-like scales; not Range as rough as most ; Found on well-drained, bark does not strip off as fertile soils in the southern that of shagbark hickory. part of the state extending Winter buds are compressed, northward to Langlade, 1 scurfy and bright yellow, ⁄2 Rusk and Polk counties. inch or more in length. Wood Leaf Hard, strong, heavy, and Alternate; compound; length reddish-brown; used for 6 to 10 inches; composed of 7 hoops, fuel and farm to 9 leaflets, 4 to 6 inches long implements. Wood is and with toothed margins; considered somewhat inferior each leaflet relatively much to the shagbark hickory. smaller and more slender than that of other hickories. Shagbark Hickory 35 (Carya ovata)

Form Fruit A large tree; height 60 to A nut borne singly or in pairs, 100 feet, diameter 1 to 2 feet; globular in shape, enclosed in open, rounded crown with husk that is thick and deeply conspicuous shaggy bark. grooved at seams and splits entirely into 4 parts. Nuts Bark compressed or flattened and Rougher than that of other light-brown colored; shell is hickories; shaggy, light gray thin and kernel is sweet. and separates into thick, vertical strips that are only Range slightly attached to tree. Found in the southern part of Terminal winter buds are the state on moist, rich soils large, hairy and egg-shaped. and well-drained hillsides. Leaf Wood Alternate; compound; Light brown heartwood with length 8 to 15 inches and nearly white sapwood; heavy, composed of 5 (rarely 7) ovate hard, tough and very strong; leaflets; end leaflet larger used largely in manufacture of than other leaflets; margin agricultural implements and of leaflet covered with fine tool handles; makes very good teeth and numerous hairs. fuel and is best of all woods for smoking meats. Nut is important wildlife food source. 36 Ironwood or Hop Hornbeam ()

Form Range Height 20 to 40 feet; diameter Found throughout the 5 to 12 inches; broad, rounded state, usually on the crown; branches long and better, well-drained soils or slender, drooping at ends. gravel ridges in mixtures with other hardwoods. Bark 1 About ⁄4 inch thick; light Wood gray-brown; finely divided Very strong, hard, heavy, into narrow, thin scales durable, light brown, with that are easily rubbed off. thick, pale sapwood; used for fence posts, handles of Leaf tools, mallets and other Alternate; generally oblong small articles and fuel. with narrow tips, doubly toothed along margins; Notes length 2 to 4 inches; dark, The tree receives its common dull, yellow-green above and name from the quality of its light yellow-green below. wood and its hop-like fruit. Fruit In clusters of leafy bracts; each bract contains one flattened, 1 ribbed, hard nutlet about ⁄3 1 inch long and ⁄8 inch wide; fruit ripens in July and August. Juneberry or Serviceberry 37 (Amelanchier canadensis)

Form Range A small tree; height seldom Common throughout state, over 25 feet, diameter 4 to but best development is along 8 inches; rather narrow, banks of streams, shores of rounded crown. lakes, or open upland woods. Bark Wood Thin, usually gray; smooth on Heavy, hard, strong, close- branches and upper part of grained, dark brown; has stem, breaking into shallow no commercial importance; fissures on short trunk. desirable as ornamental because of flowers and for Leaf habitat and food for wildlife. Alternate; 3 to 4 inches long, ovate, apex sharply pointed, fine-toothed; purplish-brown until nearly mature; light green covered with scattered, silky hairs when mature. Fruit A pome; sweet, edible, round, dark purple when ripe; 1 1 diameter ⁄3 to ⁄2 inches; fruit ripens in July or August. 38 Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

Form Range A medium sized tree, 30 to 50 Not native to the state, but feet high; sometimes larger. has been planted extensively. Open grown specimens In some places has escaped usually branch low, forming a from cultivation, as it grows narrow, open crown. Twigs and on a wide variety of soils. branchlets carry strong, sharp spines which occur in pairs Wood with a leaf-scar between them. Yellow in color, close grained, very heavy and hard; strong Bark and very durable in contact Brown with yellow or orange with the soil. The wood is inner bark; heavily furrowed, potentially valuable, but forming an interlacing pattern rarely obtains log size due to of fibrous ridges, rope-like. attacks of the locust borer. Use is therefore limited to Leaf fence posts and firewood. Alternate, compound; consisting of from 7 to 19 Notes oblong, thin leaflets. Originally planted for soil erosion control purposes, Fruit for which it is well suited. A legume; 3 to 5 inch long Fragrant, white flowers in the pod containing 4 to 8 small, spring make it very attractive. hard seeds which ripen late Is generally considered a in the fall and persist through weed because it spreads the winter on the tree. prolifically by suckering. Honey Locust 39 (Gleditsia triacanthos)

Form Height 30 to 50 feet, taller pod often becomes twisted as under very favorable condi- seeds ripen; seeds are hard tions; may reach diameter and each is separated from of 16 inches; slender, spread- the others by the pulp. ing, somewhat pendulous branches form broad, open, Range rather flat top crown. Native only to southwestern Wisconsin, but has been Bark planted in other sections. It Dark gray or brown on attains its best development old trees; dividing into on rich, moist river bottoms, strips; strong, sharp, shiny but will do well on fertile, branched thorns appear on well-drained soil. one-year old branches and remain for many years. Wood Reddish-brown heartwood, Leaf coarse-grained; hard, strong, 2 types, both alternate; type not durable in contact with 1 is compound with 18 to ground; used for fence posts, 28 leaflets; type 2 is doubly cross ties and fuel; has been compound, consisting of 4 to planted to some extent for 7 leaflets, each 6 to 8 inches windbreaks and hedges. long; each leaflet consisting of 16 to 24 secondary leaflets. Notes A thornless variety of honey Fruit locust is widely planted A legume; length 10 to 18 as an ornamental. 1 1 inches, width ⁄2 to 1 ⁄2 inches; flat, dark brown or black when ripe, containing seeds and yellow-whitish pulp; 40 Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Form Range Height 40 to 65 feet, Occurs over the entire state; diameter 10 inches to 2 feet, prefers moist soils, though sometimes larger; forms a is common on drier sites in narrow, rounded crown. mixture with other trees. Bark Wood Smooth, light gray on young Heavy, close-grained, rather stems; dark gray and rough on weak, light-brown; used in old limbs and trunk; old bark furniture manufacturing, divided by shallow fissures into woodenware and fuel. flat, scaly ridges at surface, making tree look shaggy. Notes Shape and beautiful foliage Leaf colors make red maple an Opposite; 2 to 5 inches long, important ornamental tree. 3 to 5 lobes, with double- toothed margins; upper surface light green when mature; lower surface whitish and partly covered with pale down. Winter buds are small, red and somewhat rounded. Fruit 1 A samara, 2 winged; ⁄2 to 1 inches in length on long, drooping stems; red, reddish-brown or yellow; ripens in late spring and germinates immediately. Silver Maple 41 (Acer saccharinum)

Form Fruit Height up to 100 feet, diameter A pair of winged samaras; 3 feet or more; trunk usually wings 1 to 2 inches long; short, divided into a number samaras on slender, flexible, of long ascending limbs which thread-like stems about are again divided; their small 1 inch long. Mature in spring, branches droop, but turn and germinate immediately. upward at tips, forming large, spreading round crowns. Range Common tree on river bottoms Bark or other deep, moist soils in 2 On young trees or branches, the southern ⁄3 of the state. smooth and varies in color from reddish to a yellowish- Wood gray; on old branches, Light-brown, strong, fairly dark gray and broken into hard, even texture, rather long flakes or scales. brittle, easily worked; decays readily when Leaf exposed to weather or Opposite; 3 to 5 lobes ending soil; occasionally used for in long points separated by flooring, furniture and fuel; deep, angular openings; often mixed with red maple margins toothed; pale green for commercial purposes. on upper surface and silvery underneath; buds rounded Notes and red or reddish-brown. Popular as a shade tree, but branches are apt to be broken in storms. 42 Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

Form Fruit Height 80 to 100 feet A pair of fused samaras, about or more, diameter 2 1 inch long; matures in fall. to 3 feet; symmetrical, heavy, round crown. Range Found throughout the Bark state on the better soils. On young trees, light gray to brown and somewhat Wood smooth; on older trees, gray Light brown, hard, heavy, to almost black with long, strong, close-grained; known irregular plates or scales commercially as hard or rock which often loosen on the maple; used in the manu- sides. Twigs are smooth and facture of flooring, furniture, reddish-brown with sharp- maple syrup and fuel. pointed winter buds. Leaf Opposite; 3 to 5 inches long, usually 5 lobed; lobes wavy toothed; dark green on upper surface, paler green below; in autumn, turning brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red. Black Oak 43 (Quercus velutina)

Form Fruit Height 50 to 75 feet, Light brown acorn that diameter 1 to 3 feet; clear matures the second season; 1 trunk for 20 feet or more length ⁄2 inch to 1 inch; 1 on large trees; crown wide shape somewhat round; ⁄2 3 and irregularly shaped. to ⁄4 of nut enclosed in thin, dark brown, scaly cup; kernel Bark yellow and extremely bitter. On young trees, smooth and dark brown; thick and Range black on older trees, with Found on dry uplands, deep furrows and rough, gravel slopes and ridges over broken ridges; inner bark southern half of the state. bright yellow and bitter due to presence of tannic acid. Wood Hard, heavy, strong, coarse- Leaf grained, not tough, checks Alternate; length 5 to 8 inches; easily; bright reddish-brown width 3 to 5 inches; lobed heartwood with thin outer edge half-way to mid-rib; ends are of paler sapwood; principally bristle-tipped; when mature, used for construction, interior thick, dark green and shiny finish, furniture, pulp, ties, on upper surface, pale on fuel; and yellow lower; covered more or less can be made from bark. with down; conspicuous rusty brown hairs in forks of veins. Notes Susceptible to . 44 Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)

Form Fruit Height 80 feet or more Acorn set deeply or almost under favorable conditions, enclosed in fringed, burr-like diameter 3 to 4 feet; under cap, ovoid in shape; diameter unfavorable conditions, not may reach 1 inch or more; over 25 feet in height; often however, varies widely in grows in the open where the respect to size and degree to tree usually has broad top of which nut is enclosed in the heavy spreading branches mossy fringed cup. Seed is bit- and relatively short trunk. ter, and matures in 1 season. Bark Range Thick, deeply furrowed on Distributed over the entire surface into irregular, plate- state; towards the north, trees like broken scales; dark gray are smaller; prefers moist, well- to black in color. Bark on drained soils; the common oak smaller branches develops of the “oak openings” in the corky wings, or ridges, giving southwestern part of the state. it a gnarly appearance. Wood Leaf Heavy, hard, strong, Length 6 to 10 inches, width tough, durable, rich brown 3 to 6 inches; crowded at heartwood; uses similar ends of twigs; resembles to that of white oak. white oak, but has pair of deep indentations near base and wavy notches on broad middle and upper portions; dark green above, paler and hairy beneath. Chinkapin Oak 45 (Quercus muehlenbergii)

Form Range Reaches 80 to 100 feet in Distributed sparsely over south- height and 3 to 4 feet ern Wisconsin, extending up to in diameter. the Rock River above Janesville, up the Wisconsin to Sauk Bark City and up the Mississippi to 1 Rarely ⁄2 inch thick and Lynxville. Reports show that it broken into thin, loose, occurs as far east as southeast- pale gray scales. ern Waukesha County. It grows on limestone ridges, and on Leaf fertile bottom lands and rocky Usually crowded on the end stream banks. This tree was of the slender branches, 4 to once fairly plentiful in several 7 inches long; margin with southwestern counties and sharp, incurving or broad should be favored where found. round teeth. Upper surface is light yellow-green, the Wood underside pale and covered The wood is similar to with fine short hairs. white oak and equal to it in quality, although it tends Fruit to contain more knots. The acorns grow singly or in pairs, with short heavy stalks, the nut covered for half its length by the thin cup. Seed is sweet and edible. 46 Northern Pin, Hills or Jack Oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis)

Form Range In Wisconsin, Northern pin Northern pin oak is found oak seldom exceeds a height of throughout the state, usually 50 feet or a diameter of on sandy soils of low fertility. 2 feet. The trunk is short and It originally grew in mixture bears many forked branches. with pines, but fires have killed most of the pines, while the Bark oak was able to reproduce The bark resembles that from sprouts. As a result, there of the scarlet oak, but the are many acres in Wisconsin inner bark is pale yellow. capable of producing pine that are growing this oak. Leaf The leaves are similar to scarlet Wood oak, but not so shiny above, The wood resembles red with five to seven lobes. Late oak and is used for fuel, in autumn, they turn yellow posts, railroad ties and or pale brown, or more or some pulp. less blotched with purple. Fruit The acorn requires 2 seasons to mature, and is enclosed 1 1 for ⁄3 to ⁄2 of its length in the cap, which gradually tapers at the base. Red Oak 47 (Quercus rubra)

Form Fruit Height 70 to 90 feet; Large, bitter acorn, maturing diameter ranges from 2 to the second year; length 1 1 3 feet; in forest situations, to 1 ⁄2 inches; blunt-topped, tall and straight with clear flat at base, enclosed in a trunk and narrow crown. very shallow, dark brown cup that is velvety inside. Bark On young stems, smooth, dark Range gray to dark brown; on older Grows throughout Wisconsin trees, thick and gray to brown; on the better sites. broken by shallow fissures into regular, flat, smooth- Wood surfaced, vertical plates. Light, reddish-brown heartwood; hard, strong and Leaf coarse; used for construction Alternate; length 5 to 9 inches; and finish of houses, furniture width 4 to 6 inches, broader and fuel. Best logs are toward the tip; divided into largely cut into veneer. 7 to 9 lobes, each extending 1 ⁄2 way to the mid-rib; each lobe somewhat coarsely toothed and bristle-tipped, dull green above, paler below. Buds thick and pointed. 48 Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)

Form Fruit Height may reach 65 to 80 feet An acorn; length about 1 3 and diameters of 2 to 3 feet; inch; width ⁄4 inches, enclosed 1 forming an open, sometimes for about ⁄3 of its length in irregular, round-topped crown. thick-walled cup. Usually in pairs on slender, dark brown Bark stalks which are 2 to 4 inches Thick, deeply and irregularly long. Mature in 1 season. divided by fissures into broad ridges; grayish-brown; Range bark on upper branches Sparsely distributed over the ragged and often peeling. southern part of the state, extending into Wood and Leaf Buffalo counties; it grows on Length 5 to 6 inches, width the borders of streams and 2 to 4 inches; often crowded swamps in moist, fertile soil. towards ends of twigs; broad at middle (pear-shaped) and Wood wedge-shaped at base; wavy Light brown, hard, strong, and indented along margin; tough and durable; dark green and shiny above, commercially, its uses and grayish and fuzzy beneath. properties are similar to white oak and bur oak. White Oak 49 (Quercus alba)

Form Fruit Height 60 to 100 feet, A light brown acorn maturing 3 diameter 2 to 3 feet and the first year; length ⁄4 to 1 1 may become large. Tall and inch, about ⁄4 enclosed in straight in forest; short in the cap; germinates in a few open with wide spreading, weeks after ripening and broad, rounded crown; sends down a long, deep numerous heavy limbs top root before winter. spreading irregularly. Range Bark Common on the better soils in Pale gray, scaly, but the southern half of the state. not deeply fissured. Wood Leaf Light brown; hard and durable; Alternate; length 5 to 9 inches one of our most useful woods and about half as broad; for heavy construction; used crowded towards ends of for railroad ties, interior twigs; deeply divided into 5 finishes, furniture and fuel. to 9 lobes; becoming light green above and much paler below; sometimes remain on tree most of the winter. 50 Wild Plum (Prunus americana)

Form Range Shrub or small tree; height Found generally scattered usually 15 to 25 feet; over the state in thickets, maximum diameter 10 particularly along banks of inches; trunk usually short streams; grows best on rich and thorny; divides a short soil or in moist locations, distance from the ground. though will grow elsewhere. Its hardiness also fits it for Bark rather severe locations. Thin, reddish-brown; broken into thin plates. Wood Strong, hard, close-grained; Leaf dark brown with light-colored Alternate; somewhat oval, sapwood; tree has no special long and narrow-pointed; commercial value other than double-toothed along edge; for its fruit and wildlife value. dark green above, paler below; length 2 to 5 inches, width about 2 inches. Fruit 3 A drupe; ⁄4 inch in diameter; outer skin orange-red when ripe, with yellowish, sweet flesh; flesh clings to seed; fruit ripens in late summer, and contains a single stone. Black Walnut 51 (Juglans nigra)

Form Height often 100 feet, diameter kernel which is edible and 2 to 4 feet; when grown in highly nutritious; matures the open, stem short, crown in fall of first season. broad and spreading. Range Bark Grows on rich bottomlands Thick and very dark brown; and moist, fertile hillsides in divided by rather deep southern part of state; is easily fissures into round ridges. propagated from nuts and Blocky appearance. grows rapidly on good sites. Leaf Wood Alternate on stem; compound, Most valuable forest tree in 1 to 2 feet long, consisting of the state. Rich chocolate- 7 to 11 pairs of yellow-green brown heartwood is of leaflets, smooth above, pale superior quality and value; and hairy underneath; leaflets heavy, hard, strong, and about 3 inches long, extremely comparatively free from tapered at ends and toothed warping and checking; takes along margin. The chambered a high polish and is very pith is cream colored. durable; highly prized for a great variety of uses such Fruit as furniture and gun-stocks; A large, round nut borne small trees consist mostly singly or in pairs and enclosed of sapwood, which is light- in solid green husk, which colored and not durable. is not sticky and does not spread open even after nut is ripe. The nut is black with very hard, thick, finely-ridged shell, enclosing a rich, oily 52 Willows (Salix spp.)

Form A large of trees and willow: very narrow leaves, , some varieties not green on both sides; peach- commonly distinguished from leaf willow: long pointed, each other; become large when lance-shaped leaves, whitish growing along streams and underneath, borne on long, other moist places; scraggly, slender, somewhat twisted dwarfed shrubs when growing stems; weeping willow: leaves in drier, less favorable sites. The whitened or pale beneath. black willow is native, and the weeping and crack willows were Fruit originally foreign, or exotic. On Flowers in dense, elongated favorable sites, some trees are clusters know as “catkins”; often 35 to 50 feet high, with a flowers usually appear with diameter of 6 to 25 inches. The leaves in spring. Willows may black willow may be 30 to 40 be propagated with “cuttings” feet high, though it could also more easily than with seeds. be a shrub; usually short trunk, Seeds are minute, maturing in stout, spreading branches, and late spring or early summer. a broad, rather irregular, open crown. The peach-leaf willow Range is somewhat greenish-yellow; Many varieties occur over a twigs somewhat drooping. wide range in Wisconsin and the from moist Bark conditions to dry upland Dark brown to gray on prairies. Many European large trees; thick, rough, and ornamental varieties furrowed and flaky. have been introduced. Leaf Wood White willow and crack Light brown, soft, weak, willow leaves: whitish on flexible, coarse-grained; lower surface; crack willow: thin, whitish sapwood; used large, saw-toothed leaves for fuel, erosion control, and twigs that crack or break ornamental planting, from branches very easily; windbreaks and . white willow: leaves smaller, finely toothed, and often permanently silky; black Sign Posts to Follow 53 in Using your “Tree Road Map”

Coniferous (Evergreen) Deciduous (Hardwoods)

Alternate Opposite Branching Branching

Pith of Twig Pith of Twig Chambered Not Chambered 54 White Cedar Red Cedar

ree road map” will help direct you to identify your tree. Leaves Not Needle Shaped

ee The Pines Note: this “T Read carefully what it says about each species in the guide. Leaves in Groups

our Tr Y

The Spruces Leaves in Clusters amarack (Deciduous) Leaves Needle Shaped

T

Coniferous (Evergreen) Leaves Single Flat Needles Angled Hemlock Balsam Fir

55

oothed Ashes Box Elder Soft Maple Compound Leaves Leaf Outline T White Cedar Red Cedar

y y Hard Maple Simple Leaves

viceber ry Leaf Outline Smooth Ser Cherries Hackberr Mulberr Basswood ree road map” will help direct you to identify your tree.

Opposite Branching wig Not Plated Leaves Not Needle Shaped illow Hickories

The Locust Ironwood W Blue Beech Elms Mountain Ash Others

Pith of T

ee ee The Pines Deciduous (Hardwood) Note: this “T Read carefully what it says about each species in the guide. Leaves in Groups Compound Leaves B eech

our Tr

our Tr wig Plated lnut Y Y Wa Flattened Stems Butternut

The Poplars (Aspen) Pith of T Alternate Branching The Spruces Leaves in Clusters amarack (Deciduous) Leaves Needle Shaped ithout

y Bark wigs W Paper Paper Birch Simple Leaves intergreen Flavor Leaves Not Lobed

T

Coniferous (Evergreen)

W

T

Oaks and Leaves Single Leaves Lobed Some Hawthorns intergreen Flavor

Flat Needles Angled Thorns Hemlock Balsam Fir ellow Birch River wigs with W

T Y

Some Hawthorns

56 Sign Posts to Follow in Using Your “Tree Road Map”

Simple leaf not lobbed Simple leaf lobed with with toothed outline smooth outline

Compound leaf Single needles with 13 leaflets

Needles in groups Needles in clusters How to Prevent 57 Forest Fires

The forest fire hazard in leaving the fire, enough water Wisconsin is extremely high should be poured on it to kill it compared to other states. completely. It is a good policy This is due to our geographic to feel the ashes with the location, soil and timber hand to make sure they are types, topography, and dead. Never bury a campfire general climate, all of which with duff or litter since this combine to create conditions only holds the fire, allowing under which fires start easily it to smolder in readiness to and spread rapidly. This is start up later. Never throw true particularly in the vast away burning cigarettes timber regions of the state. and cigar stubs, pipe ashes, or matches in the woods. Adequate fire protection is the basis of all conservation. If You V iolate a Forest we are to preserve our forests Law if You – which means if we are to 1. Fail to extinguish continue to enjoy hunting, your fire. fishing, camping, and the 2. Burn without a permit. beauties of the out-of-doors as well as the economic 3. Allow a fire to spread. advantages of 4. Cut timber without industries – we must all do our permission of the owner. part in preventing forest fires. 5. Remove forest products Actually, fire prevention from the lands of requires only a little good another without written judgment. Campfires should permission of the owner. be built on mineral soil with The destruction, injury, or all leaves and duff cleared defacing of any sign, guide back for a 5-foot radius. All post, building or property fires should be attended while of any kind belonging to they are burning. Before the state is unlawful. 58 How Forest Fire Danger is Measured

Most people can tell High reasonably well how dry it is Dangerous conditions. by observing some natural Fires start readily from a signs that are present. That match or sparks, spread was once the way the fire quickly, and spot readily. fighters determined forest fire Difficult to control. Burning danger – but no more. is not recommended. Now the fire managers use Moderate such factors as relative humidi- Fires start from a match ty, fuel moisture, precipitation, or burning embers, spread wind velocity, and condition of quickly in dry grass or leaves. ground vegetation – dry, green, Burn with extreme caution. or in between these two. Tem- perature also has a relative Low effect. The ranger can tell from Fires will start from an open his calculation what he has flame, spread slowly and in to prepare for in the way of absence of wind tend to go people and equipment to cope out. The safest time to burn. with the current fire situation.

Information on the current forest fire danger in forest and wildland areas is often given on radio and TV programs.

The sign found at many ranger stations throughout the state, displays the current local fire danger rating. The rating shown on the sign refers to the following burning condition list and will help you to understand what the situation is where you live. Extreme Explosive conditions. Fires start easily, burn fiercely and crown readily. Often very difficult or impossible to control during the day. Burning not recommended. Very High Very dangerous conditions. Fires start easily, spread very rapidly, crown and spot. Very difficult to control. Burning is not recommended. What Causes Forest 59 Fires to Start?

Most fires are caused by Useful Fire people. There are so many Wisconsin’s Forest Fire people using Wisconsin Control program is not forest and recreational areas intended to prohibit the today that it is very difficult proper and beneficial use to reach all of them with a of fire. Fire adequately fire prevention warning. The controlled and managed can mass of outdoor enthusiasts be an efficient and effective keeps changing from day land management tool, as to day. This makes the fire it is for heating, cooking, prevention problem even more recreation, or industrial complex. No one really intends use. It should always be to destroy the beauty of our recognized that uncontrolled forests or damage our natural fire is a devastating natural resources, but it is difficult force. In recognition of this for persons not acquainted and other factors such as with fire control work to air pollution and conditions realize the tremendous, of extreme danger, the best destructive potential of skill and judgment should wild, uncontrolled fire. be used to minimize risks You can help prevent forest and environmental damage. fires by being extra careful Alternative procedures should when you are hunting, be used when practicable. camping, hiking or otherwise enjoying the outdoors. 60 Wildlife and Forests

The abundance and diversity Composition of Wisconsin’s wildlife would The mix of tree species found be greatly reduced without in a forest will also influence the presence of the forest wildlife. A forest without oak trees described within this trees is likely to be without publication. They provide squirrels and not used much shelter, nest and den sites, by wild turkeys. A lack of as well as, a source for food. dead trees or snags will reduce However, not only does the woodpecker use. As you learn presence or absence of forest to recognize Wisconsin’s affect wildlife, but the forest trees, you will be opening size, age and composition the door to life-long study has a big impact. and appreciation of wildlife and forest relationships. Size You’ll learn that if you care As the size of a forest increases, about wildlife that you so does the variety of wildlife need to care about the species present. Bird species condition of our forest trees. such as the barred owl, yellow-bellied sapsucker or hermit thrush are found most frequently in forests 100 acres in size or larger. Age A young forest may be more favorable than an older forest to some species. A 1969-82 study of ruffed grouse in central Wisconsin found that the density of grouse more than doubled when the proportion of the aspen-oak forest under 25-years old increased from 13% to 55%.