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Home , Acer negundo, Fraxinus nigra, Quercus muehlenbergii, Ulmus thomasii

Forest of Wisconsin How to Know Them

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

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 ...... Tsuga canadensis ...... 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 Trees () Ash, black ...... nigra ...... 11 Ash, green ...... ...... 12 Ash, white...... ...... 13 Ash, mountain ...... Sorbus Americana ...... 14 Aspen, big-tooth ...... Populus grandidentata ...... 15 Aspen, quaking ...... Populus tremuloides ...... 16 Balm of Gilead (balsam poplar) ...... Populus balsamifera ...... 17 Basswood (linden) ...... ...... 18 Beech ...... ...... 19 Bluebeech (hornbeam) ...... Carpinus caroliniana ...... 20 Birch, paper ...... Betula papyrifera ...... 21 Birch, river ...... Betula nigra ...... 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 ...... Populus deltoides ...... 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 ...... Carya ovata ...... 35 Ironwood (hop hornbeam) ...... ...... 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 ...... Quercus macrocarpa ...... 44 Oak, chinkapin ...... Quercus muehlenbergii ...... 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 Walnut, black ...... ...... 51 Willows ...... Salix species ...... 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 & Forests ...... 60

Note: Illustrations are not drawn to scale. Forward

“Forest Trees of Wisconsin” was Today, forestry in Wisconsin is first published in 1928. vitally important to our It was written by F. G. Wilson, economy as well as our one of the eleven original forest overall well-being. rangers hired by the state in 1911. Fred Wilson, along with Wisconsin’s forest industry is nd several other foresters, was one the 2 largest employer in the of the original pioneers of forest state. We are the leading state management in Wisconsin. He in paper production and a was the first to use seedlings to leader in the production of replant forest stands and was high quality veneer and instrumental in developing the sawlogs. But, most importantly, state forest nurseries for this Wisconsin’s forests are purpose. The wisdom of Fred’s managed in a way that pioneering efforts culminated guarantees the scenery, in his planting the one recreation, wildlife, water billionth from the state quality and aesthetic benefits nurseries in 1979. its citizens demand.

Seventy-seven years after the “The man who has a piece of first publication of this book, woodland where during the winter the words written in the months he cuts firewood and original Forward are still fencing, and a few logs for the pertinent today: repair of building and imple- ments, and during certain years “Trees are important to Wisconsin when prices are high cuts some landscapes from the standpoint of logs for the neighboring sawmill, beauty as single specimens or in- but at the same time looks after groups. In forest and farm the piece of woods, clears it of woodlands, they are vital tools for dead timber and other rubbish, the stabilization of the soil and in thus keeping out fire and , slowing water runoff. Forests are and otherwise makes an effort to our largest public hunting and keep the land covered with forest - fishing grounds and produce such a man practices forestry. His wildlife and recreational benefits forest may be small or large, his as well as timber crops. ways of doing may be simple and imperfect, the trees may not be In the near future the capitalized the best kind for the particular value of Wisconsin’s forest will be locality and soil, they may not be about a billion dollars and the as thrifty as they should and value of a single year’s crop of could be; but nevertheless here is finished forest products may a man who does not merely exceed this amount in a single destroy the woods nor contents year. It is evident that we must himself with cutting down continue to protect these forests whatever he can sell, but one who from fire, insects and disease and cares for the woods as well as uses all citizens should cooperate in them, one who sows as well as this program.” harvests. He is a forester, and his 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 is reproduce before they die. the basis for classifying . Vegetative For example, white pine seeds Reproduction grow in pairs on the inner surface of the cone scales, Many trees reproduce while the hickory seed is vegetatively under certain enclosed in a nut. This really conditions, for example, most is the difference between the of the broad trees will conifers or evergreens, and the sprout if cut when small, while 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 from sense, meaning the seeds and the roots at considerable seed bearing part, therefore, distance from the parent tree. the acorn 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 stamens limbs of black spruce often and pistils are found in the touch the ground and, where same tree. This is best moss grows over the limb back illustrated with the corn , of the tips, roots develop, and where the tassel or staminate finally the tip of the branch produces the pollen becomes a new tree. which must fertilize the grains in the ear. You have all seen Man uses the ability of some ears of corn where some of the trees to reproduce kernels did not develop vegetatively. Cuttings from because they were not small branches of willow or fertilized by pollen. eastern cottonwood bearing several buds can be set in the With some species like the ground to grow, because they ashes and the poplars, some 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 and of these unopened cones and there are no Lombardy place one on a hot stove and poplars bearing staminate 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 from the aspens are very light nail is driven into the trunk of and so perishable that they a ten foot tree at five feet from must come in contact with the ground, it will still be five moist mineral soil within a feet from the ground when the few hours. As they are 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 have the growing space. A close enabled the aspen to reforest spacing between trees, shades many of the burned over the tree stems by restricting areas. Pin cherry also comes sunlight and causes side in on areas after forest fires branches to die and fall off, because eat the cherries leaving tall straight clean and may drop the seed far stems which are valuable for from the parent tree. timber. Shade trees which have room to spread out have a Seeds of pine, maple and large crown with spreading basswood have wings so that limbs and a short stem. Notice they are carried farther by the trees at the edge of a forest, wind, while the heavy nuts they have branches on the side and acorns are often buried towards the open while the 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 color Jack pine is especially and character of bark vary interesting because it protects 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 the on the denuded land. In this tree, while leaves on the way jack pine predominates sprouts from a tree which was on lands which originally cut may be excessively large carried mostly Norway or and of unusual shape. Notice white pine. If jack pine grows 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 distinguish- ing characteristics in describ- ing each tree. After you have identified the trees, they can be recognized as you recog- nize your friends on the street even though you cannot describe them so that a stranger will recognize them. Northern White Cedar 1 or Arbor Vitae (Thuja occidentalis)

Form Compact pyramidal; height scales; borne singly or in large 50 to 60 feet and 2 to 3 feet in clusters on ends of branches. 1 diameter; trunk often Seeds ⁄8 inch long, with 2 buttressed, strongly tapered narrow wings almost circling and frequently divided into 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 stiff grows usually in moist places and persistent; in the open, where it is often found in develops a conical, dense pure stands; however, symmetrical crown. farther north it appears on well-drained slopes, usually in Bark 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 lumber and shingles. aromatic scent when crushed; pungent to the taste. Notes It is one of the preferred and Fruit important species for deer Small, oblong cone that browse in the winter. There matures in one season; are numerous ornamental 1 1 yellowish-brown; ⁄3 to ⁄2 varieties. inches in size, with 6 to 12 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 1 crown is pyramidal, becoming to 4 seeds in the sweet flesh; rounded; height 25 to 30 feet matures in 1 season. 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 prostrate on poor, rocky state; most abundant on and dry sites. limestone ridges in southwestern part of state Bark where few other trees are Thin, reddish brown, peeling found. One of the first trees to off in long, vertical shred-like invade abandoned fields. strips. Wood Leaf Red, fine-grained, soft, weak, Two kinds, usually found on fragrant and very durable; same tree; more common kind used for interior woodwork, is dark green, minute and chests, closets, lead pencils, scale-like, clasping the stem in posts and poles. 4 ranks so that the stem appears square; second kind Notes usually appears on young Is a favorable winter food for trees or vigorous shoots, are some birds. Red cedar spreads awl-shaped, quite sharp- cedar apple rust; therefore it is pointed, spreading and not favorable to plant in or whitened on underside. near orchards or anywhere in regions devoted to commercial apple production. Balsam Fir 3 (Abies balsamea)

Form Range Medium size, attaining Found in forests of the heights of 40 to 60 feet and northern half of Wisconsin; diameter of 1 to 2 feet; short- usually in association with spreading branches form a white spruce from which it handsome, symmetrical, can easily be distinguished by spire-like crown. its large upright cones and soft leaves; thrives in cool, Bark moist, or shaded places. Thin, smooth, grayish, prominently marked by Wood blisters filled with resin or Light brown, soft, not strong balsam pitch. or durable; coarse grained; is used mainly for paper pulp; Leaf also an important Christmas Needle-like, stalkless and flat; tree. The oleoresin from the 1 length ⁄2 to 1 inch with pitch blisters on the bark is rounded point, dark green “ Balsam,” much used and lustrous above and silvery in optical instruments, white bands beneath; twisted; microscopic slides, etc. as 2-ranked arrangement on transparent cement for glass. twig; resinous and fragrant. Notes Fruit Two serious pests occur Cones upright on branches, on balsam fir: the spruce purple, oblong; length 2 to 4 budworm and balsam inches; becomes mature in woody aphid. first year; seeds when ripe 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 diameter of 2 to 4 feet; length; scales thin and almost branches spreading and nearly as 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 gray in occur on cool north slopes in color; with deep furrows Columbia, Sauk and Vernon separating the broad, counties. It grows on the flattened scales. better 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-green coarse, brittle, splintering, and with 2 whitish bands not durable; often manufac- underneath; a 2-ranked tured into coarse general arrangement; twigs roughened construction lumber. by woody, raised projections (sterigmata) where needles Notes attach to twigs. Most buds are Heavily browsed by deer; 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 dead along the Wisconsin River to branches on trunk all the and Grant counties. way to the ground. Wood Bark Light, soft, not strong, close Dark brown, irregularly divided grained, clear pale brown by furrows into small scales. with thick, nearly white sapwood. Primarily a Leaf pulpwood 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 to inches; 2 years to maturity; 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; cones are purplish in color occasionally 120 feet tall; 2 to when ripe; seeds small, length 1 3 feet in diameter; branches about ⁄8 inch, dark or mottled on mature trees form an open, brown, winged and widely rounded, picturesque crown. scattered by the wind. Bark Range Becomes divided into large, Found in pure stands in many reddish brown plates as it parts of northern Wisconsin matures, which gives trees its and isolated stands occur as characteristic appearance and far south as Dane County. It is one of its common names, usually found on sandier soils red pine. than white pine. Increasing in popularity for forest planting Leaf because of its general freedom Needles in clusters of 2; dark from disease and insect attack. green to yellow-green; 4 to 6 inches long; brittle (easily Wood broken when doubled between Pale red with thin, nearly the fingers); needle sheath white sapwood; moderately persistent. hard, close grained and used mainly for pulpwood. Fruit Increasingly being used for Cone about 2 inches in construction lumber, pilings length. The thin, slightly and pressure-treated poles. concave cone scales are without spines or prickles and Notes are free from resin. Cones Often called Norway pine. Red short stalked to nearly sessile. pine is a fast growing species Like all pines, it requires and needs full sunlight for 2 years for cones to mature; best growth and development. White Pine 7 (Pinus strobus)

Form The straight stem, regular August or September of the pyramidal form and soft gray- second season. green foliage make it one of the most majestic trees in the Range state. The crown is composed Occurs naturally throughout of numerous whorls of nearly the entire state. It horizontal or ascending grows on sandy soils and rock branches that are plume-like ridges, but prefers fertile, well- and graceful in outline. At 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 to bluish-green; flexible; occur in 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 deciduous. shade and thus generally occurs as a temporary or Fruit intermediate (though long- Cones are 4 to 6 inches long, lived) species in forest cylindrical, with thin and succession. White pine is a usually very resinous scales, major dominant in Wisconsin’s each containing two small northern dry forests. It is the winged seeds. Cones some- largest and longest-lived what curved. Cones mature in species of the region. 8 Black Spruce (Picea mariana)

Form Range Small tree seldom exceeding 60 Found in poorly drained feet in height and 1 foot in swamps and occasionally on diameter in Wisconsin and is 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 and Bark medium strong; used mainly Thin and broken on surface 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 small, 1 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 of height; occasionally 100 feet northern Wisconsin. Thrives with a diameter of 2 feet. The on moist, well-drained soils crown is a broad-based, open and in swamps with balsam pyramid, the rigid branches and tamarack; also found curving upward. Except in associated with mixed dense forests, the crown 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 lumber and used for general 1 3 branchlets; length ⁄2 to ⁄4 construction: airplanes, inches; dark bluish-green furniture parts, canoe paddles when mature; sharply pointed, and sounding boards for having a slightly disagreeable musical instruments; planted odor when crushed. quite extensively for orna- mental purposes, windbreaks, Fruit and shelterbelts; ranks high as Slender cone, about 2 inches 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, diameter winged seeds. Cones often 1 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; numerous tiny spurs or occasionally in drier localities short branches. where it reaches largest size. Found scattered in cold Leaf swamps throughout the Needles flat, soft and slender; southern portion of the state. length about 1 inch; borne in Often found in association clusters or spur-like branches with black spruce, balsam fir and distributed singly on and northern white cedar. terminal shoots; bright green in spring, soft and flexible, Wood turning dull yellow in Light yellowish-brown, heavy, 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 1 3 width ⁄2 inch, length ⁄4 inch; years ago by the larch sawfly. nearly spherical; open in the Crown has an open, fall of first year to liberate pyramidal shape. 1 small, ⁄8 inch, light brown, Black Ash 11 ()

Form Fruit Medium-sized tree; height 50 A samara, similar to that of to 75 feet, diameter 1 to 2 feet. all ashes, except that the thin Forming an open crown of wing nearly surrounds the narrow, upright branches in flattened seed. The wing is 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 that Fairly well distributed over are easily rubbed off. White entire state; most abundant in lenticels appear on lower cold, moist locations and trunk and roots. along low banks of streams. Usually found in association Leaf with 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 bud 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 mature in fall of first year. red; furrowed with flat, scaly ridges. Range Common throughout state, Leaf usually found along stream Length 10 to 12 inches; banks, floodplains, and wet compound, and opposite on upland sites. It may form stem; each compound leaf has pure stands or grow in from seven to nine stalked association with box elder leaflets; leaflets 3-5 inches and red maple. long with apex pointed and slightly toothed on margin; Wood differs from white ash in Heavy, hard, rather strong, having leaf scars that are brittle, coarse grained; light semi-circular to crescent brown, with broad layer of shaped, extending to base of lighter sapwood; commercially new bud. valuable and used for the same purposes as those of the white ash; also used exten- sively for ornamental plantings. White Ash 13 (Fraxinus americana)

Form Fruit 1 Large tree; average height 70 A samara, length 1 to 1 ⁄4 to 90 feet, diameter 1 to 2 feet, inches; borne in clusters; seed though larger trees can be bearing portion of the fruit is found. Stout, upright branches rounded in cross section and form a narrow crown in the wing does not extend along its forest, and with sufficient side; seeds mature in autumn space, a round-topped or of first year. pyramidal head. Range Bark Found over entire state on a Grayish-brown, rather thick variety of sites, but is most on mature trees; narrow ridges frequently found on fertile, are separated with marked well-drained sites. 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 tool 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 Shrub or small tree; height Found scattered in woods of sometimes 20 to 30 feet, 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 breaking Wood into small scales. Light, soft and weak; pale brown, with light colored Leaf sapwood; slow growth gives it Compound; alternately very close grain; has no arranged on branch; length commercial value, except for about 6 to 8 inches, composed ornamental purposes. of 13 to 17 leaflets; each leaflet 3 to 4 inches long and Notes about 1 inch wide at the Berries remain on tree during middle; leaflets have long the winter and are relished by points with toothed edges, birds for food. bright green above, turning bright yellow in fall. Fruit A pome; 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 surrounded by long white sometimes 60 to 80 feet, hairs that are wind diameter 10 to 20 inches; disseminated; matures in May slender rather than rigid of the first year. Main mode of branches form narrow rounded regeneration is by root 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 soils green; furrowed and dark 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 its green upper surface; leaves status from a “weed” tree to appear 1 to 2 weeks later than the most highly used species in that of quaking aspen, and at Wisconsin. It is the primary first are silvery white. Buds raw material source for the are light gray, downy, not so pulp and paper, hardboard, sharply pointed and larger wafer board and oriented than those of quaking aspen. strand board industries. Other industries use it in Fruit the production of lumber, Male and female catkins are matchsticks, lath and found on separate trees. The shavings. The residue 1 fruit is a capsule, ⁄4 inch long, generated at these industries numerous capsules borne on is used in the production of catkins 4 to 6 inches long; densified wood fuels (pellets) or capsules contain many seeds burned directly as green fuel. 16 Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides)

Form Fruit A short-lived, small to Male and female catkins are medium sized tree; may reach on separate trees; fruit is a 1 height of 60 to 70 feet and capsule; ⁄4 inch long capsules diameter of 12 to 20 inches, borne on catkins 4 to 6 inches but usually somewhat long; each capsule contains smaller; slender branches many seeds surrounded by form an open, round crown; long white hairs that are wind stem of tree is usually free of disseminated. Ripens in late dead branches. spring (May or June) before full expansion of leaves. Bark Regeneration is mainly by Thin, white to gray-green, root suckering following almost smooth with black cutting of tree. areas around base of limbs; has bitter inner bark. Range Found in all parts of Leaf Wisconsin; one of first species Alternate; small, broadly oval, to appear after cutting or fire. short-pointed at end and Found commonly on cutover finely toothed along margin; land; grows well on sandy, green and shiny above, dull gravelly soils, but thrives green below; usually ranges in better on good soil. size from 1 to 2 inches. Leaf stalks are flattened at right Wood angles to leaves, causing Light brown, surrounded by leaves to quake or tremble in thick, nearly white sapwood; a very slight breeze. light, soft, not strong; used extensively in manufacturing 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 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 of Thin, smooth, greenish-brown state, along streams and edges in color on young trees; of swamps or in other cool thicker, furrowed and gray- 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 cases and often stained by resin 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 in 18 Basswood or Linden (Tilia americana)

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 2 diameter of 1 to 3 feet; trunk 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 bract which later acts as a often seen as a group of wing to disseminate seeds on 4 to 5 stems originating wind; fruit often hangs on tree from an old stump. long into winter. Flowers are fragrant, and from them Bark choice-grade honey is made Gray with shallow furrows by bees. and vertical, scaly ridges. Range Leaf Common throughout the state Alternate; length and width on rich, well-drained loamy 4 to 6 inches; heart-shaped, soils, in mixture with other margin coarsely toothed, 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; on fertile, well-drained soils in the open, with a short, derived from limestone. In the thick trunk and broad, vicinity of Racine, it reaches compact, rounded crown. only a few miles inland from Usually attains heights of 50 Lake Michigan, but farther to 75 feet. north it extends as far west as the Wolf River in Langlade Bark County. Most distinctive, it maintains a smooth, steelgray surface Wood throughout its life. Hard and strong, but not durable; is used for chairs, Leaf tool handles, lumber and Simple, oval leaves 3 to 4 fuelwood. Although beech is inches long, pointed at the not a highly commercial apex and coarsely toothed, species, it should be retained becoming leathery when whenever possible for its mature. Persist on the tree in wildlife value. It is desirable the winter. for landscape work because of its beauty and freedom from Fruit 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 and rounded, bushy crown; well-drained soils in the shade trunk often short and of other trees. characteristically irregularly fluted; resembles muscles of a Wood 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 in marked with broad, dark- the past the wood was used for brown horizontal banks. 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; bracts 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 the 12 to 20 inches; rounded to fall and may even be seen pyramid-shaped crown. scattered on the snow. Bark Range Thin, smooth, reddish-brown Generally abundant on young trees turning throughout the state and creamy white with age; occurs chiefly on the better marked by many pores or sand and gravel soils in “lenticels;” readily peeling in mixture with pine and aspen. large pieces exposing orange inner bark; branch scars Wood marked with inverted black V. Hard, strong, tough, light in weight; brown tinged with red Leaf heartwood, nearly white Alternate, length 2 to 3 sapwood; used for spools, inches, width 1 to 2 inches; toothpicks, toys, handles, oval or heart-shaped, pointed, paper pulp, flooring, firewood rounded at base, irregularly and interior finish. toothed; becomes thick and leathery in texture, dark green Notes on upper side and yellowish- Years ago, birch bark was green on lower side. extensively used by northern Native Americans for canoes Fruit and wigwams and for making A catkin, about 1 inch long; baskets, cups, bags and other contains many tiny, winged 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; these Wood persist on tree and give it a Light brown heartwood with ragged appearance; twigs are thick, pale sapwood, close- reddish color. grained, hard, strong; however, since this tree is scattered in its Leaf distribution and mostly Simple, alternate and doubly confined to banks of streams, it toothed; length 2 to 4 inches; does not figure largely for usually shallowly and commercial pulpwood or 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 half papery layers on younger of state on rich, moist trees, but developing ragged, uplands with scattered trees broken plates on mature trees. as far south as Sheboygan, Twigs light brown, lustrous, Sauk and Grant counties. 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 dark interior finish, veneers, green on upper surface and wooden ware, furniture 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, hanging favorable soils, diameter may in clusters, similar to that of reach 18 inches; rather bushy sugar maple, but smaller; on unfavorable soils; limbs ripens in late summer or and branches fragile; trunk early fall; often stays on trees often dividing near the all winter. 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 and Opposite; compound; 5 to 8 close-grained; decays rapidly inches in length, usually with in contact with heat and three leaflets (rarely 5); moisture; used occasionally lustrous green in color; length for fuel; has no general of leaflets 2 to 4 inches, width commercial value. 1 and 2 inches. Butternut or 25 White Walnut (Juglans cinerea)

Form Fruit Reaches height of 60 to 80 feet Light brown nut enclosed in and diameter of 3 feet; top oblong, somewhat pointed, develops into open, broad, sticky, yellowish-green husk crown; may be distinguished about 2 inches long; husk from black walnut by velvet covered with short, rusty, collars just above scars left by sticky hairs. Nut has rough, last year’s leaves. grooved shell and oily, sweet edible kernel. Bark Divided into broad, scaly Range intersecting ridges, forming a A common occurrence in the rough diamond-shaped southern part of the state and pattern; light gray to light is known to extend northward brown. into Langlade, Burnett and Ashland counties. It grows on Leaf 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 and Notes 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 drupe, 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 bitter; Bark ripens in late summer. Smooth, bright, reddish- brown, marked by Range conspicuous narrow, white Distributed over entire state, horizontal lines on young but is most common in trees; on older trunks, thick, southern half on the dark 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, shiny strong, fine-grained; does not above, paler below; edges warp or split in seasoning; has broken by many fine exceptional luster and color; incurved teeth. Petioles and used for furniture, interior small branches have bitter furnishing, tools and almond taste. 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 and Bark dark; very astringent to the Thin; on young trees is 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 strong; Alternate, broadly oval, of no commercial value in abruptly and sharply pointed, 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 tree; Distributed over the entire 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 by yellowish sapwood; has no 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 90 Throughout Wisconsin, feet, diameter 3 to 5 feet; though rarer in the north; grows rapidly; long, often forming extensive pyramidal, open crown. groves along waterways; will grow on dry locations but Bark makes most rapid growth on Thin, smooth and light gray moist sites. on young trees; dark gray and deeply furrowed into broad, Wood rounded ridges on older trees. Soft, light-weight with dark brown heartwood and thick, Leaf nearly white sapwood, warps Alternate; broadly ovate or easily when drying and rots triangular, tapered tip, square readily; used for boxes, at base; toothed or wavy on fencing, fuel, rough lumber edges, 3 to 5 inches across for inside use, making high- each way; leafstalks flattened grade magazine paper for and 2 to 3 inches long; winter printing half-tone buds covered with chestnut- illustrations; grown brown, resinous scales. extensively for windbreaks owing to rapid growth and Fruit adaptability to soil. 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 feet; A samara; winged, light diameter 2 to 4 feet; main stem green, oval and wafer-like in often branches into several appearance; seed portion in large branches forming a center surrounded entirely by crown with pendulous wings; outer end of each wing branches; crown vase-shaped deeply notched; seeds hang in and broadly rounded. clusters; ripen in spring; widely scattered by wind. Bark Thick, divided into irregular, Range broad, flat ridges; ash-gray to Fairly common throughout grayish brown. state; found on rich bottom- lands and low, moist hills Leaf throughout the state in Alternate; length 4 to 6 mixture with other hardwoods. inches; rather thick, somewhat one-sided; doubly Wood toothed on margin, generally Light brown, heavy, hard, rough above, smooth below, strong, rough and difficult to veins very pronounced and split; used for furniture and run in parallel lines from mid- veneer for baskets and crates. 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, A samara, length ⁄2 inch, diameter 2 to 4 feet; seldom ovate, flattened; contains one forks like other , but seed; slightly notched at outer retains a straight central end; ripens in early summer. trunk; forming a narrow, rounded crown with long, Range graceful branches. The rock elm reaches its best development in Wisconsin on Bark the well-drained soils of About 1 inch thick, ash-gray; Langlade and Shawano divided by deep, irregular counties, but it is found fissures into broad, flat ridges; southward and westward corky ridges or wings develop throughout the state on a on the bark of the twigs. variety of soils. Leaf Wood Alternate; double-toothed Close-grained, compact and margin; resembles those of the strong; light reddish-brown American elm, but are more with thick, light-colored regular in shape, smaller, sapwood; used for smoother on both sides, and implements, sills, ties, hockey more leathery. 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 rough, strong, heavy, hard, ridges. Winter buds covered moderately durable; used for by brown, silky hairs. fence posts, ties and agricultural implements; Leaf inner bark of trunk and Alternate; 4 to 6 inches in branches once used to some length; ovate, sharp-pointed, extent for medicinal purposes. base not symmetrical, double toothed on margin; thick, Notes dark green and rough on both Susceptible to Dutch elm sides; turns to yellowish color disease. Inner bark is fragrant, 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 state, and angular; tree-head made extending northward through up of slender, pendant the Wisconsin River Valley to branches or short, bristly, Marathon County and up to stubby twigs when growing in St. Croix and Polk County, the forest; in the open, crown most abundant on rich is generally symmetrical. 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 long; Granite-gray, faintly tinged kernel is very bitter. with yellow; broken into thin, plate-like scales; not as rough Range as most ; bark does Found on well-drained, fertile not strip off as that of soils in the southern part of shagbark hickory. Winter the state extending northward buds are compressed, scurfy to Langlade, Rusk and Polk 1 and bright yellow, ⁄2 inch or counties. 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 100 A nut borne singly or in pairs, 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; length Light brown heartwood with 8 to 15 inches and composed nearly white sapwood; heavy, of 5 (rarely 7) ovate leaflets; hard, tough and very strong; end leaflet larger than other used largely in manufacture of leaflets; margin of leaflet agricultural implements and covered with fine teeth and tool handles; makes very good numerous hairs. fuel and is best of all woods for smoking meats. Nut is important wildlife food source. 36 Ironwood or Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

Form Range Height 20 to 40 feet; diameter Found throughout the state, 5 to 12 inches; broad, rounded usually on the better, well- crown; branches long and drained soils or gravel ridges slender, drooping at ends. 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 that durable, light brown, with are easily rubbed off. thick, pale sapwood; used for fence posts, handles of tools, Leaf mallets and other small Alternate; generally oblong articles and fuel. with narrow tips, doubly toothed along margins; length Notes 2 to 4 inches; dark, dull, The tree receives its common yellow-green above and light name from the quality of its yellow-green below. wood and its hop-like fruit. Fruit In clusters of leafy bracts; each bract contains one flattened, ribbed, hard nutlet 1 1 about ⁄3 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 8 but best development is along 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 no stem, breaking into shallow 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 usually In some places has escaped branch low, forming a narrow, from cultivation, as it grows 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 fence Leaf posts and firewood. Alternate, compound; consisting of from 7 to 19 Notes oblong, thin leaflets. Originally planted for soil erosion control purposes, for Fruit 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 in Is generally considered a weed the fall and persist through because it spreads prolifically the winter on the tree. by suckering. Honey Locust 39 (Gleditsia triacanthos)

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

Form Range Height 40 to 65 feet, diameter Occurs over the entire state; 10 inches to 2 feet, sometimes prefers moist soils, though is larger; forms a narrow, common on drier sites in 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, A pair of winged samaras; diameter 3 feet or more; trunk wings 1 to 2 inches long; usually short, divided into a samaras on slender, flexible, number of long ascending thread-like stems about 1 inch limbs which are again long. Mature in spring, and divided; their small branches germinate immediately. droop, but turn upward at tips, forming large, spreading Range round crowns. Common tree on river bottoms or other deep, moist soils in 2 Bark the southern ⁄3 of the state. On young trees or branches, smooth and varies in color Wood from reddish to a yellowish- Light-brown, strong, fairly gray; on old branches, dark hard, even texture, rather gray and broken into long brittle, easily worked; decays flakes or scales. readily when exposed to weather or soil; occasionally Leaf used for flooring, furniture Opposite; 3 to 5 lobes ending and fuel; often mixed in long points separated by with red maple for deep, angular openings; commercial purposes. margins toothed; pale green on upper surface and silvery Notes underneath; buds rounded Popular as a shade tree, but and red or reddish-brown. branches are apt to be broken in storms. 42 Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

Form Fruit Height 80 to 100 feet or more, A pair of fused samaras, about diameter 2 to 3 feet; sym- 1 inch long; matures in fall. metrical, heavy, round crown. Range Bark Found throughout the state on On young trees, light gray to the better soils. brown and somewhat smooth; on older trees, gray Wood to almost black with long, Light brown, hard, heavy, irregular plates or scales strong, close-grained; known which often loosen on the commercially as hard or rock sides. Twigs are smooth and maple; used in the manufac- reddish-brown with sharp- ture of flooring, furniture, pointed winter buds. maple syrup and fuel. 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 on length ⁄2 inch to 1 inch; shape 1 3 large trees; crown wide and somewhat round; ⁄2 to ⁄4 of irregularly shaped. nut enclosed in thin, dark brown, scaly cup; kernel Bark yellow and extremely bitter. On young trees, smooth and dark brown; thick and black Range on older trees, with deep Found on dry uplands, gravel furrows and rough, broken slopes and ridges over ridges; inner bark bright southern half of the state. yellow and bitter due to presence of tannic acid. Wood Hard, heavy, strong, coarse- Leaf grained, not tough, checks Alternate; length 5 to 8 easily; bright reddish-brown inches; width 3 to 5 inches; heartwood with thin outer lobed half-way to mid-rib; edge of paler sapwood; ends are bristle-tipped; when principally used for mature, thick, dark green and construction, interior finish, shiny on upper surface, pale furniture, pulp, ties, fuel; on lower; covered more or less and yellow dye can be with down; conspicuous rusty made from bark. brown hairs in forks of veins. Notes Susceptible to . 44 Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)

Form Fruit Height 80 feet or more under Acorn set deeply or almost favorable conditions, diameter enclosed in fringed, burr-like 3 to 4 feet; under unfavorable cap, ovoid in shape; diameter conditions, not over 25 feet in may reach 1 inch or more; height; often grows in the however, varies widely in open where the tree usually respect to size and degree to has broad top of heavy which nut is enclosed in the spreading branches and mossy fringed cup. Seed is relatively short trunk. bitter, 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, to black in color. Bark on well-drained soils; the smaller branches develops common oak of the “oak corky wings, or ridges, giving openings” in the southwestern it a gnarly appearance. part of the state. Leaf Wood Length 6 to 10 inches, width 3 Heavy, hard, strong, tough, to 6 inches; crowded at ends of durable, rich brown twigs; resembles white oak, heartwood; uses similar to but has pair of deep that of white oak. 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 height and 3 to 4 feet southern Wisconsin, extending in diameter. up to the Rock River above Janesville, up the Wisconsin to Bark Sauk City and up the Missis- 1 Rarely ⁄2 inch thick and sippi to Lynxville. Reports broken into thin, loose, pale show that it occurs as far east gray scales. as southeastern Waukesha County. It grows on limestone Leaf ridges, and on fertile bottom Usually crowded on the end of lands and rocky stream banks. the slender branches, 4 to 7 This tree was once fairly inches long; margin with plentiful in several southwest- sharp, incurving or broad ern counties and should be round teeth. Upper surface is favored where found. light yellow-green, the underside pale and covered Wood with fine short hairs. The wood is similar to white oak and equal to it in quality, Fruit although it tends to contain The acorns grow singly or in more knots. 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 throughout the state, usually of 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 Bark the oak was able to reproduce The bark resembles that of the from sprouts. As a result, there scarlet oak, but the inner bark are many acres in Wisconsin is pale yellow. capable of producing pine that are growing this oak. Leaf The leaves are similar to Wood scarlet oak, but not so shiny The wood resembles red oak above, with five to seven lobes. and is used for fuel, posts, Late in autumn, they turn railroad ties and some yellow or pale brown, or more pulp. or less blotched with purple. Fruit The acorn requires 2 seasons to mature, and is enclosed for 1 1 ⁄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; diameter Large, bitter acorn, maturing ranges from 2 to 3 feet; in the second year; length 1 to 1 forest situations, tall and 1 ⁄2 inches; blunt-topped, flat straight with clear trunk and at base, enclosed in a very narrow crown. 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-surfaced, Wood 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 largely toward the tip; divided into 7 cut into veneer. 1 to 9 lobes, each extending ⁄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 An acorn; length about 1 inch; 3 feet and diameters of 2 to 3 width ⁄4 inches, enclosed for 1 feet; forming an open, about ⁄3 of its length in thick- sometimes irregular, round- walled cup. Usually in pairs topped crown. on slender, dark brown stalks which are 2 to 4 inches long. Bark Mature in 1 season. Thick, deeply and irregularly divided by fissures into broad Range ridges; grayish-brown; bark on Sparsely distributed over the upper branches ragged and southern part of the state, often peeling. extending into Wood and Buffalo counties; it grows on Leaf the borders of streams and Length 5 to 6 inches, width 2 swamps in moist, fertile soil. to 4 inches; often crowded towards ends of twigs; broad Wood at middle (pear-shaped) and Light brown, hard, strong, wedge-shaped at base; wavy tough and durable; and indented along margin; commercially, its uses and dark green and shiny above, properties are similar to white grayish and fuzzy beneath. 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 may the first year; length ⁄4 to 1 1 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 top numerous heavy limbs root before winter. spreading irregularly. Range Bark Common on the better soils in Pale gray, scaly, but not the southern half of the state. deeply fissured. Wood Leaf Light brown; hard and Alternate; length 5 to 9 inches durable; one of our most useful and about half as broad; woods for heavy construction; crowded towards ends of used for railroad ties, interior twigs; deeply divided into 5 to finishes, furniture and fuel. 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 over usually 15 to 25 feet; 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, kernel which is edible and diameter 2 to 4 feet; when highly nutritious; matures in grown in the open, stem short, fall of first season. crown broad and spreading. Range Bark Grows on rich bottomlands Thick and very dark brown; and moist, fertile hillsides in divided by rather deep fissures southern part of state; is easily into round ridges. Blocky propagated from nuts and appearance. grows rapidly on good sites. Leaf Wood Alternate on stem; compound, Most valuable forest tree in 1 to 2 feet long, consisting of 7 the state. Rich chocolate- 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 as Fruit furniture and gun-stocks; A large, round nut borne small trees consist mostly of singly or in pairs and enclosed sapwood, which is light- in solid green husk, which is colored and not durable. 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 genus of trees and willow: very narrow leaves, shrubs, 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. whitened or pale beneath. The black willow is native, and the weeping and crack willows Fruit were originally foreign, or Flowers in dense, elongated exotic. On favorable sites, clusters know as “catkins”; some trees are often 35 to 50 flowers usually appear with feet high, with a diameter of 6 leaves in spring. Willows may to 25 inches. The black willow be propagated with “cuttings” may be 30 to 40 feet high, more easily than with seeds. though it could also be a Seeds are minute, maturing in shrub; usually short trunk, late spring or early summer. stout, spreading branches, and a broad, rather irregular, open Range crown. The peach-leaf willow Many varieties occur over a is somewhat greenish-yellow; wide range in Wisconsin and twigs somewhat drooping. the from moist conditions to dry upland Bark prairies. Many European and Dark brown to gray on large ornamental varieties have trees; thick, rough, furrowed been introduced. and flaky. Wood Leaf Light brown, soft, weak, White willow and crack willow flexible, coarse-grained; thin, leaves: whitish on lower whitish sapwood; used for surface; crack willow: large, fuel, erosion control, saw-toothed leaves and twigs ornamental planting, that crack or break from windbreaks and charcoal. branches very easily; 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

this “Tree road map” will help direct you to identify your tree. this “Tree Note: Read carefully what it says about each species in the guide. Tree

Your

marack (Deciduous) The Pines Leaves Needle Shaped Leaves Not Needle Shaped Ta Coniferous (Evergreen)

Leaves Single Leaves in Clusters Leaves in Groups

Flat Needles Angled Red Cedar Hemlock The Spruces Hemlock The Balsam Fir

55 Hard Maple Soft Maple Opposite Branching

Beech Cherries Ironwood Serviceberry Pith of Twig Not Plated Pith of Twig

Deciduous (Hardwood) our Tree

Y

Simple Leaves Compound Leaves Simple Leaves Compound Leaves intergreen Flavor Blue Beech Mulberry Leaves Not Lobed Leaf Outline Smooth Leaf Outline Toothed W

Oaks and Walnut Hickories Ashes Leaves Lobed Plated Pith of Twig Some Hawthorns Butternut The Locust Box Elder

Thorns Papery Bark Flattened Stems Others igs with Wintergreen Flavor igs with Wintergreen Paper Birch ellow Birch River Elms Basswood Y

Alternate Branching

Some Hawthorns Without Twigs The Poplars (Aspen) Willow Hackberry Mountain Ash

Tw

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

Simple leaf not lobbed Simple leaf lobbed 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. This completely. It is a good policy is due to our geographic to feel the ashes with the hand location, soil and timber to make sure they are dead. types, topography, and Never bury a campfire with general climate, all of which duff or litter since this only combine to create conditions holds the fire, allowing it to under which fires start easily smolder in readiness to start and spread rapidly. This is up later. Never throw away true particularly in the vast burning cigarettes and cigar timber regions of the state. stubs, pipe ashes, or matches in the woods. Adequate fire protection is the basis of all conservation. If we are to preserve our forests – You Violate a Forest which means if we are to Law if You continue to enjoy hunting, 1. Fail to extinguish 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 forest product 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 another requires only a little good without written permission judgment. Campfires should 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 of fires should be attended while any kind belonging to the they are burning. Before state is unlawful. 58 How Forest Fire Danger is Measured

Most people can tell difficult to control. Burning is reasonably well how dry it is not recommended. by observing some natural signs that are present. That High was once the way the fire Dangerous conditions. Fires fighters determined forest fire start readily from a match or danger – but no more. sparks, spread quickly, and spot readily. Difficult to Now the fire managers use control. Burning is not such factors as relative recommended. humidity, fuel moisture, precipitation, wind velocity, Moderate and condition of ground Fires start from a match or vegetation – dry, green, or in burning embers, spread between these two. Tempera- quickly in dry grass or leaves. ture also has a relative effect. Burn with extreme caution. The ranger can tell from his calculation what he has to Low prepare for in the way of Fires will start from an open people and equipment to cope flame, spread slowly and in with the current fire situation. absence of wind tend to go out. The safest time to burn. 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 What Causes Forest 59 Fires to Start?

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

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