Balsam Fir

Its Latin name is Abies balsamea.

It is native to the northeastern U.S. and Canada. It has a strong, fragrant smell, prefers rocky soil and can be found most often near lakes and rivers. Fir branches are used to make fire-by-friction because they are very resinous and burn easily. Unfortunately, these qualities make them especially susceptible to forest fires. In extreme heat, the resin blisters under the bark and bursts into flame.

Did you know that many Christmas Trees are Balsam Firs?

White Pine

Its Latin name is Pinus Strobus.

It is native to the Northeastern US and Southeastern Canada. It can be recognized by the five bluish-green to silver-green needles in a bundle and its famous pine cone. It is found on many different sites including dry rocky ridges and wet bogs, but prefers moist sandy loam soils. Extensive logging has destroyed most of the original pine forests, but the species is aggressive in reproducing itself. Seeds are eaten by birds such as red crossbills and chickadees. Rabbits may eat the bark of young trees as may porcupines.

Did you know that the White Pine cone is the state flower of Maine?

White Oak

Its Latin name is Quercus alba.

It is native to the Eastern and Central US. This is one of the largest trees of forests in the eastern United States It has leaves with many lobes and it drops acorns. It is the state tree of Maryland, Connecticut and Illinois.

Did you know that the U.S.S. Constitution, made with the wood of the white oak, was called "Old Ironsides" because cannonballs were rumored to bounce off the ship's strong wood siding?

Sugar Maple

Its Latin name is Acer aaccharum.

It is native to the Eastern and North Central US This tree is famous for its red, orange and yellow leaves in the fall. Its sap is used to make maple syrup...yum! It has silvery bark and can grow up to 130 feet and live for 400 years..

Did you know moose, deer, squirrels, rabbits, hares, porcupines, mice and many species of birds feed on maple bark, buds, twigs and fruit?

Black Willow

Its Latin name is Salix nigra.

It is native to the Eastern and Southern US. It has narrow leaves and it is a deep green. It is found on streambanks and in wet meadows and is thought to have medicinal qualities.

Did you know that deer like to browse and eat Black Willow shoots and that the original Black Willows came from China?

Shagbark Hickory

Its Latin name is Carya ovata.

It is native to the Eastern and Central US, except the coastal areas. Shagbark hickory has a compound leaf made up of five leaflets that is up to 20 inches long. The hard, bony-white nut, containing sweet, delicious nutmeat, is enclosed in a four-sectioned green husk.

Did you know that it makes the best firewood since it has the highest heat value of any wood? Make sure to have campfires only in safe, approved areas.

Paper Birch

Its Latin name is Betula papyrifera.

It is native to the extreme Northern US and Canada. It is a small to medium sized tree, with many stems and bark that peels off in paper strips. These trees like lots of sun, so you'll find them in openings in the forest.

Did you know that it re-seeds aggressively after a wildfire? It is one of the first trees to return after a fire.

Black Walnut

Its Latin name is Juglans nigra.

It is native to most of the US, east of the Mississippi. It produces a nut with a rough, furrowed, hard shell that protects the edible seed. Fruits are usually produced in clusters of 2 to 3. The seed is sweet, oily and high in protein.

Did you know that over 10,000 metric tons of black walnuts are harvested every year for food in the US?

American Basswood

Its Latin name is Tilia americana.

It is native to most of the US, east of the Mississippi River, except the extreme South. This tree is also called the Linden and has tasty leaves and buds. It prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil, where it often grows in association with Oaks.

Did you know that the Iroquois carved ceremonial false-face masks from the easily worked wood?

Black Cherry

Its Latin name is Prunus serotina.

It is native to most of the US, east of the Mississippi River. It produces great tasting fruit in the summer after blossoming with beautiful flowers in the Spring. Its leaves and bark have a very strong aroma. The wild black cherry prefers deep, rich, moist but well-drained soils.

Did you know that an extract from the bark was used by Native Americans as a remedy for coughs and colds?

Sycamore

Its Latin name is Platanus occidentalis.

It is native to most of the US, east of the Mississippi River. This is a common tree and one of the largest in the eastern deciduous forests. It is also widely planted as a shade tree because of its distinctive white bark and its broad, dense crown, or top. But it is rather messy and not good as a street tree

Did you know the multi-colored bark peels off in patches and is its most ornamental trait?

American Elm

Its Latin name is Ulmus Americana

It is native to most of the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains. It is tolerant to urban conditions and its excellent vase shape makes it an ideal street tree. Leaves are medium green, turning yellow in the fall. Unfortunately, American elm is fast disappearing from the American scene as a result of the Dutch elm disease, accidentally introduced from Europe some years ago

Did you know that the tough, cross-grained wood is highly resistant to splitting and is used in making baskets, furniture, and flooring?

Quaking Aspen

Its Latin name is Populus tremuloides.

It is native to most of the northeastern and north central US as well as the Rocky Mountains. Leaves are a dark shiny green above and a dull green beneath, and turn golden in autumn. The tree obtained its name because the leaves flutter in the slightest breeze due to long, flattened, slender leafstalks. As they shimmer in the wind, the bicolor nature of the leaves often makes them appear silver. In fall, the leaves of quaking aspen turn bright yellow or orange, often adding the only dash of brilliant color to the otherwise green landscape.

Did you know that the expansive underground root systems of quaking aspen may survive for hundreds of years, sending up root sprouts when conditions are favorable?

Red Alder

Its Latin name is Alnus rubra.

It is native to the northern Pacific coast. This is a fast growing and maturing tree. The species is favored by disturbance and often increases after logging and burning. It has a thin bark, greenish on young trees, turning grey to whitish with age.

Did you know that the Alder was the main source of red and brown vegetable coloring used by the Native Americans?