Black Willow - Salix nigra

Salicaceae - Willow Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 85
Black Willow Tree
Salix nigra

Spring

The Black Willow.  Photo by Robert Priddy

The Black Willow.  Photo by Robert Priddy

This Black Willow lives at Myakka River State Park in Florida.   The leaves were just coming out iin early March when we took this photo.

Summer

Black Willow on the French Broad River in Asheville

A good ID tip for this tree is the leaves. This tree has very long and slender leaves. The green leaves have fine teeth and are hairless on both sides. 
The leaves of this tree are described as:

• narrow
• lance shaped
• often curved to one side
• pointed
• finely toothed
• alternate, simple

The bark is another good ID tip. It is black and becomes deep and furrowed on older trees.  This is frequent streamside tree.

I have heard of some beautiful baskets made from the bark and twigs of this tree. I hope to find one and even learn how to make a basket from a Black Willow tree.

Fall 

 This tree lives in Mountain Home Arkansas at
 Cooper Park by the Historic village along a stream.

This is a closer view of the interesting bark and leaves of Salix nigra, the Black Willow tree.

Winter

The bark has been used to make tea for centuries to cure headaches, fevers, intestinal ailments, and even as a wash to stimulate hair growth. Leaves have been used as poultices for sprains, bruises and sores.The twigs are usually bright yellow, the bark can become furrowed at a fairly young age, deeply furrowed with age. Often there are multiple trunks.

The Champion Black Willow Trees

The North Carolina champion tree lives in Bertie county, North Carolina at the Roanoke River National Wildlife refuge.  It is 76 feet high with a circumference of 123 inches.

http://www.ncforestservice.gov/Urban/tree_detail.asp?Tree_ID=550

"The Marlboro Tree
A Local Legacy
How old do trees live to be? There is a black willow tree in Marlboro, New Jersey, that is more than 150 years old. It started growing before the Civil War. Not only is the Marlboro Tree old, but it's also huge. It's 76 feet tall and over 19 feet in circumference (the measurement around the trunk of the tree). Five adults would have to hold hands to fully encircle the trunk. The Marlboro Tree is the largest black willow in New Jersey and the largest tree in Marlboro. In fact, the New Jersey Forest Service has certified it as a "State Champion" because of its size."

An interesting aside, since I am currently reading "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince"
There is an old tree on the grounds of Hogwarts called the Whomping Willow. It was planted in order to conceal a passageway Lupin went through every full moon when he turned into a werewolf.

My favorite Black Willow Trees

I love to walk by the river in West Asheville and look at all the Black Willow tree that grow by the river.

Plant a Black Willow Treel

The flowers of the Black Willow tree attract birds and butterflies.  It is a larval host for the beautiful Mourning cloak, Viceroy, Red-spotted Purple, Viceroy, Red-spotted Purple, Tiger Swallowtail, and Acadian Hairsteak butterflies.  

If I lived near a stream, I would love to plant this amazing butterfly tree.

For the love of the trees,
Becky

Hoptree - Ptelea trifolia

Rosaceae - Rose Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 84
Hoptree 
Ptelea trifolia

Spring

Ptelea trifoflia - Hoptree

Ptelea trifoflia - Hoptree

Ptelea trifoflia - Hoptree

This sunlit very-much-alive Hoptree lives at the Asheville Botanical Gardens.  www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org

Summer

I will be back at the beautiful Hoptree to visit this Summer....

Fall 

and Fall....

Winter

and this Winter....please check back for the the beautiful ways this tree changes each season.

The Champion Hoptree Trees

The North Carolina champion Hoptree lives in Jefferson, North Carolina at the New River State Park.  It is 11 feet tall and has a circumference of 17 inches.

http://www.ncforestservice.gov/Urban/tree_detail.asp?Tree_ID=160

My favorite Hoptree

My favorite Hoptree lives at the Botanical Gardens of Asheville.

Plant a Hoptree

Plant the Hoptree for the swallowtail butterflies.  The swallowtail butterfly is attracted to the fragrant nectar of this tree.  This tree is a larval host for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail as well as the Giant Swallowtail.   I hear there is a lemon scent in the air when the flowers come out in April.

This is a native Southern Appalachian small tree.  It may grow up to 25 feet tall.  It has a slender trunk and an open crown.  

For the love of the trees,
Becky

Hoptree - Ptelea trifolia.
These leaves of three are not to be confused with the vine, poison ivy.

American Mountain Ash - Sorbus americana

Rosaceae - Rose Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 83
American Mountain Ash
Sorbus americana

Spring

The American Mountain Ash is opening the leaves on her branches in April in Asheville; what a beautiful sight to see.  This American Mountain Ash lives at the Asheville Botanical Gardens.  www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org

 

American Mountain Ash - Sorbus americana

American Mountain Ash - Sorbus americana

The Mountain Ash tree usually only thrives at life at the higher elevations in the Southern Appalachian mountains. This tree lives near Mt. Pisgah on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I took these photos on March 23rd, when the buds had not opened yet. I will go back soon and see the new leafs emerging.

Sorbus americana

Sorbus americana

Summer

The American Mountain Ash leaves have 11 - 17 narrow, pointed saw toothed edges that are stalkless and are pinnately compound.  These are the green green leaves of summer.

You will only find the American Mountain Ash at high elevations in the Appalachian Mountains. The beautiful white flowers will appear in Spring and the red berries in the summer.

This tree is worth a trip to the mountains to find it. Make your way up the blue ridge parkway or up to Clingman's dome in the Smokies to find this tree.

Fall 

Mountain Ash, Sorbus americana

Mountain Ash, Sorbus americana

This Mountain Ash Tree lives in the high country in the Smoky Mountain National Park.
  The red berries were all over the trees in September.

The American Mountain Ash is in it's full fruiting splendor in September near Devil's courthouse and Mt. Pisgah on the BlueRidge Parkway.

Sorbus americana, American Mtn. Ash

http://instagram.com/ayearwiththetrees

Winter

The American Mountain Ash

The American Mountain Ash

The Mountain Ash Tree in late fall and early winter.

This American Mountain Ash lives at the Asheville Botanical Gardens.  www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org .

The Champion American Mountain Ash Trees

The Champion American Mountain Ash Tree lives in Highlands, NC.  This tree is 52 feet tall and has a circumference of 47 inches. 

My favorite American Ash Tree

My favorite American Ash Trees lives at the Mt. Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway at a high elevation.  You can see them by the turn in off the parkway at the Inn.  This tree is spectacular all year long. 

Plant an American Ash Tree

Bears are often found in Mountain ash trees when the berries are ripe. Many other animals also enjoy the berries including moose, white-tailed deer and several species of grouse. Birds that eat the berries are said to become mildly drunk. When the fruits appear in September, fall colors are soon to follow.

An article from Audubon speaks well for why we must plant native.  I am putting a link here for it is so well written that speaks the truth.
http://www.audubon.org/content/why-native-plants-matter

here is a brief quote from the article,
"Native plants are those that occur naturally in a region in which they evolved. They are the ecological basis upon which life depends, including birds and people. Without them and the insects that co-evolved with them, local birds cannot survive. For example, research by the entomologist Doug Tallamy has shown that native oak trees support over 500 species of caterpillars whereas ginkgos, a commonly planted landscape tree from Asia, host only 5 species of caterpillars. When it takes over 6,000 caterpillars to raise one brood of chickadees, that is a significant difference."

For more info on Doug Tallamy, http://www.bringingnaturehome.net/


For the love of the trees,
Becky

...from my journal

Black Cherry - Prunus serotina

Rosaceae - Rose Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 82
Black Cherry Tree
Prunus serotina

Spring

Black Cherry Tree flowers in bloom

Black Cherry

The Black Cherry tree is covered in new spring green leaves.

What I learned about the Black Cherry:
The leaves are finely serrated.
The leaves are simple and alternate.
The twigs are reddish brown. They are said to have a bitter almond taste; though, I did not taste them to find out.
This tree can grow up to 100 feet.

Summer

The Black Cherry leaves are shining in the summer sun; filled with life.  You can see the finely sawtoothed edges with their curving blunt teeth.

The Black Cherry tree provides food for many birds and small mammals.  The fruits are used in jams and syrups.  The bark has been used for many years in making medicinals for coughs.

Prunus serotina, Black Cherry

Fall 

This is what I look like - always looking into the tops of the trees.

Winter

This tree is at the Asheville Botanical Gardens.

The Black Cherry can be identified by the bark that some say looks like burnt potato chips.  The bark has medicinal properties. The bark from young black cherries is used in cough medicines, tonics, and sedatives. The fruit is used for making jelly and wine.

The Champion Black Cherry Trees

The North Carolina Champion Black Cherry tree lives in Clyde, North Carolina.  It is so big for a Black Cherry.  Check out the picture, amazing!  http://www.ncforestservice.gov/Urban/tree_detail.asp?Tree_ID=155
This tree is 96 feet tall and has a circumference of 175 inches.

My favorite Black Cherry Tree

I vist a Black Cherry at the Botanical Gardens of Asheville.  I cant exactly say it is my most favorite Black Cherry.  I will be on the lookout for where my favorite Black Cherry is.  Check back.

Why Plant Native Black Cherry trees?

• At least 33 species of Birds eat the fruit of this tree.  
• Supports Conservation Biological Control (A plant that attracts predatory or parasitoid insects that prey upon pest insects.)
• Special Value to Native Bees (Recognized by pollination ecologists as attracting large numbers of native bees.) 
  Special Value to Bumble Bees 
  Special Value to Honey Bees 
  Supports Conservation Biological Control (A plant that attracts predatory or parasitoid insects that prey upon pest insects.) 
  
  This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

For the love of the trees,
Becky

Pin Cherry - Prunus pensylvanica

Rosaceae - Rose Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 81
Pin Cherry Tree
Prunus pensylvanica

Drawing  by Brooke Priddy Conrad on Sept. 23rd in honor of my grandson, Wyatt.

Spring

By Superior National Forest (Prunus pennsylvanica 2  Uploaded by AlbertHerring) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

This beautiful tree grows at the higher elevations of the southern Appalachians as well as in the northern part of the United States and Canada.  It is sometimes called Fire cherry for its ability to grow after forest fires. Many little Pin Cherrys will grow in an area that has had a fire, providing shade for seedlings of slower growing trees then it will only live 30 - 40 years.  When the end of its life is here, room is left for the new slower growing, bigger trees.

Summer

The Pin Cherry Tree - Prunus pensylvanica

The Pin Cherry Tree

The Pin Cherry tree has narrow toothed oblong green leaves with two distinctive bumps near the base of the leaf stem.  This tree has small round fruits that turn from green to red in the late summer.

Fall 

Pin Cherry Tree on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Pin Cherry Tree on the Blue Ridge Parkway

In September, the Pin Cherry trees are changing leaf color. The red berries have been mostly eaten by the birds and squirrels. Some of the leaves have already fallen. The colors of the leaves that remain on the trees are breathtaking against the blue fall sky.

Winter

The Pin Cherry tree on the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Pin Cherry tree lives up high at over 5,000 feet in elevation.  I drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway to what I call the top of the world to find this tree.  This Pin Cherry lives near Richland Balsam overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway at over 6,000 feet above sea level.
There are also quite a few between graveyard fields and Black Balsam Knob Road.  The white flower blossoms are so beautiful as well as the fruit, the little red drupes that are on the trees in September.

The Champion Pin Cherry Trees

The Pin cherry tree is also called Fire Cherry for it is one of the first trees to grow back in the forests after a fire.  It Grows as a small tree, the Pin cherry usually has a straight trunk and a narrow, round-topped crown. It grows 15-50 ft. tall and 4-20 inches in diameter. Trees up to 100 ft tall have been found growing in the southern Appalachians, with the largest found on the western slopes of the Great Smoky Mountains.

The Pin cherry is rather short lived, having a lifespan of only 20-40 years following a rapid maturation.

The North Carolina Champion Pin Cherry tree lives in Transylvania County.  It is 54 feet high and has a circumference of 51 inches.
http://ncforestservice.gov/urban/tree_detail.asp?Tree_ID=502

The American forest Champion Pin Cherry tree lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  It is 80 feet high and has a circumference of 61".
http://www.americanforests.org/big-trees/pin-cherry-prunus-pensylvanica-3/

My favorite Pin Cherry Tree

My favorite Pin Cherry trees live on the Blue Ridge Parkway just past Graveyard Fields on the way to Black Balsam Knob Road.

Plant a Pin Cherry Tree

The Pin cherry serves as food for a large number of moths and butterflies. It also feeds birds on its beautiful red berries during the winter months. There is a beautiful video on the web I watched by John Heider of a Robin eating the berries. Go find it and enjoy.

A second common name for the Pin Cherry beside fire cherry is bird cherry because so many birds eat the fruit.

"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." Nelson Henderson.

For the love of the trees,
Becky

American Plum - Prunus americana

Rosaceae - Rose Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 80
American Plum
Prunus americana

Spring

The American Plum Tree

This tree is also called the Wild Plum.  This time of year the fruit is still green and growing. 

This tree can be identified by the way it grows in thickets due to the roots sprouting into twigs around the main trunk.  This is one of the first trees to bloom in the spring with beautiful white flowers.

The American Plum

Summer

American Plum tree in the summertime

This tree lives in Mountain Home, Arkansas.  There is a grove of American Plum trees there on the Crystal Willet Nature trail.  Master gardeners take care of this beautiful space.

Fall 

I will find the tree for this image soon I hope.

Winter

I will find the tree for this image soon I hope.

The Champion American Plum Trees

The American forests champion American Plum tree lives in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.  It is 25 feet high and has a circumference of 84 inches. 

There are no listings for a state champion in North Carolina.

http://www.americanforests.org/big-trees/american-plum-prunus-americana/

My favorite American Plum Tree

I do not have a favorite American Plum tree yet.  I am searching for you.  Do you know of one I can meet?

Plant a American Plum Tree

The fruit, flowers and leaves of the American Plum are important food sources for birds, insects, and mammals.  

For the love of the trees,
Becky

Hawthorn - Crataegus, sp

Rosaceaae - Rose Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 79
Hawthorn
Crataegus, sp

Spring

The Hawthorn Tree - Crataegus sp.

This Hawthorn lives at the Asheville Botanical Gardens.  http://www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org/

This time of year the Hawthorn tree has no leaves so the thorns are very visible as well a few berries still hanging on the tree.

Summer

Hawthorn Tree Flowers and Thorns on the BlueRidge Parkway.  Photo by Robert Priddy.
www.RobertPriddyPhoto.com

The champion Hawthorn Tree at the Asheville Botanical Gardens

The fruits of the Hawthorn are tart, bright red, and resemble small crabapple fruits.
The fruits can be eaten raw, cooked, or in jam.  The leaves are edible and, if picked in spring when still young, they are tender enough to be used in salads.

Hawthorns have been used in naturopathic, Chinese, herbal and traditional medicine.

This is a small tree with long thorns. Leaves are toothed, variable, and simple.

There are as many as 1000 varieties of hawthorn trees. Some botanists will debate the number as being 100 varieties of hawthorns. This is because they are almost indistinguishable as species.

The Hawthorn berries stay on the tree through the winter providing food for many small mammals and birds.

Fall 

Hawthorn, sp

Oh, Hawthorn; what a tree. This tree has big thorns and beautiful fruit. This Hawthorn is what I call "on top of the world"; it lives on Mt. Pisgah on the Blueridge Parkway. There are many Hawthorns growing at this elevation.  It is over 5,000 feet above sea level at Mt. Pisgah.

The late summer ID tip is to look for the berries and the one-inch thorns, and it is probably a hawthorn.

Winter

The Hawthorn Tree

The thorns stand out in the winter to help us identify this tree when the leaves are absent.

The Champion Hawthorn Trees

I am challenged in identifying Hawthorn.   I have been calling theHawthorn trees I visit, Hawthorn, sp.  So, when I went to look up the Champions, I was getting species names of different Hawthorns.  So, I will need to research further which Hawthorn species I am visiting. 

My favorite Hawthorn Tree

My favorite Hawthorn trees live at the campground by Mt. Pisgah, the Mt. Pisgah campground.  They are strong and healthy and really beautiful.

Plant a Hawthorn Tree

Can you imagine no insects?  
Can you imagine no birds?
Like Rachel Carson called it, a silent spring.  Rachel Carson made a difference.
May we all make a difference and educate ourselves about why we must plant species native to the area in which we live.  Educate yourselves for now and for our children, our grandchildren, our great grandchildren.  


For the love of the trees, 
Becky


The Hawthorn tree is thorns, flowers,  berries, and leaves.