Identification Flashcards by Nick Harpe

umbrella magnolia - Magnolia tripetala
Family: Magnoliaceae

Growth habits: understory, 10-40’ tall, often multi-stem, narrow crown
Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple
Leaf margins: entire
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: very large, cluster at ends of branches, whorl-like “umbrella look”, no lobes at base like bigleaf magnolia, light green underside (compared to bluish-green underside on bigleaf)
Bark: Thin, gray, smooth but often with numerous raised lenticels
Fruit: clusters of dry fruit, not as fat as bigleaf fruit
Other:
Range: southern Appalachians

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chestnut oak - Quercus montana
Family: Fagaeceae

Growth habits: canopy sized, 70-80’, can get very large girth when old
Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple
Leaf margins: could be considered lobed or coarsely serrate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other:
Bark: dark, deeply fissured unlike other white oaks
Fruit: long plump acorn, rough scales on cap, can look like beatles haircut
Other:
Range: Appalachian, eastern/western KY but absent in central KY

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Honey-locust - Gleditsia triacanthos
Family: Fabaceae

Growth habits: small-medium, multi-stemmed, huge triple thorns (more when young)
Leaf arrangement: alternate, pinnately or bipinnately compound
Leaf margins: unlobed, finely serrate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: small narrow leaflets, 15-30 leaflets (pinnate) 4-7 pairs minor leaflets (bipinnate)
Bark: tight plates that curl and look like they would strip away but will not
Fruit: large legume 6-8” long (peapod-like)
Other: zig-zag twigs/stems
Range: Central hardwoods into the south

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mockernut hickory - Carya tomentosa
Family: Juglandaceae

Growth habits: tall and straight in forest, up to over 100’
Leaf arrangement: alternate, pinnately compound
Leaf margins: unlobed, finely serrate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: typically 7 leaflets, stout rachis with tufts of hair, tufts of hair on leaflet underside
Bark: light gray ridges with dark shallow furrows, never shaggy
Fruit: large 4 ribbed nut very similar to shagbark
Other: “monkey face” leaf scar, large terminal bud hershey kiss shaped
Range: widespread eastern US except far north, widespread KY

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eastern white pine - Pinus strobus
Family: Pinaceae

Growth habits: very straight trunk, can be giant (100’+), very large trunk when old, “tiers” of branches, shallow crown when in forest
Leaf arrangement: bundles of 5 needles (only eastern tree with this)
Leaves other: soft/pliable, narrow, bluish-green, varied length 2”-6”
Bark: smooth and greenish-gray when young, when older reddish brown layers of scales forming ridges broken into irregular shapes
Cones: longer than wide, large/variable size, thin scales, unarmed
Other:
Range: northern US into southern Appalachians, in KY mostly restricted to Red River Gorge

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shingle oak - Quercus imbricaria
Family: Fagaceae

Growth habits: medium up to 70’, lower branches often droop
Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple
Leaf margins: unlobed, entire
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: lanceolate with single bristle tip, leathery/shiny
Bark: tight, hard, very shallow furrows, gray-brown
Fruit: 5/8 inch acorn, apressed scales on cap, 1/3-1/2 covered by cap
Other:
Range: central hardwoods

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American chestnut - Castanea dentata
Family: Fagaceae

Growth habits: shrubby, small, multi-stemmed
Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple
Leaf margins: unlobed, coarsely serrate (sharply angled teeth)
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: longer and more pointed than American beech
Bark: smooth when young, cracks when mature
Fruit: nut inside very spiny bur
Other:
Range: Appalachian, mostly Cumberland Plateau & EKY mountains

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bald-cypress - Taxodium distichum
Family: Cupressaceae

Growth habits: large, pyramid shaped crown, fluted or buttressed base, often has knees in flooded conditions
Leaf arrangement: pinnately compound, small 2-ranked 1/2” leaflets
Leaves other: deciduous conifer, feathery looking leaves, yellow-green
Bark: red-brown, fibrous/shreddy
Cones: woody brown or green sphere, rough, shield-shaped scales
Other:
Range: southern US, far western KY

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witch-hazel - Hamamelis virginiana
Family: Hamamelidaceae

Growth habits: shrub, can be 12-15’
Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple
Leaf margins: unlobed, wavy-toothed
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: oblique (lopsided) base
Bark:
Fruit: small 4-sectioned capsule
Other: flowers late in fall season
Range: widespread eastern North America, widespread KY but less common in central KY

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bur oak - Quercus macrocarpa
Family: Fagaceae

Growth habits: large crown, large DBH when old, maybe 80’ tall
Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple
Leaf margins: lobed, entire
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: deepest sinus in middle of leaf
Bark: rougher than white oak, rough/corky on branches but not peeling like swamp white oak
Fruit: largest acorn, loose scales, hairy, “mossy cup oak”
Other:
Range: Central hardwoods to Upper Midwest, ranges into prairie states nad central Texas

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Osage-orange - Maclura pomifera
Family: Moraceae

Growth habits: medium sized, short trunk, stiff spiny branches
Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple
Leaf margins: unlobed, entire
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: slightly glossy, ovate/tear-drop shape, bleeds latex when broken off
Bark: orange-brown, scaly ridges w/ irregular furrows
Fruit: large round drupe cluster, citrus smell, looks like brains on outer surface, lots of latex inside
Other:
Range: widely planted in eastern US, widespread in KY but more common in western/central KY

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royal paulownia - Paulownia tomentosa
Family: Paulowniaceae

Growth habits: medium sized, thick twigs
Leaf arrangement: opposite, simple
Leaf margins: unlobed, entire/wavy
Leaf venation: palmate
Leaves other: very large, heart shaped, soft velvety texture
Bark: smooth with banding
Fruit: tear-shaped capsule, splits to release hundreds of seeds
Other:
Range: intro’d from East Asia, widespread mid-atlantic and southern states and KY

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American elm - Ulmus americana
Family: Ulmaceae

Growth habits: large canopy sized, 70-80’, good growth form
Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple
Leaf margins: unlobed, doubly serrate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: very oblique base
Bark: rough, doesn’t stay smooth long into tree’s life
Fruit: samara, flat prickled dime-sized, 1 seed
Other:
Range: widespread eastern north america and KY

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black cherry - Prunus serotina
Family: Rosaceae

Growth habits: small-med but up to 90’ on good sites
Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple
Leaf margins: unlobed, finely serrate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: narrow, shiny/glossy smooth, 1-3 basal glands
Bark: young bark is smooth w/ horizontal lenticels, very dark nearly black with small irregular plates when mautre
Fruit: dark purple round drupe in narrow clusters
Other: sharp bitter smell from broken twig (cyanide)
Range: widespread eastern NA and KY, especially common central KY

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basswood - Tilia americana
Family: Malvaceae

Growth habits: canopy, 80-90’, straight trunk, abundant root crown sprouting
Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple
Leaf margins: serrate, unlobed
Leaf venation: palmate
Leaves other: sometimes lopsided lobes at base, heart-shaped
Bark: young - smooth, gray mature - vertical fissures, often lines of woodpecker holes
Fruit: drupes wedded to tongue-depressor shaped bract
Other:
Range: widespread eastern N.A., widespread KY

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pignut hickory - Carya glabra
Family: Juglandaceae

Growth habits: medium sized, straight growth, shallow crown
Leaf arrangement: alternate, pinnately compund
Leaf margins: unlobed, finely serrate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: typically 5 leaflets, smooth texture, smallest leaflets among hickories
Bark: tight bark, furrowed when mature, ridges split into “V” shape
Fruit: smallest among hickories, thin husk
Other: smallest twigs/buds among hickories
Range: widespread in eastern US and KY

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persimmon - Diospyros virginiana
Family: Ebenaceae

Growth habits: small-med, 60’, round topped crown, crooked branches
Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple
Leaf margins: unlobed, entire
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: elliptical, yellow midrib stands out from dark green blade, sometimes fungal spotting on leaf
Bark: very dark alligator skin, resembles charcoal briquettes when mature
Fruit: plum like berry with leafy bracts on top
Other: 2 dark triangular scales on bud
Range: southeastern US

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sweetgum - Liquidambar styraciflua
Family: Hamamelidaceae

Growth habits: straight growth, narrow crown
Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple
Leaf margins: lobed, finely serrate
Leaf venation: palmate
Leaves other: 5 lobed star
Bark: rough and gray
Fruit: capsule that looks like a spiked mace head
Other: red, resinous buds
Range: southern US, widespread eastern/western KY, scarce in central KY

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tree-of-heaven - Ailanthus altissima
Family: Simaroubaceae

Growth habits: medium, sometimes tall, straight growth, sparse branching
Leaf arrangement: alternate, pinnately compound
Leaf margins: unlobed, entire, a small notch or 2 on margin near base
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: odd # of leaflets, can be large number/large leaves
Bark: smooth, gray, streaky
Fruit:
Other:
Range: introduced from East Asia, widespread eastern US

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water oak - Quercus nigra
Family: Fagaceae

Growth habits: medium sized, rounded crown, weeping lower branches
Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple
Leaf margins: 0-5 lobes, entire
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: may or may not be bristle tipped, variabe shape from spatulate to lanceolate, smooth texture
Bark: dark, tight, smooth when young, scaly ridges when mature
Fruit: 1/2’ acorn, very dark, 1/3 covered by cap
Other:
Range: southern; western/souther counties of KY

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Callery pear - Pyrus calleryana
Family: Rosaceae

Growth habits: small-medium, 30’
Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple
Leaf margins: unlobed, finely serrate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: long petioles, glossy and smooth
Bark: furrowed, indistinct
Fruit: small inedible pome
Other:
Range: widespread in eastern US

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Amur honeysuckle - Lonicera maackii
Family: Caprifoliaceae

Growth habits: multi-stemmed clonal shrub
Leaf arrangement: opposite, simple
Leaf margins: unlobed, entire
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: early leafout and late leaf drop
Bark: shreddy/papery with dark and light fissures
Fruit: clusters of red drupes
Other:
Range: widespread in our region

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blue ash - Fraxinus quadrangulata
Family: Oleaceae

Growth habits: medium sized, can be massive and scrappy looking if open grown
Leaf arrangement: opposite, pinnately compound
Leaf margins: unlobed, finely serrate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: leaflets are lanceolate (widest near base) as opposed to elliptical for other ashes
Bark: irregular fissures, scaly ridges, tighter than other ashes
Fruit: twisted, flat samara
Other: Twigs are box-shaped, “4 angles”, can see lines lengthwise at corners along twigs
Range: central hardwoods

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Kentucky coffeetree - Gymnocladus dioicus
Family: Fabaceae

Growth habits: medium sized, wide spreading crown, 80’ tall, 2’ DBH
Leaf arrangement: alternate, bipinnately compound
Leaf margins: unlobed, entire
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaves other: ovate shape, leaflets are alternate
Bark: platy, gray, may be some orangish coloring between plates
Fruit: 3-8 inch long pod (legume) 1.5-2 inches wide
Other: large leaf scar, tree can look dead in winter
Range: Central hardwoods, western and central KY, especially bluegrass

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cherrybark oak - Quercus pagoda Family: Fagaceae Growth habits: large, straight form, up to 100' and 3' dbh Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: entire, lobed Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: lobes resemble pagoda when viewed upside down, bright green above and duller below Bark: smooth when young, dark/scaly/rough when mature, can resemble black cherry Fruit: 1/2" acorn, cap covers about 1/3 Other: Range: southern US

winged elm - Ulmus alata Family: Ulmaceae Growth habits: small-med w/ rounded crown Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: unlobed, doubly serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: smaller than American, base not as oblique Bark: red-brown to ash gray, flat topped ridges and irregular furrows Fruit: flat samara, hairy on margin Other: corky "wings" on twigs and branches Range: southern US, common in western KY

white oak - Quercus alba Family: Fagaceae Growth habits: large canopy tree Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: lobed, entire Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: rounded lobes, deep sinuses, no bristle tips Bark: light to med gray, flaky and furrowed, "opening door" look to plates Fruit: acorn with a cap about 1/3 the length of the nut Other: Range: widespread in eastern US and KY

American plum - Prunus americana Family: Rosaceae Growth habits: shrubby small tree, spreading crown, spiny branches Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: finely serrate, unlobed Leaf venation: pinnate w/ prominent texture Leaves other: tiny basal glands Bark: reddish gray smooth w/ lenticels when young, rough w/ exfoliating strips when mature Fruit: fleshy drupe, nearly 1" across and round Other: Range: widespread eastern US, scattered throughout KY

eastern redbud - Cercis canadensis Family: Fabaceae Growth habits: large shrub or small tree up to 30', wide spreading branches Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: unlobed, entire Leaf venation: palmate Leaves other: smallish, heart-shaped (cordate) Bark: ridged/furrowed to scaly/shreddy, may have orange in cracks Fruit: flattened dry legumes, similar to pea-pod size Other: flowers/fruits out of trunk and major branches in addition to twigs Range: widespread eastern US except north, widspread in KY

eastern cottonwood - Populus deltoides Family: Salicaceae Growth habits: can be very large with big girth, 100', straight, trunk dominant, upturned branching Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: unlobed, coarsely serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: long petioles Bark: rugged, deeply furrowed when mature Fruit: capsule that releases lots of windblown seeds Other: Range: central/southern NA, western KY and along Ohio River

eastern redcedar - Juniperus virginiana Family: Cupressaceae Growth habits: small-med up to 60', deep dense crown Leaf arrangement: opposite, scale-like and needle-like Leaves other: Bark: red-brown color, exfoliates in strips exposing ash gray color Cones: berry-like cones, green in spring to dark blue in fall Other: Range: widespread eastern US, widespread KY, more common in west and central KY

sweet birch - Betula lenta Family: Betulaceae Growth habits: medium sized 40-50' tall, often multi-stemmed, rounded crown of twiggy dense spreading branches Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: doubly serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: leaves often in pairs Bark: dark colored, smooth when young, thin horizontal "dashes" Fruit: cone-like clusters of samara Other: very strong wintergreen scent from cracked twig (this is diagnostic!) Range: Appalachian, eastern KY, rocky/thin soils

boxelder - Acer negundo Family: Sapindaceae Growth habits: small-medium, poor form Leaf arrangement: opposite, pinnately compound Leaf margins: lobed, coarsely serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: 3-5 leaflets, could be confused with poison ivy Bark: gray-brown Fruit: double samara (helicopter), holds onto fruit into fall Other: green twigs, white kinda fuzzy buds Range: widespread eastern North America, wide range into northern great plains along rivers

mountain laurel - Kalmia latifolia Family: Ericaceae Growth habits: multi-stemmed shrub, could be 15' Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: unlobed, entire Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: broadleaf evergreen, shorter than rhododendron leaves Bark: shreddy/fibrous Fruit: capsule Other:showy white flowers, poisonus if eaten (can even taint honey if bees use its pollen) Range: Appalachian and southern US, mostly eastern KY

white ash - Fraxinus americana Family: Oleaceae Growth habits: large up to 80', straight growth, narrowly oblong crown Leaf arrangement: opposite, pinnately compound Leaf margins: unlobed, entire Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: underside of leaf has whitish stuff that is like surface of tongue Bark: gray/brown, interlacing ridges that form diamonds, older trees may be scaly Fruit: single wing samara, plump seed and wing does not envelope much of the seed Other: curved "clown smile" leaf scar can differentiate from green ash Range: widespread eastern NA, far north/high in Appalachians, widespread KY, more common in limestone regions central/western KY

yellow buckeye - Aesculus flava Family: Sapindacaea Growth habits: canopy, 80-90', oval spreading crown Leaf arrangement: opposite, palmately compound Leaf margins: serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: Bark: young - smooth and gray mature - furrowed or scaly Fruit: smooth, buff-colored capsule Other: Range: Appalachian, eastern KY into KY River watershed in central KY, ranges high into Appalachian mts (to 4k feet)

black willow - Salix nigra Family: Salicaceae Growth habits: shrubby in forest Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: unlobed, finely serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: Bark: dark, furrowed, forking ridges, plates seperate from trunk Fruit: capsule releases windblown seeds Other: oppressed buds on thin twigs Range: widespread eastern NA and KY

leaf smells of green pepper when broken open

pawpaw - Asimina triloba Family: Annonaceae Growth habits: understory tree/shrub, clonal copies/sprouts Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: unlobed, entire Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: smells like green pepper if you break it open, large leaves that are wider toward tip Bark: smooth, brown, sometimes wart-like lenticels Fruit: large, yellowish-green berry, oblong Other: quite tropical looking tree with its large leaves Range: southern US

shortleaf pine - Pinus echinata Family: Pinaceae Growth habits: medium sized, shallow crown, straight growth Leaf arrangement: bundles of 2 or 3 needles Leaves other: straight (no twist) Bark: flat pale plates, pitch pockets/blisters Cones: small, slight, a little longer than they are wide, 2-3" maybe, delicate woody unarmed scales Other: Range: southern US, eastern KY

miniscule tufts of "hair" between teeth on leaf margin

shagbark hickory - Carya ovata Family: Juglandaceae Growth habits: canopy sized, straight trunk, narrow shallow crown in forest, 60-75' Leaf arrangement: alternate, pinnately compound (usually 5 leaflets) Leaf margins: unlobed, finely serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: odd number of leaflets, very miniscule tufts of hair between margin teeth (difficult to see) Bark: vertical plates that separate from trunk, "shaggy" Fruit: nut inside large green woody husk, round/pumpkin shaped, husk scraps on ground will be very thick and half moon shaped Other: Range: widespread eastern US, widespread KY

pin oak - Quercus palustris Family: Fagaceae Growth habits: medium sized, can get 80-90' on best site, drooping lower branches, poor pruning Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: lobed, entire, bristle tips Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: usually 2 lobes/side, mostly perpindicular lobes, wide sinuses, smaller than other red oak leaves Bark: similar to other reds but smoother Fruit: small acorn that looks squashed or compressed Other: Range: central hardwoods

river birch - Betula nigra Family: Betulaceae Growth habits: small-medium, sometimes multi-stemmed, can be 60-80' Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: unlobed, very doubly serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: Bark: papery, peels a lot Fruit: samara Other: rough fuzzy feel on twigs Range: southern US, ranges north to Wisconsin along Mississippi River, up to NY in coastal plain, east/west KY absent centeral KY

American holly - Ilex opaca Family: Aquifoliaceae Growth habits: small-medium, 20-30' tall in forest, deep crown Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: sharp spines all around margin Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: broad-leafed evergreen Bark: light-gray and smooth Fruit: on females, green to bright red drupe Other: Range: southeastern US, coastal plain to southern NE, eastern KY

black locust - Robinia pseudoacacia Family: Fabaceae Growth habits: crooked wandering trunk/branches, lots of root suckers Leaf arrangement: alternate, pinnately compound Leaf margins: unlobed, entire Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: 9-23 leaflets, terminal present, elliptical, broader than honey-locust, differentiate from honey-locust by never being bipinnately compound Bark: deeply furrowed, stout ridges, woven look Fruit: flattened legume Other: armed with spines when young Range: widespread eastern US, common in Appalachians and Ozarks

swamp white oak - Quercus bicolor Family: Fagaceae Growth habits: medium sized, similar form to other white oaks Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: lobed/larged teeth, 6-8 lobes per side Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: dark on top, light on underside Bark: similar to white oaks, exfoliates on limbs Fruit: acorn on very long stalk Other: Range: central hardwoods

sycamore - Platanus occidentalis Family: Platanaceae Growth habits: can be very large, tall and thick Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: lobed, coarsely toothed Leaf venation: palmate Leaves other: "batman" like leaf margins, obvious stipules Bark: white mottled, flakes/sloughs off Fruit: round balls/clusters of seeds, fluffy when pulled apart Other: buds hidden, exposed when leaf is pulled off Range: widespread in eastern North America and KY

bitternut hickory - Carya cordiformis Family: Juglandaceae Growth habits: can be very tall 100', open rounded crown Leaf arrangement: alternate, pinnately compound Leaf margins: unlobed, serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: more leaflets than other hickories (7-11), leaflets gradually decrease in size from apex to base Bark: tight, narrow ridges, lighter gray than other hickories Fruit: small for a hickory, thin husk, raised wings at shell sutures Other: naked yellow bud Range: widespread eastern US, widespread KY

northern red oak - Quercus rubra Family: Fagaceae Growth habits: fast growing, 75' tall, straight dominant trunk Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: 7-11 bristle-tipped lobes, acute angled sinus cut halfway to the midrib Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: Bark: dark grey with lighter colored vertical furrows resembling ski trails Fruit: fat acorn with small cap (5 gallon hat on a 10 gallon head) Other: Range: widespread eastern N.A., widespread KY

willow oak - Quercus phellos Family: Fagaceae Growth habits: medium sized up to 80', dense oblong crown, poor self-pruning Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: entire, unlobed Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: single bristle tip, short petiole Bark: smooth/gray/tight when young, dark w/ irregular ridges/furrows when mature Fruit: 1/4" acorns, nearly round, thin cap covering 1/4 of nut Other: Range: southern US, western/southern KY

bigleaf magnolia - Magnolia macrophylla Family: Magnoliaceae Growth habits: understory, 30-40' tall, spreading, course/sparse branching Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: entire, wavy Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: very large (up to 30"), 2 lobes a leaf base (differentiates from umbrella magnolia), grayish/blueish white underside that stands out when dropped on ground Bark: Thin, smooth and gray-brown, may develop small platy patches Fruit: round to egg-shaped clusters of dry fruit, rose-colored and about 3 inches long Other: large flower buds at branch tips Range: southern US, eastern KY

underside leaf midrib feels rough due to fine little stiff "hairs"

sourwood - Oxydendrum arboreum Family: Ericaseae Growth habits: small-medium understory, 20-30', often multi-stemmed, crooked wandering trunk with side branches that may go vertical Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: unlobed, finely serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: fine little stiff hairs on underside midrib make it feel rough Bark: dark, ridges/furrows, firm Fruit: capsules lined op on "spray" of twigs at end of branch Other: new twig growth can be colorful Range: southern US, Cumberland Plateau in KY

fine fibers visible if you slowly pull apart a leaf blade

flowering dogwood - Cornus florida Family: Cornaceae Growth habits: understory, 20-30', usually single trunk split close to ground Leaf arrangement: opposite (difficult to tell), simple Leaf margins: entire Leaf venation: pinnate, secondary veins gradually curve back to tip (diagnostic!!) Leaves other: fine fibers visible when slowly pulling apart leaf blades Bark: young - light gray and smooth mature - gray-brown alligator/lizard skin Fruit: groups of green to red drupes Other: four bracts look like showy white flowers Range: widespread eastern N.A.

leaves may be slightly fuzzy

shellbark hickory - Carya laciniosa Family: Juglandaceae Growth habits: tall, straight, thick twigs Leaf arrangement: alternate, pinnately compound Leaf margins: unlobed, finely serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: generally 7 leaflets, largest hickory leaves, slightly fuzzy, rachis is stout Bark: similar to shagbark hickory Fruit: largest hickory nut, oblong (shagbark is round), very thick shell, typically 4-ribbed Other: sheds leaflets in fall but leaves rachis behind on tree, gives look of "claws) Range: central hardwoods, western/central KY but not eastern KY

slippery elm - Ulmus rubra Family: Ulmaceae Growth habits: medium up to 80', less drooping than american elm Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: doubly serrate, unlobed Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: 4-7", much larger than American elm, drip tip, feels rough like sandpaper Bark: dark reddish brown, fissures not as diamond shaped as American Fruit: round, papery samara, quarter sized Other: Range: widespread eastern US and KY, absent deep south

Devil's walkingstick - Aralia spinosa Family: Araliaceae Growth habits: clonal shrub to small tree Leaf arrangement: alternate, bipinnately compound Leaf margins: unlobed, finely serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: VERY large bipinnately compound leaf Bark: very sharp spines on bark Fruit: clusters of drupes Other: Range: southern US, common in east/west KY but absent in central KY

rosebay rhododendron - Rhododendron maximum Family: Ericaceae Growth habits: understory shrubs/small trees, 10-18' tall, dense thickets often called "rhodohells" Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: smooth Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: broadleaf evegreen, 6-10" long, dark green, light green underside w/ rust colored hairs in early season Bark: thin, light brown, smooth when young, thin scales when older Fruit: clusters of dry capsules Other: also known as great laurel Range: Appalachian, eastern KY

freshly broken twig smells slightly skunky

Ohio buckeye - Aesculus glabra Family: Sapindaceae Growth habits: dense, broad-oblong crown becoming rounded with age Leaf arrangement: opposite, palmately compound Leaf margins: unlobed, finely serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: 5 leaflets, slightly smaller than yellow buckeye Bark: dull brownish gray due to very fine hairs, scattered pale lenticels Fruit: fleshy globular capsule, golden brown, leathery with short spines or bumps Other: fresh broken twig smells slightly skunky Range: Central hardwoods, common in central and western KY

red maple - Acer rubrum Family: Sapindaceae Growth habits: 40-55' tall, straight growth, dense branching Leaf arrangement: opposite, simple Leaf margins: lobed, finely serrate, deep v-shaped sinus Leaf venation: palmate Leaves other: 3 major lobes with 2 small basal lobes, landscaping/bottomlands varieties may lack the basal lobes Bark: smooth, light gray, irregular cracking when mature Fruit: samara, double helicopter, usually red Other: twig and bud growth is generally reddish Range: widespread in eastern North America

red mulberry - Morus rubra Family: Moraceae Growth habits: understory, 20-35' tall, spread branching, lacks root-crown sprouting Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: finely serrate Leaf venation: palmate Leaves other: variable shape (1, 2, or 3 lobed), sometimes like mitten with narrow point on thumb, rough upper surface, soft hairy undersurface, produces milky-white latex from leaf stem Bark: grayish-brown, somewhat non-desrcipt, narrow irregular strips separated by very shallow furrows Fruit: large berries similar to a blackberry Other: Range: widespread eastern US, widespread KY

post oak - Quercus stellata Family: Fagaceae Growth habits: small-med up to 65', gnarled twisted branching Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: lobed, entire/wavy Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: cruciform shape w/ squared middle lobes, leathery texture, felty and pale underside Bark: blocky and ridged similar to white oak Fruit: small acorn w/ warty cap, individual scales more apparent than white oak Other: Range: southern, throughout KY but more common in western KY

butternut, white walnut - Juglans cinerea Family: Juglandaceae Growth habits: small-med up to 60', forked/crooked trunk, wide spreading branches Leaf arrangement: alternate, pinnately compound Leaf margins: unlobed, finely serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: usually has terminal leaflet, 11-17 leaflets, stout rachis Bark: light ash gray, flat-topped shiny ridges, diamond patterns Fruit: oblong, yellow-green to light brown, 4-ribbed Other: Range: northern US, uncommon to rare throughout most of KY

winged sumac - Rhus copallina Family: Anacardiaceae Growth habits: small tree or clonal shrub w/ spreading branches Leaf arrangement: alternate, pinnately compound Leaf margins: entire, unlobed Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: prominent wings on rachis between leaflets, 7-15 leaflets, terminal present Bark: light brown to gray, smooth young, thin scales mature Fruit: terminal clusters of dark red round drupes Other: Range: southern US, widespread KY but scarce in central KY

chinkapin oak - Quercus muehlenbergii Family: Fagaceae Growth habits: medium sized w/ rounded crown Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: shallow lobes or very coarse teeth Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: tiny gland on tip of each lobe Bark: thin, light gray, rough and flaky, similar to white oak Fruit: small acorn, broadest below middle, thin cap with tattered fringe Other: Range: central hardwoods into south, mostly central/western KY

silver maple - Acer saccharinum Family: Sapindaceae Growth habits: medium sized, multi-stemmed Leaf arrangement: opposite, simple Leaf margins: lobed, coarsely serrate Leaf venation: palmate Leaves other: deep sinuses flank middle lobe, sides of middle lobe are concave, whitish on underside Bark: light gray and smooth when young, broken separated plates when mature Fruit: double samara (helicopter) with wider angled 'V' shape Other: Range: widespread eastern North America

black maple - Acer nigrum Family: Sapindaceae Growth habits: med-large, similar to sugar maple Leaf arrangement: opposite, simple Leaf margins: lobed, entire Leaf venation: palmate Leaves other: pointier lobes than sugar maple, thicker than sugar, raised veins on underside, leaves look wilted but are not, may have stipules Bark: similar to sugar maple Fruit: double samara similar to sugar maple Other: mottled bark on twigs (sugar maple is typically plain) Range: Central hardwoods, often in limestone regions

pecan - Carya illinoinensis Family: Juglandaceae Growth habits: large tree, can be over 100', spreading crown Leaf arrangement: alternate, pinnately compound Leaf margins: finely serrate, unlobed Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: often curved, 9-15 leaflets, smooth size graduation from base to tip, terminal present Bark: smooth young, narrowly fissured in thin broken strips when mature Fruit: thin shell, large, oblong, splotched with black, 1.5-2" long, raised wings Other: twigs moderately fuzzy Range: southern

overcup oak - Quercus lyrata Family: Fagaceae Growth habits: medium sized, poor form Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: entire, lobed Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: variable, 5-9 lobes, white pubescent underside Bark: resembles white oak Fruit: 1/2-1" acorn, almost entirely covered by warty cap Other: Range: southern

white mulberry - Morus alba Family: Moraceae Growth habits: small up to 40', low branching, spreading crown Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: lobed, finely serrate Leaf venation: palmate Leaves other: smaller, glossier, and with rounded lobes compared to morus rubra Bark: orangish brown Fruit: berries like red mulberry Other: Range: common in central KY, widespread

nut husk is very fragrant

black walnut - Juglans nigra Family: Juglandaceae Growth habits: spreading, zig-zaggy branches, not trunk dominant at maturity Leaf arrangement: alternate, pinnately compound Leaf margins: finely serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: even numbered leaflets, usually no terminal leaflet (very small if so), slightly curved Bark: deep brown/chocolate, deep fissures/furrows, rough Fruit: round hard shelled nut, thick green husk, fragrant Other: Range: widespread eastern US, widespread KY, especially common central KY

may have brown "fuzz" on leaf underside in spring

black oak - Quercus velutina Family: Fagaceae Growth habits: canopy sized, 80-90' Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: lobed, entire, deep sinuses, typically 2-3 lobes/side, sinus angle less acute than northern red Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: extremely variable, in spring have brown "fuzz" underneath, shinier and larger than northern red oak leaf Bark: dark blocky bark that continues up into canopy Fruit: very small acorn with rough scales on cap Other: long pointed somewhat hairy buds Range: widespread eastern US, scarce or absent in north, widespread in KY

common hackberry - Celtis occidentalis Family: Cannabaceae Growth habits: small-med, 60', wide spreading crown Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: unlobed, finely serrate Leaf venation: palmate (looks pinnate farther from base) Leaves other: slightly oblique base, very long leaf point Bark: strands of corky warts, very rugged Fruit: round drupes, orange-red to dark purple Other: thin zig-zaggy twigs Range: central hardwoods, widespread Ky but more common central/western

hawthorn - Crataegus spp. Family: Rosaceae Growth habits: dense shrub or small tree up to 15-25' Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: lobed (usually), serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: highly variable shapes on different plants Bark: smooth gray/brown young, darker and scaly mature Fruit: small red pomes, 1/4' diameter Other: long sharp spines Range: widespread eastern NA and KY

Shumard oak - Quercus shumardii Family: Fagaceae Growth habits: pyramidal when young, open rounded crown when mature, 70-80' Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: lobed, entire Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: sinuses deep and somewhat narrow, ends of lobes flare a bit, creating "thumb" shaped outline in sinues Bark: similar to northern red oak Fruit: 3/4-1-1/4 in long, shallow bowl-shaped scaly cap covering less than 1/3 of nut Other: Range: Central hardwoods and southern

longer/shinier leaves are bottomlands/landscaping variety, more obvate pointed leaves are forest/uplands variety

blackgum - Nyssa sylvatica Family: Nyssaceae Growth habits: small-medium sized, straight trunk w/ perpendicular branching Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: unlobed, entire Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: often attached to short shoots, 2 leaf versions: bottomlands/landscaping will be longer and shinier, woods/upland type will be more obvate with a point Bark: gray-brown, broken up, can be furrowed or alligator skin or both Fruit: paired or tripled drupes, similar to blueberries in appearance Other: Range: widespread eastern US, rare in northern states, common in east and west KY but rare in central KY

pitch pine - Pinus rigida Family: Pinaceae Growth habits: small-medium, poor growth form Leaf arrangement: bundles of 3 needles Leaves other: pretty long needles, slightly twisted and thick Bark: dark, deep fissures, no pitch blisters Cones: fat, fist-shaped or squat cone shaped, armed with prickles Other: Range: northeastern US into southern Appalachians, eastern KY

leaves may be thin or leathery

American beech - Fagus grandifolia Family: Fagaceae Growth habits: big, straight, abundant stump sprouting, rounded crown, dense horizontal branching, 60-80' tall sometimes taller Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: unlobed, coarsely serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: can be either thin or leathery Bark: light gray and smooth throughout life Fruit: irregular triangular, brown, prickly husk Other: Range: widespread eastern N.A., widespread in KY

downy serviceberry - Amelanchier arborea Family: Rosaceae Growth habits: minor tree, 15-25', multi-stemmed Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: unlobed, finely serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: thin, elliptical w/ point, secondary veins "break up" near margin, sometimes small notch at leaf base Bark: light gray, smooth until maturity, vertical dark streaks on close inspection Fruit: pomes that look similar to blueberries Other: Range: Applachian, ranging into the north, widespread in KY but most common in eastern KY

scarlet oak - Quercus coccinea Family: Fagaceae Growth habits: medium sized, often poor form Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: lobed, entire Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: deep, open rounded sinuses, lets light through in canopy Bark: dark and blocky down low, similar to northern red oak up higher Fruit: slightly bigger acorn than black oak, often has concentric circles around point on bottom Other: showy red fall color Range: widespread eastern US, rare/absent in northern states, east and west KY but nearly absent in central KY

glossy-smooth texture/feel on top of leaves

American hornbeam - Carpinus caroliniana Family: Betulaceae Growth habits: understory, 15-20' tall, often multi-stemmed Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: doubly serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: glossy smooth feel/texture on top Bark: thin, bluish-gray, fairly smooth Fruit: very small nut at base of 3-lobed leafy bract Other: also known as musclewood for the muscle-like look of mature trunk and larger branches, lack of wintergreen smell and lack of paired leaves can help differentiate from sweet birch Range: widespread in eastern N.A. and KY

tulip-poplar - Liriodendron tulipifera Family: Magnoliaceae Growth habits: very straight, dominant trunk, can be giant, high canopy Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: 4 lobes, very unique to this tree Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: Bark: mature: dark gray, deeply furrowed, long rough interconnecting ridges separated by lighter gray fissures Fruit: aggregate group of samaras Other: showy flowers in spring Range: widespread eastern US except north, widespread in KY

southern red oak - Quercus falcata Family: Fagaceae Growth habits: medium sized, open rounded form Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: lobed, entire, small # of lobes Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: long terminal lobe, "jet wings", u shaped base (sometimes oblique), shade leaves can look like duck feet Bark: blocky, dark Fruit: ver small acorns Other: Range: southern US

Virginia pine - pinus virginiana Family: Pinaceae Growth habits: small-medium, poor growth form Leaf arrangement: bundles of 2 needles Leaves other: pretty short needles Bark: blocky down low, scaly up high, sometimes a reddinsh/orange hue up high Cones: similar to shortleaf but armed with prickles, small Other: Range: southern US, eastern KY and along TN border

smooth sumac - Rhus glabra Family: Anacardiaceae Growth habits: small tree or clonal shrub, spreading crown Leaf arrangement: alternate, pinnately compound Leaf margins: serrate, unlobed Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: 11-31 leaflets, terminal present, dark green above and paler below Bark: smooth w/ lenticels, scaly ridges develop with age Fruit: small 1/8" red drupes in terminal clusters Other: Range: widespread US, widespread KY

sugar maple - Acer saccharum Family: Sapindaceae Growth habits: canopy tree 80-90' tall, dense/fine branching Leaf arrangement: opposite, simple Leaf margins: mostly 5-lobed (3 larger, 2 smaller near base), sharp points separated by shallow u-shaped notches Leaf venation: palmate Leaves other: Bark: young - smooth, light gray mature - darker color w/ wide vertical strips separated by irregular cracks/grooves Fruit: double samara (helicopter) Other: Range: northern US, widespread in KY on good sites

soft flaky bark, can dent with thumbnail or rub away with palm of hand

cucumber magnolia - Magnolia acuminata Family: Magnoliaceae Growth habits: straight trunk, course/thick branching, can be 50+ ft tall Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: entire, slightly wavy Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: elliptical with pointed tip Bark: Light gray-brown and flaky, quite soft (can dent with thumbnail), much darker reddish brown when flaked away. Fruit: cucumber shaped cluster of dry fruit with waxy red aril Other: also called cucumbertree Range: Appalachia, eastern KY

sassafras - Sassafras albidum Family: Lauraceae Growth habits: small-med up to 60', irregular sometimes twisted trunk/branches, usually flat-topped crown Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: lobed, entire Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: 3 distinct leaf shapes (unlobed, 2 or 3 lobed), fragrant when crushed Bark: brown, cinnamon colored inner bark, coarsely ridged/furrowed, spicy aroma when cut Fruit: dark berry/drupe held upright in red cup Other: Range: widespread eastern US and KY

swamp chestnut oak - Quercus michauxii Family: Fagaceae Growth habits: med-large 80', good form with narrow crown Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: lots of large blunt teeth or very small lobes Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: larger than chestnut oak, no glands like chinkapin oak Bark: ragged version of white oak bark Fruit: large 1-1.5" acorn, cap covers 1/3 of nut Other: Range: southern, far west KY

sugarberry - Celtis laevigata Family: Cannabaceae Growth habits: medium up to 80', can be big dbh, broad crown, drooping branches Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: varies from serrate to entire Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: smaller than hackberry, oblique base, long pointed Bark: warty like hackberry, smoother when young Fruit: small round drupe, usually orangish-brown in fall Other: Range: southern US, western KY

northern catalpa - Catalpa speciosa Family: Bignoniaceae Growth habits: medium up to 80', spreading crooked branches, irregular crown, trunk often crooked Leaf arrangement: whorled or opposite, simple Leaf margins: unlobed, entire Leaf venation: palmate/pinnate Leaves other: 3 per node when whorled, large heart-shaped Bark: gray to brown, irregular shallow fissures and scaly ridges Fruit: very long round bean-like stiff hanging capsules Other: Range: widely planted in eastern US

eastern hemlock - Tsuga canadensis Family: Pinaceae Growth habits: pyramid shaped, very branchy, deep crown, 80-90' tall, large girth, drooping branches Leaf arrangement: alternate, individual small flat green pointed needles Leaves other: 2 parallel white stripes on underside (caused by rows of stomata) Bark: when young, gray-brown and smooth. when mature, cinnamon brown w/ thick ridges forming flat plates Cones: very small, egg-shaped, papery scales, unarmed, rounded at tips Other: Range: northern US and Appalachian, eastern KY

eastern hophornbeam - Ostrya virginiana Family: Betulaceae Growth habits: small understory up to 30', round crown with fine branches Leaf arrangement: alternate, simple Leaf margins: unlobed, doubly serrate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: dull upper leaf and softer texture compared to musclewood, many secondary veins fork near the margins Bark: medium brown with shreddy appearance Fruit: nut under bract cluster that looks like hops Other: Range: widespread eastern NA and KY

green ash - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Family: Oleaceae Growth habits: large, good form, very regular branching Leaf arrangement: opposite, pinnately compound, 5-7, possibly 9 leaflets Leaf margins: finely serrate, unlobed Leaf venation: pinnate Leaves other: elliptical shape (widest at middle) Bark: rough and furrowed Fruit: samara, wing slightly envelopes seed Other: shield shaped bud on top of leaf scar Range: wide spread eastern north America ranging into northern great plains in Canada

Identification Flashcards

(92 cards)