This document provides descriptions of 20 tree species that are common in the watershed. For each species, it lists key identifying characteristics including leaf shape and arrangement, flower features, fruit/seed structures, twig and bark textures, and typical growth form. The trees described include various pine, oak, maple, birch, hickory, ash, and other hardwood species. The document appears to be from a presentation on tree (dendrology) identification in the local watershed area.

1. Dendrology
Presentation
John Ndiritu
 Loblolly Pine ( Pinus taeda)
 Virginia Pine ( Pinus virginiana)
 White Oak (Quercus alba)
 Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcate)
 Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea)
 Chesnut oak (Quercus prinus)
 Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
 Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
 Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
 Red maple (Acer rubrum)
 River Birch ( Betula nigra)
 Black maple ( Acer nigrum)
 Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus)
 Hazel alder (Alnus serrulata)
 Sweet birch (Betula lenta
 Butternut hickory (Carya cordiformis)
 Red hickory (Carya ovalis)
 White ash (Fraxinus americana)
 Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)

2. Loblolly Pine ( Pinus taeda)
Common in the watershed and one of the dominant
pines in managed and unmanaged forests. Infestation
by the Southern American Beetle is prevalent.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factshe
et.cfm?ID=34
Leaf: Evergreen needles, 6 to 9 inches long, with
(usually)
Flower: Species is monoecious; males long
cylindrical, red to yellow, in clusters at branch tips;
females yellow to purple.
Fruit: Ovoid to cylindrical, 3 to 6 inch red-brown
cones; umbo is armed with a short spine, maturing in
early fall.
Twig: Orange-brown in color, fine to moderately
stout; buds are narrowly ovoid, light reddish brown.
Bark: Initially red- to gray-brown and scaly; older
trees are ridged and furrowed, with somewhat
rounded scaly plates; very old trees have red-brown,
flat scaly plates.
Form: A medium to large tree can reach well over
100 feet tall, self-prunes well and develops a fairly
straight trunk and an oval, somewhat open crown

3. Virginia Pine ( Pinus virginiana)
Common in the watershed and one of the pines in
managed and unmanaged forests. Infestation by the
Southern American Beetle is prevalent. Political
pressure to increase the tree stands in state forest due
to its name.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet
.cfm?ID=34
Leaf: Evergreen needles, 1 1/2 to 3 inches long, with 2
yellow-green, twisted, somewhat divergent needles per
fascicle.
Flower: Species is monoecious; males cylindrical,
yellow, near branch tip; females yellow to red, curved
prickle present.
Fruit: Conical to ovoid cones are 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches
long.
Twig: Slender, green changing to purple-green with a
glaucous bloom; buds gray-brown, narrowly ovoid.
Bark: Orange-brown and scaly on young trees; older
stems develop thin, small, scaly plates, cinnamon
colored patches often on upper parts of trunk.
Form: A small to medium sized tree reaching up to 70
feet tall, eventually develops a flat top sparse crown;
dead, gray (sharply angled upwards) branch stubs are
almost always present along the trunk.

4. White Oak (Quercus alba)
Common in the watershed and riparian and tree stands in
residential subdivisions.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm
?ID=34
Leaf: Alternate, simple, oblong to ovate in shape, 4 to 7
inches long; 7 to 10 rounded, finger-like lobes, sinus depth
varies from deep to shallow, apex is rounded and the base
is wedge-shaped, green to blue-green above and whitish
below.
Flower: Species is monoecious; male flowers are yellow-
green, borne in naked, slender catkins, 2 to 4 inches long;
female flowers are reddish green and appear as very small
single spikes; appearing with the leaves in mid-spring.
Fruit: Ovoid to oblong acorn, cap is warty and bowl-
shaped, covers 1/4 of the fruit; cap always detaches at
maturity; matures in one growing season in the early fall.
Twig: Red-brown to somewhat gray, even a bit purple at
times, hairless and often shiny; multiple terminal buds are
red-brown, small, rounded (globose) and hairless.
Bark: Whitish or ashy gray, varying from scaly on smaller
stems to irregularly platy or blocky on large stems. On
older trees smooth patches are not uncommon.
Form: A very large tree; when open grown, white oaks
have rugged, irregular crowns that are wide spreading, with
a stocky bole. In the forest crowns are upright and oval with
trees reaching up to 100 feet tall and several feet in
diameter

5. Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcate)
Common in the watershed: riparian and forest
stands and also residential subdivisions.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/facts
heet.cfm?ID=34
Leaf: Alternate, simple, 5 to 9 inches long and
roughly obovate in outline with bristle tipped
lobes..
Flower: Species is monoecious; males yellow-
green (tinged with red) borne on long thread like
catkins; females reddish and borne on short
spikes, both appearing in spring with the leaves.
Fruit: Acorns are 1/2 inch long, orange-brown and
pubescent. The cap covers less than 1/3 of the nut
and is quite thin and flattened; cap scales are
orange-brown, appressed and slightly pubescent;
matures after two years, ripens in the fall.
Twig: Reddish brown in color, may be gray-
pubescent (particularly rapidly growing stems such
as stump sprouts) or glabrous; multiple terminal
buds are dark reddish brown, pubescent, pointed
and only 1/8 to 1/4 inch long, laterals buds are
similar, but shorter.
Bark: Dark in color, thick, with broad, scaly ridges
separated by deep, narrow furrows. Resembles Q.
velutina, but the inner bark is only slightly yellow.
Form: A medium sized tree up to 90 feet tall with a
rounded crown.

6. Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea)
Common in the watershed: riparian and forest stands and also
residential subdivisions.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID
=34
Leaf: Alternate, simple, 3 to 7 inches long, oval in shape with
very deep sinuses and bristle-tipped lobes, shiny green above,
paler and generally hairless below but may have tufts in vein
axils.
Flower: Species is monoecious; males are borne on slender
yellow-green catkins; females are borne on very short axillary
spikes, both appear with the leaves in spring.
Fruit: Acorns are 1/2 to 1 inch long, with the cap covering 1/2
of the nut, cap scales are shiny, somewhat resembling a
varnished black oak cap, scales on edges of cap generally not
loose; the tip of the acorn may have concentric rings or fine
cracks; maturing in two years and ripening in the fall.
Twig: Moderately stout, red-brown with multiple terminal buds;
buds reddish brown, plump, pointed, slightly angled, and
covered with a light colored pubescence on the top half.
Bark: On young trees, gray-brown, with smooth streaks; later
becoming darker and developing irregular broad ridges and
narrow furrows especially near the base.
Form: A medium size tree reaching up to 80 feet tall with
generally poor form, irregular crown, and many dead
branches. A butt-swell is often noticeable, and often is useful
in identification.

7. Chesnut oak (Quercus prinus)
One of the common oaks in the watershed : riparian and
forest stands and also residential subdivisions.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID
=34
Leaf: Alternate, simple, 3 to 7 inches long, oval in shape with
very deep sinuses and bristle-tipped lobes, shiny green above,
paler and generally hairless below but may have tufts in vein
axils.
Flower: Species is monoecious; males are borne on slender
yellow-green catkins; females are borne on very short axillary
spikes, both appear with the leaves in spring.
Fruit: Acorns are 1/2 to 1 inch long, with the cap covering 1/2
of the nut, cap scales are shiny, somewhat resembling a
varnished black oak cap, scales on edges of cap generally not
loose; the tip of the acorn may have concentric rings or fine
cracks; maturing in two years and ripening in the fall.
Twig: Moderately stout, red-brown with multiple terminal buds;
buds reddish brown, plump, pointed, slightly angled, and
covered with a light colored pubescence on the top half.
Bark: On young trees, gray-brown, with smooth streaks; later
becoming darker and developing irregular broad ridges and
narrow furrows especially near the base.
Form: A medium size tree reaching up to 80 feet tall with
generally poor form, irregular crown, and many dead
branches. A butt-swell is often noticeable, and often is useful
in identification

8. Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Common in the watershed: riparian and forest stands
and also residential subdivisions.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cf
m?ID=34
Leaf: Alternate, simple, palmately veined, orbicular, 4-
lobed with an entire margin, 4 to 8 inches long, notched to
flat top. Somewhat shaped like a tulip, light green to
green.
Flower: Perfect, showy, resembling a large tulip, but high
in the tree, 2 1/2 inches long, with yellow-green petals and
an orange corolla, appearing in late spring to early
summer.
Fruit: An oblong (cone-like) aggregate of samaras (2
inches long), deciduous at maturity; each samara is 1-
winged, 1 1/2 inches long, and curved upwards at seed
cavity (resembling the front keel of a boat); maturing
August to October and disseminating through late fall and
winter; base whorls of samaras persist on fruit into
following spring and resemble wooden flowers high in the
tree.
Twig: Red-brown in color, often with a shiny appearance
or a waxy bloom. Stipules are large and encircle the twig;
buds are elongated and valvate, resembling a "duck bill".
Twigs have a sweet, spicy odor when broken.
Bark: Light gray-green and smooth when young, later
developing flat-topped ridges and conspicuous white
colored furrows in diamond shaped patterns. On older
trees sapsucker holes are common.
Form: In a forest, a large tree with a long, straight limb-
free bole very often reaching over 100 feet tall. Open-
grown trees have a pyramidal crown when young,
becoming oval in shape with time.

9. Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
Appears as single trees in the residential
subdivisions and watershed landscape. Seeds
pods easy to notice.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/fact
sheet.cfm?ID=34
Leaf: Alternate, pinnately compound, with 7 to 19
leaflets, 8 to 14 inches long. Leaflets are oval, one inch
long, with entire margins. Leaves resemble sprigs of
grapes; green above and paler below.
Flower: Perfect, showy and fragrant, white, 1 inch long
and pea-like, borne in long (5 inches) hanging clusters,
appear in mid to late spring.
Fruit: Flattened legume, light brown, 2 to 4 inches
long; containing 4 to 8 kidney-shaped, smooth, red-
brown seeds, ripen in the fall.
Twig: Zigzag, somewhat stout and angular, red-brown
in color, numerous lighter lenticels. Paired spines at
each leaf scar (often absent on older or slow growing
twigs); buds are submerged beneath the leaf scar.
Bark: Gray or light brown, thick and fibrous, heavily
ridged and furrowed, resembles a woven rope.
Form: A medium sized tree to 70 feet, with a relatively
straight trunk and a crown of crooked branches. Often
forms thickets by root suckering.

10. Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)
Appears as single trees in the residential
subdivisions and watershed landscape. The tree
back appears to be peeling and elongated. Have
two in my yard! Cedars are great for starting a fire
in Africa.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/facts
heet.cfm?ID=34
Leaf: Evergreen, very small, with two types of
leaves (often on the same tree), scale-like leaves
1/16 inch long, dark green, with 4 sides held tightly
to twig and longer (1/4 inch), dark blue-green
needle-like leaves that are more common on
young trees and fast growing shoots.
Flower: Species is dioecious, but occasionally
monoecious; males are small, yellow-brown,
occurring in large groups; females are light blue-
green.
Fruit: Berry-like cones, light green in spring,
turning dark blue and glaucous at maturity, about
1/4 inch in diameter, appearing in spring and
maturing in the fall.
Twig: Green for several years, covered in scales,
later turning brown.
Bark: Red-brown in color, exfoliating in long,
fibrous strips, often ashy gray where exposed.
Form: A small tree with a dense ovoid or columnar
crown reaching up to 60 feet tall

11. Red maple (Acer rubrum)
Common in the watershed in managed and
unmanaged forests. Prevalent in subdivisions and give
bright fall colors transforming landscape scenery.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet
.cfm?ID=34
Leaf: Evergreen, very small, with two types of leaves
(often on the same tree), scale-like leaves 1/16 inch
long, dark green, with 4 sides held tightly to twig and
longer (1/4 inch), dark blue-green needle-like leaves
that are more common on young trees and fast
growing shoots.
Flower: Species is deciduous, but occasionally
minacious; males are small, yellow-brown, occurring in
large groups; females are light blue-green.
Fruit: Berry-like cones, light green in spring, turning
dark blue and glaucous at maturity, about 1/4 inch in
diameter, appearing in spring and maturing in the fall.
Twig: Green for several years, covered in scales, later
turning brown.
Bark: Red-brown in color, exfoliating in long, fibrous
strips, often ashy gray where exposed.
Form: A small tree with a dense ovoid or columnar
crown reaching up to 60 feet tall.

12. Black maple ( Acer nigrum)
Appears as single trees in the residential
subdivisions and watershed landscape. Distinct
seeds pod shape that look like wings.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/fact
sheet.cfm?ID=34
Leaf: Opposite, simple and palmately veined, 3 to
6 inches long, 3 (occasionally 5) lobed with entire
margin, often wilted-looking, large stipules may
be present, with pubescence on the underside.
Flower: Yellow to green, small, clustered,
hanging from a long (1 to 3 inch) stem, appearing
with the leaves.
Fruit: Two-winged horseshoe-shaped samaras
about 1 inch long, appearing in clusters, matures
in autumn.
Twig: Brown, slender to moderate and shiny with
lighter lenticels, may be gray pubescent,
especially near the terminal buds. Terminal buds
brown (may be pubescent), plump, and very
sharp pointed.
Bark: Variable, but generally dark gray-brown to
black; older trees may be furrowed with long,
thick, irregular ridges or scaly.
Form: Medium to tall tree (to 100 feet) with very
dense elliptical crown

13. Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus)
Common trees in the residential subdivisions
and watershed landscape.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/f
actsheet.cfm?ID=34
Leaf: Opposite, simple, 5 lobed, 5 to 6 inches
long and broad, palmately-veined, coarsely
serrate, heart-shaped base, dark green above
and considerably paler below.
Flower: Species is monoecious; yellow, in a 3
to 5 inch hanging cluster.
Fruit: Pair of samaras, spreading at about a
45 degree angle, each about 1 1/2 inch long,
mature in late summer to early fall.
Twig: Moderate to stout, glabrous, greenish
brown, leaf scars do not meet; buds are large
and broad, green, with large scales.
Bark: Gray-brown to red-brown, breaks up into
large scales that often exfoliate to reveal
orange.
Form: Medium sized tree (60 to 70 feet tall),
usually with a wide-spreading crown and short
trunk

14. River Birch ( Betula nigra)
Appears as single trees in the residential subdivisions and
watershed landscape. Bark colors and shape uniquely
identifiable in the watershed landscape.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?I
D=34
Leaf: Alternate, simple, pinnately-veined, rhombic to ovate, 1
1/2 to 3 inches long, conspicuously doubly serrate, with a
wedge-shaped base, green above, paler and fuzzy below.
Flower: Species is monoecious; preformed, reddish green,
male catkins near the end of the twig, 2 to 3 inches long;
female catkins upright, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, light green,
appear or elongate (males) in mid-spring.
Fruit: Cone-like, aggregate, 1 to 1 1/2 inches long, with
many hairy scales, reddish brown, containing many tiny, 3-
winged seeds, ripen and break apart in the fall.
Twig: Slender, orangish brown in color, smooth or slightly
pubescent, with the terminal bud absent. Lateral buds may
be slightly pubescent. No wintergreen odor when cut.
Bark: Smooth on young trees, salmon to rust colored;
developing papery scales, exfoliating horizontally with
several colors (creamy to orangish-brown) visible; later
developing coarse scales.
Form: Medium size tree reaching up to 70 feet tall. The trunk
generally divides low into several upright trunks.

15. Sweet birch (Betula lenta)
Appears as single trees in the residential
subdivisions and watershed landscape.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/facts
heet.cfm?ID=34
Leaf: Alternate, simple, pinnately-veined, ovate,
with an acute tip and cordate base, singly or
irregularly doubly, sharply serrate margins, 2 to 4
inches long, petiole is stout and pubescent, dark
shiny green above, paler below.
Flower: Species is minacious; preformed, green
male catkins near the end of the twig, 3/4 to 1 inch
long; females are upright, 1/2 to 3/4 inch long,
green tinged in red, appear or elongate (males) in
mid-spring.
Fruit: Cone-like aggregate, brown, 1 to 1 1/2
inches long, scales hairless or nearly so,
containing very small 2-winged nutlets, ripen and
break apart in late summer and fall.
Twig: Twigs are slender, reddish brown and
lenticellate with a wintergreen smell when cut. On
older trees, spur shoots are apparent. Terminal
buds are absent, lateral buds two toned, green and
brown.
Bark: Reddish brown to black on young trees, later
gray to nearly black; eventually breaking up into
large, thin, irregular, scaly plates.
Form: A medium sized tree with a single straight
trunk reaching up to 60 feet tall

16. Hazel alder (Alnus serrulata)
Appears as single trees in the watershed riparian
areas as bushy tree clusters.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/fact
sheet.cfm?ID=34
Leaf: Alternate, simple, obovate to elliptical, 2 to
4 inches long, pinnately-veined, finely serrated
wavy margin, dark green above, paler and finely
hairy beneath.
Flower: Species is minacious; both males and
females preformed; males green brown catkins, 1
to 1 1/2 inches; female 1/2 inch long, reddish,
opening in early spring.
Fruit: Woody, cone like catkin, 1/2 inch long, dark
brown with each scale enclosing a tiny, winged
seed. Fruit ripens in fall and is very persistent.
Twig: Reddish brown with gray fuzz, 3-angled
pith; buds are stalked, plump, covered in 2 to 3
red-purple scales, resemble a match head.
Bark: Thin, gray to brown and smooth, trunk
fluted.
Form: A multi-stemmed small tree or large shrub
with several twisted stems reaching up to 15 feet
tall.

17. Butternut hickory (Carya cordiformis)
Appears as single trees in the residential subdivisions and
watershed landscape.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cf
m?ID=34
Leaf: Alternate, pinnately compound, 7 to 10 inches long,
with 7 to 11 leaflets, leaflets are lanceolate and serrate,
rachis is slender and pubescent, dark green above, paler
below.
Flower: Species is monacious; males are yellow-green,
drooping catkins with 3 hanging from one stalk, 3 to 4
inches long; females are short, 4-angled, on a terminal
spike, appearing in spring.
Fruit: Nearly globose but slightly flattened, 1 inch long,
partially dehiscent from the middle to the sharp-pointed
tip; husk is thin and 4-winged above the middle, often
dusty-yellow looking; maturing in fall.
Twig: Moderately stout to slender (when compared to
other hickories), leaf scars are 3-lobed; terminal bud is
valvate, 4-angled and sulfur-yellow to brown in color.
Bark: Thin, tight and hard; initially smooth and silvery
gray, much later gray with shallow furrows and interlacing
ridges.
Form: A medium to large tree capable of reaching over
100 feet tall with an open, rounded top.

18. Red hickory (Carya ovalis)
Appears as single trees in the residential subdivisions
and watershed landscape. The bark is uniquely ridged
and rough.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cf
m?ID=34
Leaf: Alternate, pinnately compound, 8 to 12 inches long, with
5 or 9 leaflets (most often 7), leaflets are lanceolate and finely
serrate, green above and below, rachis is slender and may be
pubescent or glabrous, often red.
Flower: Species is minacious; males are drooping catkins, with
three hanging from one stalk, 2 to 3 inches long; females are
short and found in clusters at the end of the branches,
appearing in mid-spring.
Fruit: Nearly globose, 1 to 1 1/2 inches, with a thin husk that
mostly splits to base upon maturation, nut is not ribbed and the
seed is usually sweet, matures in early fall.
Twig: Moderately stout to slender (when compared to the other
hickories) and glabrous; leaf scars are 3-lobed to cordate - best
described as a "monkey face"; terminal bud is small and light
brown in color.
Bark: The bark on young trees is smooth, soon becoming finely
shaggy, later developing obvious close interlacing shaggy-
topped ridges.
Form: A medium sized tree with a rounded crown and a
straight trunk, reaching up to 80 feet tall.

19. White ash (Fraxinus americana)
Appears as single trees in the residential subdivisions and
watershed landscape.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID
=34
Leaf: Opposite, pinnately compound with 7 serrate to entire
leaflets that are ovate to somewhat lanceolate, 8 to 12 inches
long, essentially hairless, green above and slightly paler
below.
Flower: Species is deciduous; light green to purplish, both
sexes lacking petals, females occurring in loose panicles,
males in tighter clusters, appear after the leaves unfold.
Fruit: A one-winged, dry, flattened samara with a full,
rounded, seed cavity, maturing in fall and dispersing over
winter.
Twig: Stout, gray-olive-green, hairless, leaf scars round at the
bottom, notched at the top, with lateral buds in the notch;
terminal bud is large, brown, with leathery scales and flanked
by two lateral buds.
Bark: Ashy gray to brown in color, with interlacing corky ridges
forming obvious diamonds; older trees may be scaly.
Form: A large tree up to 80 feet tall that typically develops a
straight, clear bole (particularly on good sites), usually with a
narrow oblong crown.

20. Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
Appears as single trees in the residential subdivisions and
watershed landscape.
Description from
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm
?ID=34
Leaf: Alternate, pinnately compound, 5 to 8 inches long, with 15
to 30 leaflets or bipinnately compound with 4 to 7 pairs of minor
leaflets. Leaflets are 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long, ovate to elliptical in
shape, green to yellow-green.
Flower: Small, greenish yellow, displayed on 2 to 3 inch long
narrow, hanging clusters, not showy, but very fragrant, appearing
in late spring and early summer.
Fruit: A very distinctive, 6 to 8 inches long, flattened, red-brown,
leathery pod that becomes dry and twisted; pod contains many
oval, dark brown, shiny seeds, 1/3 inch long, maturing in late
summer and early fall.
Twig: May be either stout or slender, prominently zig-zag, red-
brown to light brown in color, numerous lenticels and branched
thorns. Lateral buds are very small and sunken.
Bark: Initially, gray-brown to bronze, and smooth with many
horizontal lenticels, later breaking into long, narrow, curling
plates. Often displaying clusters of large, branched thorns on
trunk.
Form: A medium size tree with a typically short bole and an airy,
spreading crown, reaches up to 80 feet tall.