Amherst College: 206 - Flora

Identify the Trees Around You

avenne — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 19:54:14 +0000

Identify the Trees Around You Alfred J. Venne Tuesday, 6/29/2021, at 3:54 PM

In these woods and along nearby forest edges one can find species of trees – butternut, beech, hickory, and the shrub choke cherry– that have populated central Massachusetts since the end of the most recent ice age.

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)

avenne — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 20:02:30 +0000

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) Alfred J. Venne Wednesday, 6/30/2021, at 4:02 PM

Chokecherries have oval, serrated leaves. The bark of the shrub is dark and smooth. The berries mature in late summer and are edible, but be sure to avoid the pit. It is also best to avoid eating a wild plant unless completely sure of its identity.

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Hickory (Carya)

avenne — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 20:00:18 +0000

Hickory (Carya) Alfred J. Venne Wednesday, 6/30/2021, at 4:00 PM

Hickory is a genus of about 18 different tree species. They can be identified by their oppositional leaves, which means the leaves point in opposite directions but originate from the same point on the stem. One leaf protrudes straight out from the end of the branch. There can be 5 to 17 leaves on one stalk. Hickory bark has deep vertical furrows, and shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) has tough bark that peels off the trunk.

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Butternut (Juglans cinerea)

avenne — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 19:56:01 +0000

Butternut (Juglans cinerea) Alfred J. Venne Wednesday, 6/30/2021, at 3:56 PM

Butternut is also known as the white walnut. Their nuts were collected and eaten by Native Americans and early colonists across the northeastern United States. Its nut is lemon-shaped and comes in bunches of two to six. They are green until they mature in mid autumn.

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Beech (Fagus)

avenne — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 19:58:28 +0000

Beech (Fagus) Alfred J. Venne Wednesday, 6/30/2021, at 3:58 PM

Beech describes a genus of trees with native species in North America, Europe, and Asia. Its leaves are ovular with straight, parallel veins running from the center of the leaf to the outer edge. The bark is smooth and grey.

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avenne — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 20:04:32 +0000

Alfred J. Venne Wednesday, 6/30/2021, at 4:04 PM

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Wednesday, 6/30/2021, at 12:00 PM