Green Timbers Arboretum and Nursery

Name of Tree

(Order Family Genus species); Native Area
Description

American Chestnut (Fagales Fagaceae Castanea dentata); Southeastern North America
This is a threatened species in both the United States and Canada. Currently, it is a Schedule 2; but it is expected to be upgraded to a Schedule 1 through SARA (the Species At Risk Act). In 1904, an Asian blight was found on American chestnut trees in New York City. This exotic disease was accidentally imported, but quickly spread across the country and all but wiped out the species. The disease starts as a canker which enlarges until it surrounds the whole trunk of the tree. This prevents vascular circulation between the roots and the branches, causing the crown of the tree to die. Most of the American chestnut trees are now on land belonging to such public agencies as conservation authorities. Several of these sites are protected through forestry management agreements which forbid cutting them down. The following is a site which gives the history of its near extinction in North America. http://www2.vscc.cc.tn.us/jschibig/resurrectingthechestnut.htm

American Elm (Urticales Ulmaceae Ulmus americana pendula); Eastern North America
The American elm used to be one of North America’s most dominant trees until the Dutch elm disease destroyed many of them. The disease is fungal and transmitted by bark beetles and/or by the roots that can graft with adjoining trees. Therefore, isolating these trees from others is the first line of defence. The elm bark beetle spreads the disease by feeding on a diseased tree and, then, moves on to another. The fungus plugs the vascular system of the tree by preventing the flow of water and nutrients, which slowly kills the tree. Young trees, however, are immune to this disease until they reach their reproductive age. The American elm is one of the first trees to flower. Beginning during the warm days in January or February, the floral bud clusters begin to swell until they are fully open by mid-March. Edible fungi, as oyster mushrooms, sometimes grow on the trunks.

Balsam Poplar (Salicales Salicaceae Populus balsamifera x berolinensis; Central and Southern Europe
The balsam poplar can reach a height of 100 feet, with a trunk diameter of six feet. A subspecies is the black cottonwood. The two are sometimes confused with each other. Where their ranges overlap, they are often hybridized. The balsam receives its name from the fragrant resin found in the sticky buds. Bees use this resin as a caulking material in their hives. It also produces a chemical in the young twigs that prevents the snowshoe rabbit from feeding on them. This tree also has a long history of medicinal uses.

Bigleaf Maple (Sapindales Aceraceae Acer macrophyllum); Western North America
The bigleaf maple leaf is the one depicted on the Canadian flag. Both the common and scientific names describe its very large leaves that can measure up to two feet (60 cm) in width and a foot long. The leaves generally have five lobes (sometimes three) and are attached to a long stalk that exudes a milky sap when bruised. The trees can reach heights of over 100 feet and live an average of 250 years.

Bitternut Hickory (Juglandales Juglandaceae Carya cordiformis); Southeastern North America
As the name implies, the nuts from this tree are too bitter for human consumption, but squirrels love them. A member of the Walnut family, it is related to other hickories and walnuts, and reaches a height of 60 feet. As with all hickories, the bitternut also constantly rains depris, making it an unwise choice for urban settings. The most distinctive feature of the bitternut is its sulfur-yellow buds. The bark is the smoothest of the hickories, but still develops a sinewy look that can cause some to identify it mistakenly as an ash.

Black Hawthorn (Rosales Rosaceae Crataegus douglasii); Western North America
The word “hawthorn” comes from the Anglo-Saxon “haguthorn”, which means “fence with thorns”. This proves to be a useful feature for farmers to pen in their livestock and makes an impenetrable home for many birds and small animals. Another feature that lends itself to its name is the small apple-like fruits called “haws” that come in clusters of yellow, red, or blackish. These fruits are very seedy, but sweet, and perfectly edible. However, they do wither very quickly when ripe. This large shrub can grow to about 20 feet in height. It is often found in forests, but it can grow in the open in pure thickets.

Black Locust (Fagales Fabaceae Robinia pseudacacia); Southeastern North America
The black locust is a shrubby tree belonging to the Legume family. It has paired spines along the branches and can reach heights of 80 feet. It has an aggressive growth pattern and not easily removed once established. Although it produces ample seeds, a thick coating on them hinders consistent germination. The plant typically reproduces by root suckering and stump sprouting. What is worse, any damage to the roots or stems – as mowing or chopping them down – will stimulate vigorous sprouting. Burning will also stimulate growth spurts. Using herbacides is out since its extensive root system spreads the chemicals over large areas.

Box Elder (Sapindales Aceraceae Acer negundo); Eastern North America
A member of the Maple family, the box elder is similar to poison ivy, but it is no relation nor is it poisonous. It does yield an inferior type of maple syrup that is sometimes referred to as “mountain molasses”. The scientific name “negundo” is taken from the native Sanskrit and Bengali word “nirgundi”, the specific name of the plant Vitex negundo, but given to the box elder since it has similar leaves.

Butternut (Juglandales Juglandaceae Juglans cinerea); Southeastern North America
Also known as a white walnut, the butternut is found mainly in the eastern part of North America from southern New Brunswick into Arkansas and as far west as Ontario down into Minnesota. However, there are smatterings found elsewhere. The butternut has not been a common tree, and its ranges are declining even further. It can reach heights of 60 to 80 feet with a three-foot diameter. It is distinguished from the black walnut by the velvet collars just above scars left by the previous year’s leaves. Butternut seeds are quite edible, but oily.

Cappadocian Maple (Sapindales Aceraceae Acer cappadocium); Western Asia to the Himalayas
The range of this tree extends from its native area of the Caucasus Mountains through the Himalayas and into China. The leaves have the distinctive five-lobe formation, but vary in that each lobe is broad-based and ends in a fine point. In the fall, the glossy leaves turn to a butter-yellow colour. Another feature is that it suckers from the roots and, in a short period of time, can develop into a thicket.

Cascara (Rhamnales Rhamnaceae Rhamnus purshiana); Western North America
Bark of the cascara, a member of the Buckthorn family, has been used for centuries as a laxative. Its native habitat is usually on the sides and bottoms of canyons from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. This shrubby tree can reach a height of 30 feet. The distinctive bark is thin, smooth, and silver-grey. The leaves are egg-shaped and about five inches long. They turn yellow in the fall; but, in the spring, the young leaves and buds are a coppery colour. Clusters of up to 50 flowers eventually produce blackish purple berries. These berries are edible, but not enjoyable because of the three stoney seeds in each one.

Common Box (Euphorbiales (Buxaceae Buxus sempervirens; Southern Europe and North Africa
The box is a shrubby tree that has traditionally been used for hedges, in formal gardens, and in topiary work (plants that can be shaped in attractive artwork, usually of animals or birds) because of its dense, small-leaved characteristic. In Latin, “sempervirens” means always green; therefore, the box’s dark green leaves stay the same lustrous green in all seasons. However, new growth is very sensitive to late spring frosts.

Common Horse Chestnut (Sapindales Hippocastanaceae Aesculus hippocastanium); Balkans
Although long thought to be native to the northern and central parts of Asia (Tibet mainly), it is now believed to be indigenous to the mountains of northern Greece, where it occurs wild at 3000 to 4000 ft. above sea-level. Today, the tree is found in many countries of the world, particularly in mountain settings. How it received its name is not definite, but there is some interesting speculation. It is not related to the sweet chestnut; but it may have acquired the similarity because of its nuts, which do bear a good resemblance. The nuts, however, are poisonous. The “horse” attachment is thought to be the result of the inhabitants of Constantinople who used it to bring relief to “short-winded” horses and the coughs of cattle.

Douglas Maple (Sapindales Aceraceae Acer glabrum douglasii); Western North America
The Latin word “acer” means maple tree;and “glabrum” means smooth, likely describing the hairless leaves and fruits. There are many kinds of maple tree, and most are quite large. However, the Douglas maple is a small tree, growing only to about twenty feet in height. The leaves turn a lovely dark shade of red in the autumn.

Durmast Oak (Fagales Fagaceae Quercus petraea); Southern Europe
Also known as the sessile oak, the durmast differs from the common oak in that its leaves do not have the typical backward-pointing lobes at the base. Also, it is less spreading and shorter. Stalks to the leaf, but none to the acorn, are notable on the durmast, but not on the common oak. The tree grows slowly as a seedling up to about 200 years, but then take off from there, often reaching 150 feet and living to 1000 years or more.

English Oak (Fagales Fagaceae Quercus rubur purpurescens); Europe
The English oak is but one of the more than 500 species of oak and so named because it is a major component of the original forests of England. It was brought to the American colonies in the 17th century. In the wild, it can reach a height of 140 feet with a spread of 80 feet or more. Unfortunately, it is notorious for developing a powdery mildew -- the same kind often seen on lilacs and roses -- on its leaves late in the summer. Although a cosmetic eyesore, the mildew does not have a long-term impact on the health of the tree.

European Beech (Fagales Fagaceae Fagus sylvatica); Europe
The cultivated European beech is easier to grow than the American beech; and, as a result, it is becoming a popular ornamental tree. An important hardwood, the European beech is slow to leaf out in the spring and dislikes the heat of the summers. Although slow-growing, it can reach a height of 60 feet with a spread of 45 feet. The leaves are a glossy green, and the nuts are edible.

European Hornbeam (Fagales Corylaceae Carpinus betulus); Europe
The European hornbeam is said to be one of the finest landscape trees and often used in urban settings for groupings, hedges, or screens. The dark green elm-like leaves change to yellow in the fall. It is also used medicinally to treat some forms of allergies. It is sometimes called musselwood because the trunk looks like groupings of “mussels”.

European Linden (Malvales Tiliaceae Tilia x europea); Europe
Although the European linden is also known as the common lime, it is not related to the citrus. The tree commonly grows on limestone cliffs, as well asin damp wooded areas. A natural hybrid between the large-leaved and small-leaved lindens, it can grow to more than 150 feet. All parts of the tree have been used medicinally.

European Mountain Ash (Rosales Rosaceae Sorbus aucuparia); Europe
Native to Europe and western Asia, this tree is a member of the Rose family. Since it is not a true ash (Fraxinus), its name is written as mountainash or mountain-ash. It is a landscape ornamental favorite with bright red berry clusters that appeal to birds long into the winter. The fruit is also edible for humans or made into medicinal remedies.

Fullmoon Maple (Sapindales Aceraceae Acer japonicum); Japan
Although the full moon maple is a very slow-growing ornamental tree and a favorite with bonsai collectors, the tree can reach heights of 25 feet. Its leaves have seven to eleven lobes that can be almost round in some forms and, thus, the reason for its name. The purplish-red flowers turn into reddish winged fruits. In the fall, the leaves turn into spectacular colours that range from a bright red to oranges and yellows.

Hedge Maple (Sapindales Aceraceae Acer campestre); Europe
Although considered to be a small to medium-sized tree and a favourite for bonsai collectors, it can grow to 100 feet. Because of its dense foliage, it is also a favourite for hedges, thus its name. Since maples have distinctly lobed leaves, the hedge maple differs only in that it has three to five lobes with rounded edges instead of points, and the winged seeds are “spread-eagled” instead of v-shaped.

Japanese Walnut (Juglandales Juglandaceae Juglans ailanthifolia); Japan
The Japanese walnut is similar to the butternut, except that its leaves are much larger and the nuts are round. As with any walnut, since the bark and seeds husks are rich in tannin, a brown dye has long been extracted for a variety of uses. Edible oil is obtained from the seed, but tends to go rancid quickly. The roots of the walnut trees produce toxic substances to many other plant species, preventing their growth. Therefore, few plants grow in the vicinity of walnut trees.

Large-toothed Aspen (Salicales Salicaceae Populus grandidentata; Eastern North America
A member of the Willow family, the large-toothed aspen received its name from the prominent “teeth” on its leaves. Although a short-lived tree, it does grow rapidly, especially during the first thirty years. Medicinally, all of the Populus species contain varying amounts of salicin and populin, relatives and precursors of aspirin; and all parts of the tree were used for various remedies.

Little-leaf Linden (Malvales Tiliaceae Tilia cordata); Europe
As its name suggests, the tree has smaller leaves than other lindens. The species name cordata means heart-shaped. The tree can reach 70 feet and displays pendulous clusters of greenish-yellow flowers. These fragrant flowers attract honeybees and other insects. After the flowers have finished, the tree bears small nutlets that hang on long stems beneath large, leafy wings. Similar in appearance to the American linden, the little-leaf linden is distinguished only by its smaller leaves, fruits, and flowers.

London Planetree (Hamamelidales Platanaceae Platanus x acerifolia); Central and Southern Europe
The London planetree is a cross between the American sycamore and the Oriental planetree of southeastern Europe and Asia Minor. It is thought that this species resulted from cross-pollination when John Tradescant, gardener to Charles I of England, planted an American sycamore in his personal garden from seed acquired in Virginia in 1637. The common name came as a result of extensive use made of the tree in London, England, and is now thought to be one of the world’s most reliable urban trees because of its remarkable resistance to pollution. The most striking feature is its flaking bark that peels to reveal a lighter coloured bark underneath. Both the bark and the leaves continually drop off, causing annoying litter.

Northern Red Oak (Fagales Fagaceae Quercus rubra); Eastern North America
The northern red oak was named for obvious reasons since it is found only in the northeastern part of the continent, but not in the deep south. The fall leaf colours can be a brilliant red, and the wood tinged a soft reddish color. The tree is fast-growing and can reach 100 feet in height with growth rates of up to two feet per year. The acorns have long been a favourite of animals and Native Americans as a source of protein, fat and starch. Unlike chestnuts and white oak, red oak acorns can be stored for the winter because of their high tannin content. Tannins are removed by three methods: leeching in hot water (crushed acorns) or in streams over long periods of time (whole or cracked acorns), or they were buried in the ground (whole acorns – the method used by squirrels!). When acorn caps and the bark were ground together with water containing soluble iron (e.g., water containing rusty nails), galls produced a black suspension which was concentrated into ink. Galls are growths found on the trees as a result of an interaction between insects (mainly wasps) and the oaks. This black liquid was also used to dye fabric because without the addition of iron, the result was a brown dye.

Norway Maple (Sapindales Aceraceae Acer platanoides); Europe
Today, the Norway maple is considered to be an invasive plant in many places in North America. However, its popular very dark, red foliage makes it a desirable landscaping tree; but it easily escapes cultivation to populate forests, fields, and other natural habitats. In Europe it has similar uses as the sugar maple does in North America. The tree can be distinguished from native maples by the milky white sap that oozes out of leaf veins and stalks when broken. The wood is considered to be excellent for making musical instrument soundboards. In fact, the fiddlebacks of the infamous violins built Antonio Stradivarius (1644-1737) are rumoured to be made of Norway maple

Ohio Buckeye (Sapindales Hippocastanaceae Aesculus glabra); Southeastern North America
As its name might suggest, this member of the Horsechestnut family is the state tree of Ohio. Native to the midwestern and Great Plains states, the Ohio buckeye can reach a height of 60 feet. It is most easily recognized by its compound leaves, composed of 5-7 leaflets openly arranged like fingers on a hand. Clusters of small, pale yellow flowers appear at the ends of the branches. The bark produces a yellow dye that was used to tan leather. Its seeds were a source of oil for lamps and also used as an insecticide or bookbinder’s paste. The lightweight wood was once used in the production of artificial limbs.

Pacific Dogwood (Cornales Cornaceae Cornus nutallii); Western North America
The Pacific dogwood is the floral emblem for the province of British Columbia. In 1956, a law was passed that prohibited any part of the tree from being dug up or cut down. The species name nuttallii was given in honour of the botanist Thomas Nuttall (1798-1859), a British-born botanist and ornithologist. Since the hard wood of the tree was historically used by the First Nations people for wooden handles, hooks, and skewers called 'dags', its name naturally evolved into dogwood. Each flower has four to six white 'petals' with a notch at the top of each formed from the notch on the purplish bud before the flower forms. The center of each large flower is actually a cluster of 20-30 tiny green flowerets

Red Buckeye (Sapindales Hippocastanaceae Aesculus pavia); Southeastern North America
The red buckeye is a member of the horsechestnut family and found mainly in the southeastern part of the US. A relatively short tree, it can reach a height of 20 feet. It is distinguished by the upright clusters of dark-red tubular flowers, with each cluster ranging in length from four to ten inches long. The fruit appears in a smooth husk containing one to three shiny reddish-brown nuts. Although these look very much like chestnuts, they are poisonous!

Red Horse Chestnut (Sapindales Hippocastanaceae Aesculus x carnea); Europe
This tree is a hybrid formed from a union between the common horsechestnut and the red buckeye. Although called a chestnut, its fruits should never be confused with the edible chestnuts. All horsechestnuts have toxic seeds, flowers, and leaves; and, although quite showy, this is why they do not make good trees for urban settings. The long, reddish flower-clusters are quite showy in the spring.

Red Maple (Sapindales Aceraceae Acer rubrum); Eastern North America
Although the red maple is sometimes referred to as the swamp maple because of its liking for boggy soils, the tree can tolerate drier soils just as well. A medium-sized tree, it can reach a height of 60 feet. Its distinguishing features are the pendulous clusters of small red flowers that appear in late winter to early spring. Fall colours range from bright yellow to orange to red, with most cultivars being various shades of red. In the early days, pioneers made ink and cinnamon-brown and black dyes from the bark extract.

Ringleaf Willow (Salicales Salicaceae Salix babylonica crispa); China
The ringleaf willow is very much like a normal weeping willow, except that its long, narrow leaves twist and curl up tightly around the stems so that the rings look very much like a ram’s horn. It grows relatively quickly, reaching a height of up to 50 fee,t but it does require full sun and wet conditions.

Royal Paulownia (Scrophulariales Scrophulariaceae Paulowania tomentosa); China, Europe, and North Africa
The royal paulownia was named after Anna Paulownia, a Russian princess and daughter of Czar Paul I. The species name tomentosa” refers to the hairy leaves. The history of this tree is particularly interesting. It was mentioned in one of the world’s oldest natural history encyclopedias of the third century BCE. An entire manuscript, dated 1049, was devoted exclusively to it because it was the most popular cultivated species of that time. The ancient Chinese attached great importance to the tree,as did the Japanese, who harvested the tree to extinction. In Japan, when a girl was born, a paulownia tree was planted; and when she was ready to marry, a wedding chest was built from that tree. The royal paulownia is now considered to be an invasive plant in many countries because it grows extremely fast. Although it is very difficult to propogate, it readily establishes itself in abandoned parking lots and other exhausted soils, including the reclamation of strip mines. The heart-shaped leaves can be as large as a foot long and almost as wide. The large, vanilla-scented flowers, often about ten inches long, are very showy and develop into clusters of upright tubes of purple in late spring. The white wood is unusual in that it is soft enough when first felled to be worked with a knife; but when it fully dries out, it becomes hard and durable.

Shellbark Hickory (Juglandales Juglandaceae Carya laciniosa); Southeastern North America
The Shellbark Hickory is native to the Ohio and Mississippi valley region and, depending on the area, the tree is either threatened or endangered. It is a slow-growing tree and difficult to transplant because of its deep taproot. It is sometimes known as the big shagbark because, as the tree matures, the light gray bark separates into long, shaggy strips. The tree is long-lived and can reach a height of 120 feet with a large trunk diameter. The pendulous male flowers are a yellow-green, while the female flowers are short clusters that develop at the end of the branches. Shellbark hickory nuts are the largest of all the hickories, and are found in thick hard shells. The kernels are oily but sweet and relished by both people and wildlife. It was once one of the most important hickories for its wood, but has been overharvested in many areas.

Silver Maple (Sapindales Aceraceae Acer saccharinum); Eastern North America
The silver maple gained its name from the leaves, which are pale green on top but underneath have a silvery colour. Typical of maples, the leaves do turn yellow or red in the fall. It is a medium-sized tree which can reach a height of 80 feet or more. As the tree matures, the silvery bark breaks off into long scaly plates.

Sweet Mockorange (Cunoniales Philadelphaceae [Hydrangaceae] Philadelphus coronarus); Southeastern Europe and Asia Minor
The sweet mockorange is also known as the English dogwood. It may have received its name from its fragrant white flowers that resemble those of some mock orange trees. The bloom period is quite short, lasting only a week to ten days. The leaves remain green and do not change colour in the fall.

Thornless Honeylocust (Fagales Fabaceae Gleditsia triacanthos inermi); Southeastern North America
The first scientific observations of the thornless honeylocust, a member of the pea family, were made in 1700. Although its name indicates a complete lack of thorns, it does often have a few. Interestingly, most trees sold as "thornless honeylocusts" are not bred from any separate stock of plants. Instead, growers take cuttings from the upper, thornless branches of regular honeylocusts to produce thornless trees – the reason why some thorns still develop. In the south, it is still sometimes referred to as the Confederate pintree because the thorns were used to pin uniforms together during the Civil War. The tree actually was named for the sweet, honey-like substance found in its pods. The reddish-brown pods are twisted and can be eight inches long. The seeds inside the pod look like beans. They were sometimes roasted and used as a coffee substitute. A fast-growing tree, it can grow as much as two feet per year over a ten-year period.

Tulip Tree (Magnoliales Magnoliaceae Liriodendron tulipfera); Southeastern North America
The tulip tree is a member of the Magnolia family and the official state tree of several US states. As its name suggests, the tree produces showy, greenish-yellow, tulip-shaped flowers. A fast-growing and long-lived tree, it can reacha height of over 100 feet and live for 150 years. There are records of tulip trees reaching more than 200 feet, but these likely do not exist anymore since loggers have long ago taken such specimens.

Weeping Cut-leaf Birch (Fagales Betulaceae Betula pendula dalecurfica); Europe
Sometimes called the silver birch, the weeping cutleaf has pendulous branches which give it its name. It has, however, smoother bark than most silver birches, but still has the distinctive white colour. A fast-growing tree, it can soon reach a height of 70 feet or more.

Weeping White Mulberry (Urticales Moraceae Morus alba pendula); China
Although this shrubby tree is considered to be an invasive “weed” in many areas, it can be trained to make a pleasing ornamental – except for the berries that create a mess when they fall off the tree. The berries are similar in shape and size to a long blackberry and are typically a mix of white, pink, red, and purple. Birds love them, as do humans and in China. The plant was used to raise silkworms.

White Ash (Gentianales Oleaceae Fraxinus americana); Eastern North America
Interestingly, the white ash is a member of the Olive family and the largest of the sixteen North American ash species. In the past, it could reach a height of 120 feet, but those have disappeared and have been replaced with farmland. Today, they seldom grow to more than 60 feet. The leaves are thin and papery, dark green above and pale beneath, a feature that contributed to the name. In the fall they turn various shades of yellow with an overlay of reds or purple. The flowers hang in clusters and are not very showy.

Whitebeam Mountain Ash (Rosales Rosaceae Sorbus aria); Europe
The whitebeam is a member of the Rose family. The new leaves are a silvery colour with a white down, but turn a very bright green above and white underneath as they mature. Clusters of white flowers appear in late spring, followed by clusters of dark red berry-like fruits in the fall

Yellow Birch (Fagales Betulaceae Betula allegha niensis); Eastern North America
The yellow birch is the most valuable of the native birches and easily recognized by the yellowish-bronze bark for which it is named. The inner bark is aromatic and has a flavour of wintergreen, as do the leaves when they are crushed. The tree is slow-growing; but, if left alone, it can live to be over 300 years of age. The average lifespan, however, is about 150 years. About half of all the growing stock is in Quebec.