Dendrology tour: Waldo county, Maine Preview

1

Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)

This tree can be found along the Cob's way path in the Kanokolus bog preserve in Unity, ME. Yellow birch, or Betula alleghaniensis can grow up to 70-85 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter. It is the largest birch native to Maine. Bark is a shiny silver-grey and is arranged horizontally in thin layers. Leaves are 3-4.5 inches long and are alternately arranged. Flowers are in catkins and open in the early spring. I chose to include this tree due to its unique bark. It also stood out from the surrounding trees that included many fir and pine species.

2

Paper birch (Betula Papyrifera)

This tree can be found along the Cob's way path in the Kanokolus bog preserve in Unity, ME. The paper, white, or canoe birch can grow up to 60-70 feet in height and 1-2 feet in diameter. It grows best along streams and the border of ponds or swamps where there is rich, moist soils. The bark is a protective layer of thin papery sheets that re white on the outside and have an orange tone on the inside. Leaves are 2-4 inches long and are alternately arranged. I have included this tree as, like the yellow birch, it stood out due to it's unique bark as well as it's white color which contrasted the surrounding trees.

3

White cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)

This tree can be found along the Cob's way path in the Kanokolus bog preserve in Unity, ME. White cedar, also known as the swamp white cedar, can grow up to 75 feet tall. The bark forms thick vertical spirals and is a dark grey or reddish-brown. Leaves are bluish green and scale-like. Cones are round and small and grow to about ¼ inch in diameter. The white cedar grows best in swampy environments with moist soils. I chose to include this tree as its unique bark drew my attention.

4

Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

This tree can be found along the Cob's way path in the Kanokolus bog preserve in Unity, ME. This tree can be found along the Cob's way path in the Kanokolus bog preserve in Unity, ME. Red Osier Dogwood is woody shrub common over the state of Maine. It can grow up to 10 feet high. Leaves are opposite and entire and are typically 2-4 inches long. They are whitened underneath and have 5-7 lateral veins. It grows best in wet soils on the edge of streams and fields. I chose to include this shrub due to the bright red color of the bark that stood out to me as unique.

5

Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)

This tree can be found along the Cob's way path in the Kanokolus bog preserve in Unity, ME. The Eastern White Pine grows 70-80 feet high, although many in the open can grow up to 100 feet. It has a diameter of 1-3 feet. The bark on old trees is very thick and dark, while the bark on young trees is thin and light with a tint of reddish-brown. Leaves are in clusters of five needles and are 2-3 inches long. Cones are 3-4 inches long and take two years to mature. They release seeds in early fall of the second year. The Eastern White Pine is the official tree of the state of Maine. I chose to include this tree due to its uniqueness as the only pine tree in Maine with needles in clusters of five, as well as for how common it was throughout this area and other areas around Waldo county.

6

Multiflora rose (rosa multiflora)

This tree can be found along the Cob's way path in the Kanokolus bog preserve in Unity, ME. The multiflora rose, or rambler rose, is a woody shrub that can grow up to 10-15 feet in height. Leaves are compound and toothed and are typically 2-4 inches long. It is an invasive species that was brough from Japan to the U.S. in the late 1880s. It has become established most commonly in fields and meadows, along rivers and lakes, and shrublands. I chose to include this shrub as the bright red buds stood out to me. It was also quite invasive to the area it was in and it was interesting to see it wrap itself around the other shrubs.

7

Grey alder (alnus incana)

This tree can be found along the Cob's way path in the Kanokolus bog preserve in Unity, ME. Alnus incana typically occurs as a large shrub, growing up to 20 feet in height and 4 inches in diameter. The bark is a smooth dark brown and leaves are alternately arranged. Leaves are typically 2-3 inches long and are doubly or unevenly toothed. The wood is light and soft and is not commonly used for commercial use. Alnus incana grows best in wet areas and along brooks or swamps. I chose to include this tree as the vibrant dark green color of the leaves particularly stood out to me.

8

Common blackberry (Rubus argutus)

This tree can be found along the Cob's way path in the Kanokolus bog preserve in Unity, ME. The common blackberry is a woody shrub that can grow up to 2-6 feet high. Leaves are compound and toothed. They are a dark green and either fall of in winter or wither. Twigs are typically brown or red in color. They occur in a variety of habitats including forests, meadows, fields, and cliffs. I chose to include this shrub as it was quite prevelant in several areas as well as for the wonderful berries that can be enjoyed during the summer!

9

Lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)

This shrub can be found along the Cob's way path in the Kanokolus bog preserve in Unity, ME. Vaccinium angustifolium is a deciduous shrub native to Maine and is the Maine state fruit. The leaves are simple and dark green in summer and a reddish bronze in the fall. They are alternately arranged. The bark is reddish in color and a single bud can produce several blossoms. The Vaccinium angustifolium prefers acidic, well-drained soil and grows best in partial to full sun. I chose to include this woody shrub as it is very common throughout Maine and produces wonderful blueberries in the summer!

10

Beach plum (Prunus maritima)

This shrub can be found along the Cob's way path in the Kanokolus bog preserve in Unity, ME. Prunus maritima is a woody shrub that can grow up to 12 feet, although it does not grow quite that large in Maine. Leaves are finely toothed and have fine hairs on the underside. They are most commonly found in sandy soils or near the coast. The beach plum is considered to be endangered in the state of Maine as the best suitable habitat is quite scarce. I chose to include this shrub as the pattern of the white pores on the reddish-brown bark stood out to me.

11

Green Osier Dogwood (Swida alternifolia)

This shrub can be found along the Cob's way path in the Kanokolus bog preserve in Unity, ME. Swida alternifolia, previously known as Cornus alternifolia, is a large shrub or small tree that can grow up to 25-30 feet. Leaves are simple, entire and alternately arranged. In winter, the bark can be brown, green, yellow, or purple. The bark is thin and smooth and can have plates or ridges. It grows best in rich soils in forest habitats. I chose to include this tree as the bright yellow of the bark stood out to me as unique.

12

Quaking aspen (populous tremuloides)

This tree can be found along a small deer trail behind several homes in Burnham, ME. The Quaking Aspen grows to a height of 60-75 feet and a diameter of 10-16 inches. The bark is smooth and pale green with dark brown patches. Older trees have a darker grey bark. Leaves are alternately arranged with a round shape and are about an inch and a half. The quaking aspen grows best on sandy, moist soils and is very intolerant to shade. I chose to include this tree as it was quite common throughout the several trails and the bright color of the foliage drew my attention.

13

Morrow's honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii)

This shrub can be found along a small deer trail behind several homes in Burnham, ME.Lonicera morrowii is a woody shrub that can grow up to 7 feet tall. Leaves are oppositely arranged, entire, and grow up to 1-2 inches long. It grows in a variety of environments including forests and wetland margins were there are rich, moist soils. The twig color is brown or grey in winter. I chose to include this species because it was very common in this area and displayed an obvious example of oppositely arranged leaves.

14

White meadowsweet (Spiraea alba)

This shrub can be found along a small deer trail behind several homes in Burnham, ME.Spiraea alba is a woody shrub that can grow up to 3-4 feet tall. Leaves are simple and toothed and are typically 1-2 inches long. Twigs vary in color and can be brown, purple, yellow, or red. White meadowsweet grows best in moist soil and can be found in a variety of habitats including marshes, meadows, fields, and shores of rivers or lakes. I chose to include this woody shrub as it was very prevelant in many areas and had very distinct simple and toothed leaves.

15

Red Spruce (picea rubens)

This tree can be found along a small deer trail behind several homes in Burnham, ME. The Red Spruce can grow up to 80 feet in height and 1-2 feet in diameter. Mature trees have a thick reddish-brown bark. The Red Spruce is very tolerant of shade and will grow in the understory of mixed stands. It grows in rocky, well-drained soils and is often found on the north side of mountain slopes. Leaves are dark green with a yellow tint and are approximately half an inch long. I chose to include this tree as it stood out to me due to its size and particularly thick bark.

16

Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

This shrub can be found along a small deer trail behind several homes in Burnham, ME.Rubus idaeus is a small shrub tha can grow up to 36 to 60 inches high. Twigs are thorned and can be brown, orange or red. Adult plants have thin and smooth bark. The berries are a sweet food for humans as well as wildlife such as bears and coyotes. Rubus idaeus is common found in forests, fields, meadows, shores of lakes and rivers, swamps, and wetland margins. I chose to include this species as it was fairly common in this area, I also enjoy the fruit that it produces in the summer!

17

Sugar Maple (acer saccharum)

This tree can be found along the Hogback mountin trail in the Frye Mountain state game management area. Sugar maple is found commonly throughout the state of Maine and grows best in moist soils. The sugar maple grows 60-70 feet high and 20-30 inches in diameter. Leaves have three to five lobes and are oppositely arranged. Branches usually begin 8-10 feet up when grown in the open and older trees tend to be more rounded on the top. The wood is commonly used for furniture, flooring, canoes paddles, and firewood. I chose to include this tree as it is very economically important in the syrup and sugar that it provides.

18

Balsam fir (Abies balsama)

This tree can be found along the Hogback mountin trail in the Frye Mountain state game management area. The Balsam Fir grows to 60-70 feet high and 12-20 inches in diameter. Young trees have horizontal branches and are almost perfectly symmetrical. The bark on young trees is pale, grey and smooth, while the bark on older trees is much rougher and contains less resin. Leaves are about an inch long and are a shiny dark green. I chose to include this tree as it was overwhelmingly prevelant throughout these areas. This tree also has a very distinct aroma that I particularly enjoy.

19

Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

This tree can be found along the Hogback mountin trail in the Frye Mountain state game management area. The Northern Red Oak grows to 60-80 feet high and 2-3 feet in diameter. The bark on old trees is a dark grey and is divided into round ridges. Younger trees have a smoother grey or greenish bark. Leaves are 5-8 inches long and have bristle-tipped lobes. They can stay attached through winter. The wood is strong and heavy and commonly used for furniture, pallets, dowels, and firewood. I chose to include this tree due to the unique shape of the leaves as well as its prevalence throughout these areas.

20

American Hophornbeam (ostrya virginiana)

This tree can be found along the Hogback mountin trail in the Frye Mountain state game management area. Ostrya virginiana is a small tree that can grow up to 20-30 feet in height and 6-10 inches in diameter. The bark is grey and separates into narrow vertical scales. Leaves are 2-3 inches long, sharply toothed and alternately arranged. Twigs are ligth brown, wirey and have a light green pith. It grows best in dry gravelly soils and can often be found in the shade or undergrowth of other species. I chose to include this tree due to it's unique bark pattern.