MaRose Dendrology Walk Preview

1

Malus domestica - Apple

Across the driveway from the lilac, near the roadside, are a cluster of wild apple trees, Malus domestica. These seedling grown apples are distinct varieties found nowhere else, since apples are extreme heterozygotes. If you're here in the autumn try an apple or three and taste the variety!

2

Pinus strobus - Eastern White Pine

Directly adjacent to the apple trees are Eastern White Pines - Pinus strobus - these are the state tree of Maine and were and are an important tree in the ecosystems of the state. They colonize old fields and open areas, grow large, and often survive longer than many of the surrounding trees. They were important lumber for the shipbuilding industry early on, and their needles can be brewed into a vitamin c rich tea.

3

Prunus serotina - Black Cherry

This is just one of the Black Cherries - Prunus serotina - you will find as you take this walk. This one, in the ditch adjacent to the driveway, is fairly large. In winter you can identify it by its distinctive bark and the black knot fungus in its upper branches. Black cherry is an interesting species, the wood of which is used for woodcarving and other woodworking.

4

Populus tremuloides - Quaking Aspen

This is a quaking aspen - Populus tremuloides - the most widespread tree in the United States. This one is quite large and has lost some limbs in previous winter storms. They are an important browse for deer when young, and are early colonizers of disturbed areas and old fields.

5

Syringa vulgaris - Common Lilac

Near the edge of the driveway as you start the tour you will find a young Syringa vulgaris. This has been included because they are an interesting and common ornamental plant with particularly showy blooms. Over time if you take this tour in future years this will develop into a large shrub or small tree and be much more noticeable.

6

Aesculus pavia - Red Buckeye

The Red Buckeye - Aesculus pavia - is not native to Maine but survives well in the climate here. This one was planted by the previous owners of the house, one of whom works for Fedco Trees. It is small, multistemmed, and half-hidden by tall grasses and other herbaceous perennials. Native to areas such as Ohio, these can be a showy ornamental when larger.

7

Quercus rubra - Northern Red Oak

Northern Red Oak - Quercus rubra - is a large native oak species here in Central Maine. They are important sources of wildlife food and their acorns can be used by humans as well. This one has two stems, one of which juts out over the area where the Red Buckeye can be found.

8

Quercus prinus - Chestnut Oak

This young chestnut oak - Quercus prinus - is already losing its leaves for the season. Planted here, but native to Southern Maine and further south, this is another species that can be beneficial for wildlife, especially squirrels and deer, as they consume the acorns.

9

Picea glauca - White Spruce

The White Spruce - Picea glauca - is an important species in Maine and is common statewide. It forms an important canopy species in the Spruce-Fir forests of Northern Maine and Canada.

10

Robinia pseudoacacia - Black Locust

There are lots of Black Locusts - Robinia pseudoacacia - here on the property along the driveway. This is just one to keep an eye out for, growing closer to the driveway than the previous White Spruce. These are not native to Maine, and occasionally considered invasive, colonizers of roadside ditches and disturbed spaces.

11

Rosa multiflora - Multiflora Rose

Rosa multiflora is a common sight along the edge of the driveway leading towards the house. These are native to eastern Asia and considered extremely invasive. Easily identifiable in the fall by their small, red hips (fruit), they are thorny and provide food for birds and other animals. However, their use as a food source is what makes them so invasive, their seeds being easily spread by animals and birds.

12

Rhus typhina -Staghorn Sumac

There is a hard-to-miss, large thicket of Staghorn Sumac - Rhus typhina - along the edge of the driveway towards the house and dumpster. These are an interesting species, feel the twigs - they feel hairy and soft like newly forming deer antler (or Staghorn). In the same family as Poison Ivy, these do not cause rashes.

13

Vitus spp. - Wild Grape

Take a look inside the thicket of Rhus typhina for the vining, native wild grape Vitus spp. These, of which there are many species, are one of the common native woody vines in Maine. Leaves near the base of the vine are quite large. This is very likely Vitus riparia - the Riverbank Grape - but some of the species can be hard to tell apart. Either way, they are a prime source of food for wildlife from bumblebees enjoying their flowers to numerous animals eating their fruit.

14

Acer saccharum - Sugar Maple

On the ledge above the parking area in the driveway you will find a Sugar Maple. These are important trees in Maine, although they are threatened by climate change in the region. Sugar maples are best known for their sap, which produces maple syrup.

15

Betula populifolia - Gray Birch

By the shed along the treeline you will find not one, not two, but half a dozen gray birch - Betula populifolia. The gray birch is a common tree in Maine, and will often grow on forest edges but never deep in the forest. They are very bendable, and late winter snows often bend them over to the ground.

16

Viburnum acerifolium - Maple-leaf Viburnum

The Maple-leaf viburnum is a popular ornamental as well as a native woodland understory species. Their fruit is a source of food for wildlife. They have soft leaves, feel one and find out! Additional, wild examples may be found in the woods throughout this area if you want to try your hand at finding one in the wild and not planted as this one is by the side of the steps into the house.

17

Microbiota decussata - Siberian Carpet Cypress

This is a really fascinating member of the Cupressaceae family. It is a low-growing, spreading groundcover often called Siberian Carpet Cypress. Microbiota decussata was discovered in the far reaches of Russian Siberia. It is native and endemic to a limited area of the Sikhote-Alin mountains in Primorskiy Krai. It was discovered in 1923, but due to Soviet political secrecy was unknown to the rest of the world until the 1970s. It is planted as an ornamental and survives well in Maine.

18

Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' - Western Red Cedar

This is added as a point of interest. It is a cultivar of the Western Red Cedar - the standard variety of which can reach 200' tall. This cultivar, however, will not grow taller than 5'. Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' is a shrubby, slow-growing, dwarf form of western red-cedar that grows with pendulous whipcord-like green foliage which droops from branchlets rising upward, fountain-like, from the center before arching downward. It is a speciman planting and is included in this tour only as a side-note of interest.

19

Bonus Sugar Maple!

Congratulations, you have reached the bonus Sugar Maple! Try to remember from earlier what the scientific name of this species is, and why it is so important to humans.

20

Salix bebbiana - Bebb's Willow / Long-beaked Willow

Salix bebbiana is common along the forest edge on this property. Its unique diamond-patterned bark gives it away. If you were adventurous you may have already seen one behind the shed. This one, located on the side of the house on the slope towards the backyard lost a large stem in a storm last year, but is still growing strong. The wood has uses for woodcarving.

21

Rubus spp. - Blackberries

Blackberries are abundant on the property, especially in the backyard and on the forest edges. This patch, just beneath the Bebb's Willow of the previous Point of Interest, is large and plentiful if you happen to be taking the tour during fruiting season. Take a few and try them! These are important wildlife food, though, so don't take too many!

22

Fraxinus americana - White Ash

Look down the slope and beyond the blackberries and Bebb's Willow to find the White Ash. These are an important species in Maine's forests but are currently threatened by the Emerald Ash Borer. The Ash Borer, an invasive beetle from Asia, devestates ash tree populations. Hopefully they have not arrived in the Unity area by the time you are on this tour. Further back in the woods you may catch sight of some larger Fraxinus americana as well.

23

Alnus incana - Speckled Alder

Look for the plastic garden shed out back by the edge of the woods and behind it, along that whole section of woods from there to the compost bin, you will find Alnus incana - Speckled Alder. They grow in wetter areas, and this is one where the snowmelt from the ridge above brings spring runoff. and the ground stays moist year-round. These are a food source for some birds and their twigs are browsed by deer and moose.

24

Sambucus racemosa - Red-berried Elder

Tucked into the thicket of Alders, just beyond the lobster buoy hanging from a Speckled Alder limb, you will find Sambucus racemosa. These have berries that can be made into jam, and which animals devour quickly - probably birds. This is an important native plant as a wildlife food source.

25

Bonus Wild Apple!

Here, behind the compost bin made of wooden pallets, you will find a very tasty wild apple (Malus domestica). This is a bonus. Take a bite if you're here in September or October and give one a try.

26

Liriodendron tulipifera - Tulip Poplar

While not native to Maine, Liriodendron tulipifera is native to just a bit further south and can grow here. This is a sapling that my neighbor planted and which will one day become a larger tree. They are a beautiful tree with showy leaves and blooms.

27

Larix laricina - Larch

Larix laricina is a large, deciduous conifer. The only deciduous conifer in Maine, in fact. Their needles turn a brilliant yellow in autumn before dropping. Stand back in the yard near the Tulip Poplar, but just a bit closer to the house, and look back over the compost bin for a view of this stately Larch in the woods behind the backyard. This tree is also called Hackmatack or Tamarack.

28

Prunus armeniaca - Apricot

Near the raised beds take a look for the Apricot tree. Native to Central Asia, apricots were cultivated long ago by humans and are a popular and tasty fruit. This tree is young and has not yet borne fruit, but should in years to come.

29

Cryptomeria japonica - Japanese cedar

Come around the other side of the house from the way you originally entered the backyard and up the hill to the edge of the Staghorn Sumac thicket where you were earlier, and somewhat behind the dumpster in a mulched area is this small Japanese cedar. Another ornamental, and non-native, this specimen is a dwarf variety that will only reach about 12' in height though it does not differ in appearance much from a standard Cryptomeria japonica. While this is where our tour ends, you will find many other species of trees - both native, invasive (unfortunately) and ornamental around the property. Take a look for young pear trees and apples of numerous varieties, wild raspberries, a small Eastern Redcedar, and more. Venturing into the woods in any direction you will find even more species not listed on this tour - bring a copy of The Forest Trees of Maine and see what you can find on the six acre property.