Tree Trail Project 19-24

Tree Descriptions 19-24 (Eagle Scout Project by George Atkinson)

19) Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
The Flowering Dogwood is a deciduous tree that can grow to 20-40 feet that is native to eastern North America. During the Civil War dogwood bark was used as a substitute for quinine, a common treatment for malaria and babesiosis. The dogwood’s nectar and flowers attract birds and butterflies. It was introduced into Europe from Virginia by the early colonists, and has a natural range from Florida to Massachusetts, including Texas and Mexico.

20) Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
The Japanese Cedar is an evergreen tree that can grow to 100 feet tall (under the correct conditions), and is the national tree of Japan. The timber is extremely fragrant, weather and insect resistant, soft, and has a low density. The timber is used for making staves, tubs, casks, furniture and other indoor applications. Easy to saw and season, it is favoured for light construction, boxes, veneers and plywood. Wood that has been buried turns dark green and is quite valuable. Resin from the tree contains cryptopimaric and phenolic acid.

21) Nuttall Oak (Quercus nuttallii)
The Nuttall Oak is a large and sturdy deciduous tree, and is commonly known for its clusters of acorns. This tree can be found from Alabama to Texas/Oklahoma, and even up north in Missouri and illinois. It is commonly used for squirrel food, and has a wide grey trunk with medium-sized green leaves that turn a variety of colors in the fall. Typically, the Nuttall Oak grows about 40-60 feet tall, but under the right conditions this tree can grow upwards of 80 feet tall.

22) Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia X soulangiana)
This cousin of the Southern Magnolia grows to 30 to 40 feet tall. The Magnolia is known for its pink (or occasionally purple) flower petals, and is a very beautiful evergreen shrub/small tree. It is commonly found in the deep south of the USA, and was first cultivated in the early 1800s in France.

23) Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
The Empress Tree is a deciduous tree, and is also called the Foxglove Tree, in addition to several other common names. The Empress Tree grows 40 to 50 feet tall, and is commonly used for its wood because of its fast growth rate. It is found throughout the southern and mid-western United States, though it is native to China. Asian countries (primarily the Japanese) use the timber for rice pots, bowls, spoons, furniture, coffins, air crates, and shoe soles.

24) Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
The Eastern Redbud is a deciduous t ree that can grow 20 to 30 feet tall and 25-35 feet wide. It is a very beautiful tree with many small pink, magenta, and purple flowers, and is related to the pea family. It has small, light green, broadly-heart shaped leaves that extend in an alternating zig-zag pattern. It is generally found between New Jersey, down south to Florida, and out west to Texas and Missouri. The Redbud’s branches are commonly used in basketry and in remedies for the common cold or flu (don’t try this at home!).

Tree Descriptions 25 - 30