Hug a tree

Including conifers, flowering trees, ginkgo, palms, and woody shrubs.  The distinction between what is a tree and what is not a tree can be blurry.  For the added benefit of identification, I will include many shrubs which are not considered trees, but may be mistaken for a young or stunted tree.  In general, most of the species here are woody perennials with a tough bark and branching structure supporting leaves.

Identifications may include multiple photos with bark, fruits or cones, leaves and/or flowers, overall form of organism, fall color, and budding.  Some of the trees will also be illustrated as it is hard to get good shots of bark, leaves, fruit, and shape, whereas an illustration can be made with all of those features on one page. To make a proper identification consult two or more resources.

Warning: I do not recommend eating wild plants or fungi as they may contain toxins or bacteria, fungi, or other pathogens that can cause bodily harm.  Consult at least two reliable resources when foraging for wild foods.  Improper identification often leads to poisoning.  Forage at your own risk.

Scarlet Hawthorn (Crataegus coccinea). One of a few species of hawthorn found in Pennsylvania and numerous throughout North America. Species confusion is common and taxonomy is difficult. The small tree blooms in spring and early summer and grows tiny “haws” like tiny apples. Long thorns throughout branches. North Park, Pennsylvania. May, 2015.

Scarlet Hawthorn (Crataegus coccinea). One of a few species of hawthorn found in Pennsylvania and numerous throughout North America. Species confusion is common and taxonomy is difficult. The small tree blooms in spring and early summer and grows tiny “haws” like tiny apples. Long thorns throughout branches. North Park, Pennsylvania. May, 2015.

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida). A common tree in landscaping and somewhat common in understory or woodland edge. Eastern US. Flowers in Spring are with four large white or slightly pinkish petals–actually modified sepals. The leaves are simple and ovate with veins curving toward tip. Bark is whitish grey and flakier as tree ages, though trunk is never very wide. Red berries in late summer that persist through winter. North Park, Pennsylvania. May, 2015.

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida). A common tree in landscaping and somewhat common in understory or woodland edge. Eastern US. Flowers in Spring are with four large white or slightly pinkish petals–actually modified sepals. The leaves are simple and ovate with veins curving toward tip. Bark is whitish grey and flakier as tree ages, though trunk is never very wide. Red berries in late summer that persist through winter. North Park, Pennsylvania. May, 2015.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). Short dark green needles that lay mostly flat, new growth brighter green. Small cones and seeds. Bark is flaky when tree is younger and furrowed when older. Evergreen tree can grow quite tall, but slowly and prefers moist, rocky slopes.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). Short dark green needles that lay mostly flat, new growth brighter green. Small cones and seeds. Bark is flaky when tree is younger and furrowed when older. Evergreen tree can grow quite tall, but slowly and prefers moist, rocky slopes. Cooper’s Rock State Forest, West Virginia. March, 2014.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). Short dark green needles that lay mostly flat, new growth brighter green. Small cones and seeds. Bark is flaky when tree is younger and furrowed when older. Evergreen tree can grow quite tall, but slowly and prefers moist, rocky slopes. Cooper’s Rock State Forest, West Virginia. March, 2014.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). This picture shows woolly adelgid infestation on foliage. The adelgid is an invasive aphid that can defoliate entire trees and has caused mass die offs of hemlock trees in the Southern Appalachians. Cooper’s Rock State Forest, West Virginia. March, 2014.