Chapter V: Front Matter (5)

Twigs: Stout, angular, smooth, reddish-brown or greenish-brown and
covered by a whitish coat which can be wiped off, leaf scars
alternate, nearly encircling the bud, elevated, with 6-9 bundle
traces.

Buds: More or less rounded, smooth, about ⅛ inch long.

Leaves: Alternate, pinnately compound, with up to 31 leaflets; leaflets
lance-shaped, up to 4 inches long, less than 2 inches broad, sharp
pointed at the apex, tapering or rounded at the often asymmetrical
base, toothed along the edges, green and smooth on the upper
surface, nearly white and smooth on the lower surface. The leaves
turn red in the autumn.

Flowers: Staminate and pistillate sometimes borne on separate plants,
sometimes on the same plant, sometimes in the same flower,
numerous in much branched clusters, appearing from late May to
mid-August, each flower greenish-yellow, small.

Fruit: Cluster of red berries, each berry round, smooth, up to ⅛ inch in
diameter, containing a single brown seed.

Wood: Light in weight, soft, pale.

Use: Sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Habitat: Woods, fields, disturbed areas.

Range: Nova Scotia across to Manitoba and North Dakota, south to Texas,
east to Florida; also in Mexico.

Distinguishing Features: This species lacks the winged leaf stalks of
the Shining Sumac and lacks the velvety twigs of the Staghorn
Sumac.

STAGHORN SUMAC
_Rhus typhina_ L.

Growth Form: Small to medium tree up to 40 feet tall; trunk diameter up
to 15 inches; crown broadly rounded or sometimes flat.

Bark: Dark brown, smooth at first, becoming scaly in age.

Twigs: Stout, dark brown, covered by velvety hairs; leaf scars nearly
encircling the twigs, with 6-9 bundle traces.

Buds: More or less rounded, hairy, about ⅛ inch long.

Leaves: Alternate, pinnately compound, with up to 31 leaflets; leaflets
lance-shaped, up to 5 inches long, less than 2 inches broad,
pointed at the tip, tapering or rounded at the usually
asymmetrical base, toothed along the edges, dark green and smooth
on the upper surface, paler and smooth except for the hairy veins
on the lower surface. The leaves turn purple to red to orange in
the autumn.

Flowers: Staminate and pistillate sometimes borne on separate plants,
sometimes on the same plant, sometimes in the same flower,
numerous in much branched clusters, appearing from June to August,
each flower greenish, greenish-yellow, or reddish.

Fruit: Dense cluster of red berries, each berry round, conspicuously
hairy, up to ⅛ inch in diameter, containing a single brown seed.

Wood: Light in weight, soft, coarse-grained, orange.

Use: Sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Habitat: Woods and thickets.

Range: Nova Scotia across to Minnesota, south to Iowa and Kentucky, east
to North Carolina.

Distinguishing Features: The densely velvety twigs are distinctive for
this species.

POISON SUMAC
_Rhus vernix_ L.

Growth Form: Small tree or shrub to 20 feet tall; trunk diameter up to 5
inches; crown narrowly rounded.

Bark: Gray, smooth.

Twigs: Rather stout, smooth, orange-brown to gray; leaf scars alternate,
rounded except for where the bud is, with several bundle traces.

Buds: Rounded or somewhat pointed, about ¼ inch in diameter, except for
the larger, terminal one, hairy, often purplish.

Leaves: Alternate, pinnately compound, with 7-13 leaflets; leaflets
elliptic to obovate, pointed at the tip, rounded or tapering to
the base, up to 4 inches long, up to half as wide, dark green and
smooth on the upper surface, paler and usually smooth on the lower
surface, the edges without teeth. The leaves turn a brilliant
scarlet in the autumn.

Flowers: Staminate and pistillate sometimes borne on separate plants,
sometimes on the same plant, sometimes in the same flower,
numerous in much branched clusters, appearing from May to July,
each flower greenish-yellow, small.

Fruit: Cluster of white or creamy berries, each berry round, smooth,
shiny, up to ½ inch in diameter, containing a single yellow seed.

Wood: Soft, light in weight, coarse-grained, yellow-brown.

Use: Little used because of the extremely poisonous nature of most parts
of the plant to the touch.

Habitat: Bogs and swampy woods.

Range: Maine across southern Ontario to Minnesota, south to Texas, east
to Florida.

Distinguishing Features: This species differs from other sumacs with
numerous leaflets by the absence of teeth along the edges of the
leaves and by the absence of a winged stalk between the leaflets.

BLACK LOCUST
_Robinia pseudoacacia_ L.

Growth Form: Moderate tree up to 70 feet tall; trunk diameter up to 2½
feet; crown narrowly oblong, with irregularly ascending or
spreading branches.

Bark: Gray or black, deeply furrowed, with numerous, elevated, scaly
ridges.

Twigs: Slender but strong, angular, often zigzag, reddish-brown, with a
pair of short, sharp thorns where each leaf is attached; leaf
scars alternate, three-lobed, with 3 bundle traces per lobe.

Buds: Sunken in the twigs, dark brown, without bud scales, up to
one-eighth inch long.

Leaves: Alternate, pinnately compound, with 7-21 leaflets; leaflets
oval, rounded at both ends but usually with a short point at the
tip, without teeth, blue-green and smooth on the upper surface,
paler and smooth on the lower surface except for the veins, up to
two inches long and nearly half as wide. The leaflets turn yellow
in the autumn.

Flowers: In long, drooping clusters, white with a yellow spot, very
fragrant, up to 1 inch long, appearing in May and June.

Fruit: Legumes up to 4 inches long and about ½ inch wide, flat, smooth,
reddish-brown, with 4-8 seeds.

Wood: Hard, heavy, strong, brown.

Uses: Fence posts, tool handles; often planted as an ornamental.

Habitat: Woodlands, thickets, roadsides.

Range: Pennsylvania across to Oklahoma, east to Georgia; often planted
in other regions of the eastern United States.

Distinguishing Features: The pinnately compound leaves with up to 21
oval, smooth-edged leaflets, together with the pairs of spines,
serve to distinguish this species.

PEACH-LEAVED WILLOW
_Salix amygdaloides_ Anders.

Growth Form: Moderate tree up to 60 feet tall; trunk diameter up to 1½
feet; crown narrowly rounded.

Bark: Grayish-brown, shallowly furrowed, becoming somewhat scaly.

Twigs: Slender, pale brown to grayish, smooth; leaf scars alternate,
U-shaped, with 3 bundle traces.

Buds: Small, oblong, brown, up to one-sixth inch long.

Leaves: Alternate, simple; blades broadly lance-shaped, long-pointed at
the tip, rounded or tapering to the base, up to 5 inches long,
finely toothed along the edges, dark green and shiny on the upper
surface, pale on the lower surface; leaf stalks up to ½ inch long.

Flowers: Staminate and pistillate flowers borne on separate trees,
minute, crowded into elongated catkins, appearing as the leaves
begin to unfold.

Fruit: Several rather broad, flask-shaped, brown capsules up to
one-sixth inch long, crowded in elongated clusters.

Wood: Light weight, soft, pale brown.

Use: Fuel.

Habitat: Along streams, around lakes and ponds.

Range: Vermont across southern Ontario to British Columbia, south to New
Mexico, east across southern Illinois to central New York.

Distinguishing Features: This willow has broader leaves than almost any
other willow in Illinois. The pale lower surface of the leaves
also distinguishes it from the Black Willow.

CAROLINA WILLOW
_Salix caroliniana_ Michx.

Other Name: Ward’s Willow.

Growth Form: Medium tree to 40 feet tall; trunk diameter up to 1 foot;
crown widely spreading, often irregular.

Bark: Dark brown to gray to black, scaly and ridged.

Twigs: Slender, brown, usually finely hairy; leaf scars alternate,
U-shaped, with 3 bundle traces.

Buds: Small, oblong, reddish-brown, smooth, up to one-eighth inch long.

Leaves: Alternate, simple; blades lanceolate, long-pointed at the tip,
tapering to the base, up to 5 inches long and up to 1 inch broad,
finely toothed along the edges, green and smooth on the upper
surface, whitish and smooth on the lower surface; stipules
conspicuous; leafstalks up to ½ inch long, hairy.

Flowers: Staminate and pistillate flowers borne on separate trees,
appearing as the leaves begin to unfold, crowded in elongated,
yellowish, hairy catkins.

Fruit: Several narrow, flask-shaped, brownish capsules up to ¼ inch
long, crowded in elongated clusters.

Wood: Light weight, soft, not strong.

Use: Fuel.

Habitat: Moist woods, along streams.

Range: Maryland across southern Illinois to Kansas, south to Texas and
Florida.

Distinguishing Features: The leaves of the Carolina Willow are shaped
similarly to those of the Black Willow, but differ by being
whitened on the lower surface.

SANDBAR WILLOW
_Salix interior_ Rowlee

Growth Form: Small tree to 25 feet tall; trunk diameter less than 1
foot; crown irregular.

Bark: Gray, furrowed, broken into rough scales.

Twigs: Slender, grayish-green, smooth; leaf scars alternate, U-shaped,
with 3 bundle traces.

Buds: Small, oblong, pale brown, up to one-sixth inch long.

Leaves: Alternate, simple; blades very narrow, pointed at the tip,
tapering to the base, to 4 inches long, less than one-half inch
broad, with widely spaced teeth along the edges, green and usually
smooth on both surfaces when mature; leafstalks nearly absent.

Flowers: Staminate and pistillate flowers borne on separate trees,
minute, crowded into elongated catkins, appearing when the leaves
are partly grown.

Fruit: Several flask-shaped, brownish, smooth or silky capsules up to
one-eighth inch long, crowded in elongated clusters.

Wood: Light weight, soft, weak.

Use: Fuel.

Habitat: Along streams, often forming thickets.

Range: Quebec across to Alaska, south to Oklahoma and Arkansas, east to
Maryland.

Distinguishing Features: The best characteristics to identify this small
tree are the narrow leaves with the teeth relatively far apart.

BLACK WILLOW
_Salix nigra_ Marsh.

Growth Form: Medium to large tree up to 90 feet tall; trunk diameter up
to three feet; crown usually round-topped, but sometimes
irregular.

Bark: Rough, furrowed, forming elongated, vertical, rather tight scales.

Twigs: Slender, olive-green, smooth; leaf scars alternate, U-shaped,
with 3 bundle traces.

Buds: Small, oblong, reddish-brown, up to one-eighth inch long.

Leaves: Alternate, simple; blades narrowly lance-shaped, usually curved,
long-pointed at the tip, rounded or tapering at the base, up to 6
inches long, finely toothed along the edges, green and shiny on
the upper surface, smooth or hairy on the veins of the lower
surface; leafstalks short, often surrounded at the base by a pair
of green leaf-like stipules.

Flowers: Staminate and pistillate flowers borne on separate trees,
minute, crowded in elongated catkins, appearing as the leaves
begin to unfold.

Fruit: Several narrow, flask-shaped, reddish-brown capsules up to
one-eighth inch long, crowded in elongated clusters.

Wood: Light weight, soft, not strong.

Uses: Flooring, boxes, crates, fuel.

Habitat: Wet ground, frequently along rivers and streams.

Range: New Brunswick across to Ontario, south to Texas, east to Florida.

Distinguishing Features: The narrow lance-shaped leaves which are green
on the lower surface and which have many fine teeth along the
edges distinguish this willow from other willows in Illinois.

SASSAFRAS
_Sassafras albidum_ (Nutt.) Nees

Other Names: White Sassafras; Red Sassafras.

Growth Form: Usually small to moderate tree up to 40 feet tall, but
rarely as much as 80 feet tall; trunk diameter usually up to 2
feet, rarely as much as six feet; crown flat-topped, irregular,
oblong.

Bark: Greenish-gray when young, becoming deeply furrowed and dark
reddish-brown when older.

Twigs: Slender, green, smooth, aromatic; leaf scars alternate, small,
half-round, usually with three bundle traces.

Buds: Ovoid, scarcely pointed at the tip, greenish, up to one-fourth
inch long.

Leaves: Alternate, simple; blades of three different shapes, some
3-lobed, some 2-lobed, some unlobed, tapering to the base, up to 6
inches long, without teeth along the edges, green and smooth on
the upper surface, paler and either smooth or hairy on the lower
surface. The leaves turn brilliant shades of orange, red, and
yellow in the autumn.

Flowers: Staminate and pistillate flowers borne on separate trees, in
few-flowered clusters as the leaves begin to unfold, each flower
about ⅓ inch long, greenish-yellow.

Fruit: Dark blue berries about one-third inch long in deep red cups and
on stalks up to 2 inches long.

Wood: Soft, brittle, orange-brown.

Uses: Fence posts; the roots are strongly aromatic and are dug, dried,
and used in the making of sassafras tea.

Habitat: Roadsides, old fields, woods.

Range: Maine across to Michigan and (formerly) Wisconsin, south to
Texas, east to Florida.

Distinguishing Features: The Sassafras is distinguished by its
distinctively shaped, aromatic leaves and its green twigs.

BALD CYPRESS
_Taxodium distichum_ (L.) Rich.

Growth Form: Large tree to over 100 feet tall; trunk diameter up to 8
feet; crown open and spreading to pyramidal; base of trunk often
swollen; “knees” usually produced if tree is growing in water.

Bark: Pale reddish-brown, broken into numerous thin scales, becoming
fibrous.

Twigs: Slender, reddish-brown; leaf scars absent.

Buds: Spherical, up to ⅛ inch in diameter, pale brown.

Leaves: Needles borne singly, pointed at the tip, up to ¾ inch long,
yellow-green, falling away during the autumn.

Flowers: Staminate borne in branched clusters up to 5 inches long,
purplish; pistillate few to several near the ends of the twigs,
spherical.

Fruit: Cones nearly spherical, up to 1 inch in diameter, green to brown,
wrinkled in appearance.

Wood: Soft, durable, light in weight, brown.

Uses: Railroad ties, fence posts, barrels, bridges; often planted as an
ornamental.

Habitat: Swamps and low, wet woods.

Range: New Jersey across to southern Illinois and southern Missouri to
eastern Texas, east to Florida.

Distinguishing Features: Bald Cypress is distinguished by the feathery
appearance of its leaves and by its spherical, wrinkled cones.

BASSWOOD
_Tilia americana_ L.

Other Name: Linden.

Growth Form: Medium or large tree to 80 feet tall; trunk diameter up to
2 feet; crown broadly rounded.

Bark: Brown, scaly, deeply furrowed.

Twigs: Slender, gray or brown, smooth; leaf scars alternate,
half-elliptical, with 3 to several bundle traces.

Buds: Ovoid, red, smooth, up to ¼ inch long.

Leaves: Alternate, simple; blades ovate, pointed at the tip,
heart-shaped at the very asymmetrical base, up to 8 inches long,
up to ⅔ as broad, coarsely toothed along the edges, green and
smooth on the upper surface, paler and smooth or with tufts of
hair on the lower surface; leafstalks up to 2 inches long, smooth.

Flowers: Few in clusters on a long stalk attached to a paddle-shaped
structure, each flower fragrant, greenish-yellow, with 5 petals,
appearing in June and July.

Fruit: Hard, spherical but often with a short point at the tip, up to ⅓
inch in diameter, light brown, finely hairy.

Wood: Light in weight, close-grained, strong, not durable.

Uses: Coarse construction, furniture, paper pulp, fuel.

Habitat: Rich woods.

Range: New Brunswick across to Manitoba, south to Texas, east to North
Carolina.

Distinguishing Features: The large, heart-shaped leaves sometimes
resemble the leaves of the Red Mulberry, but the leafstalks of the
Basswood do not have milky sap in them. The Basswood differs from
the White Basswood by the virtual absence of hairs on the lower
surface of the leaves.

WHITE BASSWOOD
_Tilia heterophylla_ Vent.

Growth Form: Medium to large tree up to 70 feet tall; trunk diameter up
to 2 feet; crown broadly spreading.

Bark: Brown, scaly, deeply furrowed.

Twigs: Slender, pale red-brown, smooth; leaf scars alternate,
half-elliptical, with 3 to several bundle traces.

Buds: Ovoid, red, usually smooth, up to ¼ inch long.

Leaves: Alternate, simple; blades ovate, pointed at the tip,
heart-shaped at the asymmetrical base, up to 6 inches long, about
half as wide, coarsely toothed along the edges, green and more or
less smooth on the upper surface, densely covered with white hairs
on the lower surface; leafstalks up to 2 inches long, more or less
smooth.

Flowers: Several in clusters on a long stalk attached to a paddle-shaped
structure, each flower fragrant, greenish-yellow, hairy, with 5
petals, appearing in June and July.

Fruit: Hard, more or less spherical, somewhat pointed at the tip, up to
⅓ inch in diameter, reddish-brown, finely hairy.

Wood: Light in weight, close-grained, strong, not durable.

Uses: Paper pulp, fuel.

Habitat: Low, moist woods.

Range: New York across to Missouri, south to Mississippi and Georgia.

Distinguishing Features: The dense coat of white hairs on the lower
surface of the leaves distinguishes the White Basswood from the
Basswood.

WINGED ELM
_Ulmus alata_ Michx.

Other Name: Wahoo Elm.

Growth Form: Small or moderate tree to 60 feet tall; trunk diameter up
to 2 feet, but usually much smaller; crown oblong and relatively
narrow.

Bark: Dark gray, with shallow furrows.

Twigs: Slender, gray or brown, more or less zigzag, smooth, often with
corky wings; leaf scars alternate, half-round, each with 3 bundle
traces.

Buds: Narrow, pointed, brown, smooth or slightly hairy, up to one-fourth
inch long.

Leaves: Alternate, simple; blades elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, pointed
at the tip, rounded at the slightly asymmetrical base, up to three
inches long, doubly toothed along the edges, green and smooth or
slightly roughened on the upper surface, paler and hairy on the
lower surface; leafstalks short, stout, hairy.

Flowers: In drooping clusters of 2-7, appearing before the leaves
unfold, greenish, hairy, small.

Fruit: Oblong, winged, up to one-third inch long, hairy along the edges,
each wing notched at the top and surrounding a single central
seed.

Wood: Heavy, hard, pale brown.

Uses: Tool handles, small wooden articles.

Habitat: Dry cliffs, wooded slopes, rarely low woods.

Range: Virginia across to Missouri, south to Texas, east to Florida.

Distinguishing Features: The corky wings identify the Winged Elm from
all other Illinois elms except the Rock Elm. It differs from the
Rock Elm by its shorter, hairy leaf stalks and its usually smaller
leaves.

AMERICAN ELM
_Ulmus americana_ L.

Other Name: White Elm.

Growth Form: Large tree up to 80 feet tall; trunk diameter up to 4 feet;
crown broadly rounded or sometimes flat-topped, usually with
drooping branchlets.

Bark: Light or dark gray, furrowed, at maturity breaking into thin
plates.

Twigs: Brown, slender, smooth or sparsely hairy, often zigzag; leaf
scars alternate, half-round, each with 3 bundle traces.

Buds: Broadly ovoid, reddish-brown, smooth or sparsely hairy, up to
one-fourth inch long.

Leaves: Alternate, simple; blades oval to elliptic, pointed at the tip,
strongly asymmetrical at the base, up to 6 inches long and about
half as wide, coarsely doubly toothed along the edges, the upper
surface dark green and smooth, the lower surface pale and either
softly hairy or smooth; leafstalks very short, usually yellow.

Flowers: In drooping clusters of 3-4, appearing before the leaves
unfold, greenish-red, hairy, small.

Fruit: Oval, winged fruits up to one-half inch long, hairy along the
edges, each wing notched at the top and surrounding a single
central seed.

Wood: Heavy, strong, pale brown.

Uses: Flooring, farm implements, shipbuilding; frequently planted as an
ornamental and as a shade tree, but greatly diminished in number
by the Dutch Elm disease and phloem necrosis.

Habitat: Bottomland woods, along streams.

Range: Nova Scotia across to southern Manitoba, south to central Texas,
east to south-central Florida.

Distinguishing Features: American Elm may be distinguished from the
Winged Elm and the Rock Elm by its lack of corky wings on the
branchlets. It differs from the Slippery Elm by its relatively
smooth leaves and the lack of rusty-colored hairs on its buds. The
Siberian Elm, which is also similar, does not have distinctly
asymmetrical leaves. Hackberry leaves, which are also somewhat
similar in appearance, have three main veins originating at the
base of each leaf blade.

SIBERIAN ELM
_Ulmus pumila_ L.

Growth Form: Small tree to 35 feet tall; trunk diameter up to 1 foot;
crown broadly rounded, with slender branchlets.

Bark: Gray or brown, shallowly furrowed at maturity.

Twigs: Slender, brown or grayish, smooth; leaf scars alternate,
half-round, with 3 bundle traces.

Buds: Spherical, reddish-brown, up to ⅛ inch in diameter, somewhat
hairy.

Leaves: Alternate, simple; blades short-pointed at the tip, tapering or
rounded at the asymmetrical base, up to 7 cm long, up to half as
broad, mostly singly toothed along the edges, smooth on both
surfaces; leafstalks very short, usually smooth.

Flowers: In drooping clusters of 2-5, appearing before the leaves begin
to unfold, greenish, small, without petals.

Fruit: Nearly round, winged fruits, up to ½ inch in diameter, not
notched, smooth, 1-seeded.

Wood: Hard, heavy, pale brown.

Use: Grown chiefly as an ornamental and frequently reproducing around
old buildings.

Habitat: Along roads, around buildings.

Range: Native of Asia; widely planted in the United States and
naturalized from Minnesota to Kansas and eastward.

Distinguishing Features: The Siberian Elm is distinguished by its small,
smooth, singly-toothed leaves.

SLIPPERY ELM
_Ulmus rubra_ Muhl.

Other Name: Red Elm.

Growth Form: Moderate tree up to 80 feet tall; trunk diameter up to 4
feet; crown broadly rounded or occasionally flat-topped.

Bark: Reddish-brown to gray, with shallow furrows; the inner bark
becomes slippery when chewed.

Twigs: Rather stout, reddish-brown, with short, gray hairs; leaf scars
alternate, half-round, each with 3 bundle traces.

Buds: Nearly round, up to one-fourth inch in diameter, with
rusty-colored hairs.

Leaves: Alternate, simple; blades oval to elliptic, pointed at the tip,
strongly asymmetrical at the base, up to 7 inches long, about half
as wide, coarsely doubly toothed along the edges, the upper
surface green and very rough to the touch, the lower surface
smooth or hairy; leafstalks stout, hairy, up to one-half inch
long.

Flowers: In drooping clusters, appearing before the leaves unfold,
greenish, hairy, small.

Fruit: Circular, winged fruits up to three-fourths inch in diameter, not
hairy except over the seed, each wing surrounding a single seed.

Wood: Heavy, strong, dark brown.

Uses: Shipbuilding, farm implements, fence posts.

Habitat: Bottomland woods; along streams; rocky, upland woods.

Range: Quebec across Ontario to North Dakota, south to Texas, east to
Florida.

Distinguishing Features: The rough, sandpapery texture of the
asymmetrical leaves distinguishes this elm from all others in the
state.

ROCK ELM
_Ulmus thomasii_ Sarg.

Other Name: Cork Elm.

Growth Form: Medium tree up to 75 feet tall; trunk diameter up to three
feet; crown narrow, oblong, with drooping branches.

Bark: Grayish-brown, with shallow furrows.

Twigs: Slender, brown, smooth or finely hairy, usually with corky wings;
leaf scars alternate, half-round, each with 3 bundle traces.

Buds: Lance-shaped, pointed, brown, more or less hairy, up to one-fourth
inch long.

Leaves: Alternate, simple; blades oval to oblong, pointed at the tip,
rounded at the slightly asymmetrical base, up to 4 inches long,
doubly toothed, green, smooth, and shiny on the upper surface,
paler and hairy on the lower surface; leafstalks up to one-half
inch long, smooth.

Flowers: In drooping clusters of 2-4, appearing before the leaves begin
to unfold, greenish-red, hairy, small.

Fruit: Oval, winged fruits up to one-half inch long, hairy, each wing
with a shallow notch at the top and surrounding a single seed.

Wood: Hard, strong, heavy, close-grained, pale brown.

Uses: Railroad ties, farm implements, hockey sticks.

Habitat: Wooded slopes, rock ledges.

Range: Quebec to Ontario and Minnesota, southwestward to Kansas, east to
Tennessee.

Distinguishing Features: Rock Elm differs from other elms in Illinois by
its corky-winged twigs and its smooth leafstalks.

SWEET VIBURNUM
_Viburnum lentago_ L.

Other Names: Nannyberry; Wild Raisin; Sheepberry.

Growth Form: Small tree to 25 feet tall; trunk diameter up to 5 inches;
crown rounded.

Bark: Reddish-brown, broken into irregular plates.

Twigs: Slender, grayish, sometimes with orange dots, smooth; leaf scars
opposite, crescent-shaped, with 3 bundle traces.

Buds: Red, nearly smooth, long-pointed, up to ¾ inch long.

Leaves: Opposite, simple; blades ovate, pointed at the tip, tapering or
rounded at the base, up to 3 inches long, about half as wide,
sharply and finely toothed along the edges, green and slightly
hairy on the upper surface, yellow-green and minutely black-dotted
on the lower surface; leafstalks up to 1½ inches long, sometimes
rusty-hairy, winged.

Flowers: Many in broad, round-topped clusters, slightly fragrant,
appearing during April and May, each flower small and
creamy-white.

Fruit: Fleshy, oval to ellipsoid, blue-black, up to ½ inch long, sweet,
containing a single stone.

Wood: Hard, heavy, close-grained, dark orange-brown.

Use: Sometimes planted as an ornamental.

Habitat: Rocky woods; woods along streams.

Range: Quebec across to Manitoba, south to Colorado, east across
northern Illinois to Georgia.

Distinguishing Features: The Sweet Viburnum, like other viburnums, has
opposite, simple leaves which are finely and sharply toothed. It
differs from other viburnums in Illinois by its long-pointed
leaves and its winged leaf stalks.

BLACK HAW
_Viburnum prunifolium_ L.

Other Name: Nannyberry.

Growth Form: Small tree to 25 feet tall; trunk diameter up to 6 inches;
crown irregular.

Bark: Reddish-brown, broken into irregular plates.

Twigs: Slender, grayish, sometimes with orange dots, smooth; leaf scars
opposite, crescent-shaped, with 3 bundle traces.

Buds: Brown, nearly smooth, up to ½ inch long.

Leaves: Opposite, simple; blades oval to ovate, short-pointed at the
tip, rounded or tapering to the base, up to 3 inches long and 2
inches broad, finely and sharply toothed along the edges, dark
green and smooth on the upper surface, paler and smooth on the
lower surface; leafstalks up to ⅔ inch long, smooth, scarcely or
not at all winged.

Flowers: Many in broad, round-topped clusters, appearing during April
and May, each flower small and white.

Fruit: Fleshy, oval to ellipsoid, blue-black, up to ⅔ inch long, sweet,
containing a single stone.

Wood: Hard, heavy, strong but brittle, coarse-grained, reddish-brown.

Use: Sometimes planted as an ornamental.

Habitat: Rocky woods.

Range: Connecticut across to Michigan, southwest to Kansas, south to
Texas, east to Florida.

Distinguishing Features: Black Haw differs from the Sweet Viburnum by
the absence of wings along the leafstalks. It differs from the
Rusty Nannyberry by the absence of rusty hairs on the buds and
leafstalks.

RUSTY NANNYBERRY
_Viburnum rufidulum_ Raf.

Other Name: Southern Black Haw.

Growth Form: Small tree to 30 feet tall; trunk diameter up to 8 inches;
crown irregular.

Bark: Dark brown, broken into square plates.

Twigs: Slender, somewhat rusty-hairy; leaf scars opposite,
crescent-shaped, with 3 bundle traces.

Buds: Rusty-hairy, up to ½ inch long.

Leaves: Opposite, simple; blades elliptic to obovate, short-pointed or
rounded at the tip, rounded or tapering to the base, up to 3
inches long, about half as wide, sharply and finely toothed along
the edges, dark green and usually smooth on the upper surface,
paler and with some rusty hairs on the lower surface; leafstalks
up to ¾ inch long, rusty-hairy.

Flowers: Many in broad, round-topped clusters, appearing during April
and May, each flower small and creamy-white.

Fruit: Fleshy, oblong, to obovoid, blue-black, up to ⅔ inch long. sweet,
containing a single stone.

Wood: Hard, heavy, strong but brittle, close-grained, dark orange-brown.

Use: Sometimes planted as an ornamental.

Habitat: Dry, rocky woods.

Range: Virginia across to Missouri, south to Texas, east to Florida.

Distinguishing Features: The most distinguishing characteristics of the
Rusty Nannyberry are the rusty-hairy buds and leaf stalks.

Special Places to Study Trees

A number of places in the state of Illinois provide opportunities to study and to observe woody plants. Some of the major ones are briefly described below.

The Morton Arboretum

A good place to learn the trees of Illinois firsthand is the Morton Arboretum at Lisle, some twenty-five miles west of Chicago. This privately endowed educational and scientific institution is devoted to growing all kinds of woody plants that will survive in northern Illinois. On the Arboretum’s 1500 acres one can find large collections of oaks, maples, elms, ashes, lindens, junipers, pines, firs, spruces, and numerous other groupings of woody plants from places throughout the temperate world.

Certain collections in the Arboretum are along designated trails and are especially useful in learning to identify trees. Perhaps the most popular is the Illinois Trees Trail, where native trees are identified by plaques that show common and scientific names and give other interesting information about the trees. Another is the Evergreen Trail, which features conifers.

Some trails emphasize ecology or other aspects of biology but also feature trees. One of these is the Thornhill Trail, a general nature trail on which trees are prominent. Another trail links nearby nature study areas, including a mini-prairie, a wild flower garden, a northern coniferous forest, and a pond-marsh. A short garden trail, the Viburnum Walk, is unusual in that it utilizes a grouping of Viburnums and their relatives to illustrate some of the principles of plant classification.

Landscape plantings are another important feature in the Arboretum, and the extensive forested areas provide a dramatic backdrop for cultivated plantings that have been blended skillfully into the natural landscape. These are especially spectacular in spring when flowering trees are in bloom and in fall when the foliage is in color.

At the Morton Arboretum there is a continuous effort to learn more about the adaptability of trees and shrubs to the special growing conditions of northern Illinois, especially the soils and climate. The natural forests are being used as an outdoor laboratory for ecological studies, and certain cultivated collections are experimental. The Street Tree Collection, for example, is a large experimental assemblage of various trees thought to be suitable for street and shade purposes. The Heath (Ericaceous) Collection is valuable in determining the cultural requirements for growing certain azaleas and rhododendrons in northern Illinois.

The Morton Arboretum has been designed for learning through outdoor experiences. The grounds are open every day of the year, and visitors are always welcome. A modest admission fee is charged for each car entering. In the Visitor Center, an overall orientation is offered through exhibits and audio-visual presentations explaining the purposes and functions of the Arboretum. Groups planning to visit should request advance information about seasonal features, current hours, special programs, and eating facilities. The varied opportunities and abundant facilities at the Morton Arboretum make visits both pleasant and memorable.

Illinois Natural History Survey

The Illinois Natural History Survey is a research organization devoted to the scientific study of the living natural resources of Illinois. It is one of the Divisions of the Department of Registration and Education and is administered by a Board of Natural Resources and Conservation, consisting of the Director of the Department, the President of the University of Illinois, or his representative, the President of Southern Illinois University, or his representative, members and experts in the fields of geology, biology, chemistry, forestry, and engineering.

The Survey is organized into sections, five of which are engaged in scientific pursuits. These are aquatic biology, botany and plant pathology, economic entomology, faunistic survey, and wildlife. These sections pursue basic and scientific research in systematics, ecology, environmental quality, and control of plant diseases and insect pests. The zoological collections of the Survey, numbering about 8,800,000 specimens, rank among the largest and most valuable in the world. The botanical collections are smaller in size. The vascular plant collections number over 145,000 specimens that are most representative for studies of distribution in Illinois. The mycological collections, with more than 35,000 specimens, include numerous types that are basic to scientific research.

The Survey is housed in the Natural Resources Building and the Natural Resources Studies Annex on the campus of the University of Illinois, Urbana. In addition, the Survey maintains special research facilities at Fox Ridge State Park, Stephen A. Forbes State Park, Havana, Sullivan, and elsewhere for studies of pond management, prairie chickens, pheasants, waterfowl, fish, and wildlife.

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, has both a Department of Botany and a Department of Forestry where students may select courses from a broad curriculum to study various aspects of plant life. Many forest-oriented courses are available, and most of them include actual work in the field. The University has an arboretum on campus where ornamental species are emphasized. Guided tours of these arboreta, as well as of the display greenhouse, can be arranged by contacting the Chairman of the Department of Botany, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901.

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The department has programs in instruction, research and public service. The instructional program offers professional undergraduate training in forest science and wood science and these are accredited by the Society of American Foresters. Graduate training is provided only at the Master’s level within the department. Doctoral work can be pursued through interdisciplinary programs in genetics, ecology, and plant physiology under the general direction of forestry staff who are members of these respective faculties.

Research is conducted at the main campus, the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center in southern Illinois (Pope County), Sinnissippi Forest in northern Illinois (Ogle County), and at other smaller outlying areas. Support is provided by the Agricultural Experiment Station and grants from industry and governmental agencies. Projects cover a wide range of subjects related to the production and utilization of wood as well as the use of forests for non-timber values. The latter includes recreation and watershed management, with special emphasis on the role of forests and forestry in water quality.

At Dixon Springs the emphasis has been on the ecology and management of pine plantations. These plantings represent plant communities that have been interjected by man into the natural succession of abandoned agricultural land to forest. Factors affecting the growth of pine, and the effects of pine on soil conditions, stand composition, and the regeneration of native hardwood species are being investigated. Watershed management studies are also concentrated at Dixon Springs.

The 2,500-acre Sinnissippi Forest, a private estate provides the department with research opportunities. A nature tail is maintained as an outdoor laboratory that is widely used by both adult and youth groups. Sinnissippi Forest emphasizes the fact that a managed forest can be aesthetically pleasing.

Public service activities are carried on through the Cooperative Extension Service and provide advice and information to landowners, youth groups, and other citizens of the State. This is accomplished largely through group meetings and demonstrations and direct replies to individual requests for information. Major emphasis has been on establishment of windbreaks on farms in the prairie region; promotion of sound management practices for farm woodlands; and the care of trees in plantations and on farmsteads. Extension education emphasizes the development of an appreciation by Illinois youth for conservation of the forest resource; the promotion among adults of sound management of rural and urban woodlands; and program for primary and secondary industries that concerns the conversion of wood into useful products.

Shawnee National Forest

Much of the forested land in the southern tip of Illinois is in the Shawnee National Forest. The 257,000 acres of rolling topography in the forest contain 208 different kinds of native, woody plants. Some of the areas which have a high concentration of unusual plant life have been designated Botanical Areas by the United States Forest Service. At these areas, such as Little Grand Canyon, Jackson Hollow, Stone Face, and six others, plant life is protected. These are excellent places to observe many of the woody plants of the State.

At other areas in the Shawnee National Forest, various forest management practices, such as selective timber-cutting, erosion control, and watershed protection, can be observed.

Numerous recreation facilities are dotted throughout the Shawnee. At many of these, nature trails have been developed which bring the hiker closer to nature. Descriptive brochures are available for most of the recreation areas. They may be obtained by visiting the district ranger offices at Vienna, Elizabethtown, Jonesboro, or Murphysboro, or by writing to the Forest Supervisor, Shawnee National Forest, Harrisburg, Illinois.

White Oak, the State Tree of Illinois

In 1972, the school children of Illinois selected the white oak, (_Quercus alba_ L.), as the state tree. It is truly representative for it can be found throughout the state on a variety of sites. It grows to its largest size on upland, cool, well-drained coves, slopes, and terraces where it often reaches 100 feet of height and 3 feet of diameter.

White oak is one of Illinois’ most valuable trees. It makes an excellent shade tree of majestic beauty with a broad round head and wide spreading branches. Commercially it is an extremely valuable species used for lumber, veneer, barrels, furniture, flooring, and construction.

This species is also a part of our national heritage. In the war of 1812, sailors reported that during battle, cannon balls bounced off the hull of the U.S.S. Constitution. White oak helped make her “Old Ironsides” and a part of our history.

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
DIVISION OF FORESTRY

The Legislature has given this Division the responsibility for all activities concerning the forest and tree resource of Illinois. The Division strives to fulfill its responsibilities by:

—protecting the resource against all detrimental factors such as fire,
insects and diseases, improper harvesting, etc.

—making the public aware of the importance of this resource to the
state’s health and economy.

—motivating and providing technical guidance to forest and tree owners
for proper management.

—practicing and demonstrating proper forest management principles on
Department lands.

The main objectives of this Division are to promote and achieve on suitable public and private lands the establishment, protection, management, use, and perpetuation of our tree resource for all of the benefits which may be derived from them.

The Division cooperates with and makes full use of federal, state, and private agency programs, efforts and monies to achieve Division objectives and benefit forestry in Illinois. Formal cooperative agreements exist with the United States Forest Service, U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service, Extension Service and other groups, associations and clubs active in forestry and its related fields.

The efforts of the Division are channeled through five disciplines: fire control, forest management, reforestation, marketing and utilization, and urban and community forestry. Each of these sections has technical leadership at state level plus resource specialists for field accomplishments. These five efforts intertwine very strongly at field level where all personnel carry out certain parts of these programs in designated geographic areas.

ILLINOIS BIG TREE CHAMPIONS

The Division of Forestry is cooperating with the American Forestry Association in an attempt to find the biggest trees of each kind in the United States and/or in Illinois. If you know of a tree that you think might qualify, send the following information to the State Forester’s office in Springfield: species, trunk circumference in inches (measured 4½ feet above the ground); total tree height in feet; and, average width of crown in feet. If your candidate appears to be a winner, a state forester will be sent to determine the exact measurements. If it is a winner your name, the kind of tree and its dimension will be placed on our list. You will receive a certificate stating that you have found a “Big Tree Champion.”

Index to Common and Scientific Names

A
Acer
barbatum 38
negundo 40
nigrum 42
rubrum 44-46
saccharinum 48
saccharum 50
Aesculus
discolor 52
glabra 54
Ailanthus
altissima 56
Alder
Black 58
Alnus
glutinosa 58
Amelanchier
arborea 60
laevis 62
Apple
Iowa Crab 182
Narrow-leaved Crab 178
Prairie Crab 180
Aralia
spinosa 64
Ash
Black 138
Blue 144
Green 142
Pumpkin 146
Red 140
Wafer 232
White 136
Asimina
triloba 66
Aspen
Large-toothed 216
Quaking 220

B
Basswood 298
White 300
Beech
Blue 76
Betula
lutea 68
nigra 70
papyrifera 72
Birch
Paper 72
River 70
Yellow 68
Box Elder 40
Broussonetia
papyrifera 74
Buckeye
Ohio 54
Red 52
Buckthorn 274
Carolina 272
Butternut 160