Species Spotlight: Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) This storied tree provoked riots, led to war, and was declared the property of kings. The eastern white pine was critically important to the British Royal Navy in the early 1700s to make ship masts. British domestic supply of sizable trees was exhausted and imports from Europe were …
Species Spotlight: Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) The Indian pipe stands out amidst the flowers of the forest with its ghostly white appearance. Indian pipe, also known as ghost plant, has a bright white and sometimes pink appearance. Its white appearance is due to its inability to photosynthesize. How can a plant survive without photosynthesizing? It …
Species Spotlight: Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) The pawpaw is among our most interesting and exotic native trees. Its fruits sustained some of America’s most important explorers on their expeditions. The pawpaw looks exotic with its deep red flowers, huge leaves, and large fruits. Its edible fruits are the largest of any North American tree. They taste …
Species Spotlight: Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) The bright white flowers of the dogwood are a familiar sign of spring. Blooms are found in front yards across the mid-Atlantic. The tree’s popularity may be due to their short stature, bonsai-like shape, or showy flowers. Regardless, they are undoubtedly among our most popular native trees. These flowering …
Species Spotlight: White Oak (Quercus alba) There are few trees that merit the words majestic, grandiose, and stately. When you see an old white oak, it evokes an emotional response of wonder at God’s great creation with its arms appearing to reach toward heaven. This giant can reach heights of up to 130 feet and …
Species Spotlight: Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) The silver maple is an exceptional ornamental tree and great for wildlife. It provides year-round visual interest. The short trunk and long-reaching arms give a striking appearance in winter. Perched birds are easily observed among the bare branches. Early spring provides deep red buds in a bland landscape. In …
Species Spotlight: American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) The American persimmon fruit is a sweet winter treat unlike any other among our native flora. After winters frost hits, the orange ripe persimmon tastes like a sweet piece of candy. However, if you eat one before it is fully ripe, you are in for a mouth puckering bite. …