Norway Maple

(Acer platanoides)

invasive 

​

Large leaves, Bright yellow in fall.  Holds its leaves longer than most. Puts out a chemical (don’t remember exactly what it is called) via its roots, into the ground that prevents other plants/trees from germinating under them.

American sycamore

(Platanus occidentalis)

native

​

Easily distinguished from other trees by its mottled bark which flakes off in great irregular masses.  Often found on stream banks or wetland areas.  Can grow very large.  The largest species measured 167 ft tall, and nearly 13 ft in diameter.  The terms under which the New York Stock Exchange was formed are called the "Buttonwood Agreement," because it was signed under a buttonwood (sycamore) tree at 68 Wall Street, New York City in 1792.

Hackberry

(Celtis occidentalis)

native  

​

One of the more rare trees you'll find in our region. Found in moist/damp woodlands.  Easily identified by its unique bark.  The maximum age attained by hackberry is probably between 150 and 200 years in ideal conditions.  The tree's pea-sized berries are edible, ripening in early September.

Eastern White Pine

(Pinus strobus)

native

The Native American Haudenosaunee denominated it the "Tree of Peace".  Eastern White Pine forests originally covered much of north-central and north-eastern North America. Only one percent of the old-growth forests remain after the extensive logging operations of the 18th century to early 20th century. During the age of square riggers, tall white pines with high quality wood in the Thirteen Colonies were known as mast pines. pine needles contain five times the amount of Vitamin C (by weight) of lemons and make an excellent herbal tea.

Chestnut Oak

(Quercus montana)

native  

​

This species is a predominant ridge-top tree.  The acorns of the chestnut oak are 1⁄2–1 1⁄4" long and 3⁄8–3⁄4" wide are among the largest of native American oaks, surpassed in size only by the bur oak. 

Eastern Hemlock

(Tsuga canadensis)

native

​

the oldest recorded specimen at 554 yrs old was found in Tionesta, Pennsylvania. Generally confined to areas with cool and humid climates. Currently threatened by the hemlock woolly adelgid, a sap-sucking bug accidentally introduced from East Asia to the United States in 1924.  The lumber is used for railroad ties and pulp for paper manufacturing. 

Red Maple

(Acer rubrum)

native  

​

Is one of the most common and widespread deciduous trees of eastern and central N. America and grows in a wide range of site conditions.  It is also the State Tree of Rhode Island.  Used commercially on a small scale for maple syrup production. However, the buds of red maple emerge much earlier in the spring changing the chemical makeup of the sap imparting an undesirable flavor to the syrup. Thus red maple can only be tapped for syrup before the buds emerge. 

Eastern Redcedar

(Juniperus virginiana)

native

​

A species of juniper and considered is a pioneer species, which means that it is one of the first trees to repopulate cleared, eroded, or otherwise damaged land. It is unusually long lived among pioneer species, with the potential to live over 900 years.  The heartwood is fragrant, very light and very durable, even in contact with soil. Because of its rot resistance, the wood is used for fence posts. The aromatic wood is avoided by moths. Among many Native American cultures, the smoke of the burning cedar is used to drive away evil spirits prior to conducting a ceremony, such as a healing ceremony.