Here are the answers to yesterday’s tree trunk quiz. How did you do?

American sycamore, Platanus occidentalis

One of the largest trees in Eastern North America. The white, mottled upper trunks and branches make it one of the most recognizable of our trees, especially in winter.

American hornbeam, Carpinus caroliniana

I have always called this distinctive tree, ironwood, due to its dense, hard wood. The fluted trunk does look muscular, hence the name musclewood. Blue beech is another name I have heard for this generally small understory tree.

Hackberry, Celtis species

This one caused some of you some trouble. And, truth be told, I am not sure which of the two common species of this tree I photographed. The two found along this trail are C. laevigata and C. occidentalis, now known as Southern and Northern Hackberry, or Sugaberry. I think they are best told apart buy their leaves (and, those aren’t available right now). Both are characterized by warty knobs on the trunk, which can be sparse or dense (like this one). This one was in the floodplain, so I think it might be C. laevigata.

Flowering dogwood, Cornus florida

Our state flower (and the state tree of Virginia and Missouri), the flowering dogwood is a favorite, especially in spring. The red berries are a very important food source for many species of wildlife from bluebirds and turkeys to squirrels. As one person commented, she had learned that the bark looks like alligator skin. A co-worker said she learned the pattern looks like Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food.

Sourwood, Oxydendrum arboreum

The bark is deeply furrowed, and the tree trunk almost always leans, supposedly toward a former light gap in the tree canopy. The white spikes of flowers at the tips of the branches and the sour taste of the leaves are distinctive.

American beech, Fagus grandifolia

One of my favorite trees, the American beech has smooth, gray bark, usually dotted with lichen patches. It often has a root parasite, beech drops, growing on the ground around it. This time of year, the dried leaves clinging to the branches and the elongate terminal buds are also distinctive.

Loblolly pine, Pinus taeda

Our most common local pine, the loblolly can grow to be quite large. It’s longish needles and cones are characteristic. The clouds of yellow pollen from this, and other pines, will soon be covering our woods (and cars, and…).

Shortleaf pine, Pinus echinata

The other common pine in our local woods, the shortleaf can be distinguished from loblolly by its shorter needles, smaller cones, curved or contorted branches (when looking up, compared to the straighter branches of loblolly), and the flat, scaly bark. The bark also has tiny resin dots.

Now, practice identifying trees just by looking at eye level on your next stroll in the woods. An advanced tree trunk quiz will be coming soon.

Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience.

~Hal Borland

Melissa and I try to test each other as we walk any trail this time of year with a tree trunk quiz – we try to identify trees by just looking at the trunk at eye level…no fair looking up, unless we are stumped.  I thought I would give that a try as an interpretive challenge for one of the nature trails at work. For now, I just have a few images of trees along the trail with answers on the back. Think you can identify trees just by their bark? Give it a try. I gave a hint for each with the photo caption. Answers will be provided in the next post.

Upper trunk and branches have peeling, mottled bark (looks like camouflage)

Small to medium tree with hard wood; trunk looks muscular

Bark with warty knobs; fruit is an important food source for birds and squirrels

Small tree with dense, hard wood; berries are an important food for wildlife

Small to medium tree; trunks often lean instead of growing straight up

Large tree with smooth gray bark; dried leaves remain on branches through winter

Large pine with needles about 7 inches long

Large pine; needles about 3.5 inches long; small resin pits in bark