Trees
of Alabama
State Tree - The Longleaf Pine
Forest
Ecosystem Books (in association with Amazon.com)
If you can't find your tree, try this
list.
Pine Trees
| Eastern White Pine Pinus strobus (pics) |
Other Common Names | White pine, Northern white pine, Northern pine, Weymouth pine, Soft pine, American white pine, American yellow pine, Apple pine, Balsam pine, Cork pine, Pumpkin pine, Sapling pine, Silver pine, Spruce pine. |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Cones (seeds) are eaten by the yellow-bellied sapsucker,
pine siskin, pine warbler, red crossbill and red
squirrels. Beavers, porcupines, white-tailed deer, and
snowshoe hares also eat the seeds, bark and foilage. Habitat: Bald eagles prefer the white pine tree for nesting sites. |
|
| Other Links | Tech Sheet USGS Climate-Vegetation Atlas (pdf format) UConn Plant Database data Info from Ohio Division of Forestry Nurseries selling white pines |
|
| Sand Pine (pics) Pinus clausa Not native to Alabama |
Other Common Names | Scrub pine, Spruce pine, Ocala sand pine, Choctawhatchee sand pine |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The seeds are eaten by small birds and mammals like wild
turkey, bobwhite quail, fox squirrel, gray squirrel, and
mourning dove. Habitat: The canopy is used by woodpeckers, songbirds, and birds of prey, as well as grey and flying squirrels. The Florida Scrub Jay (endangered) also nests in these trees. |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Info from NCSU Fire Effects Information |
|
| Loblolly Pine (pics) Pinus taeda Books on Loblolly pine at Amazon.com |
Other Common Names | Oldfield pine, North Carolina pine, Arkansas soft pine, Shortleaf pine, Shortstraw pine, Yellow pine. |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The seeds are eaten by songbirds and small mammals. Habitat: White-tailed deer, gray squirrel, fox squirrel, bobwhite quail, and wild turkey use the loblolly for shelter. The red-cockaded woodpeckers, pine warbler, brown-headed nuthatch, and Bachman's warbler use the loblolly for shelter and nest sites. Cavities in standing dead trees are used as nests for woodpeckers. The ospreys and the bald eagle also use the loblolly for nesting. |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Short Description of the Loblolly Nurseries that sell Loblolly Pine |
|
| Longleaf Pine (pics) Pinus palustris |
Other Common Names | Longstraw, Yellow, Southern yellow, Swamp, Hard or Heart, Pitch, and Georgia pine |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The seeds are eaten by bobwhite, mourning dove and other
small birds and animals. Squirrels will eat the seeds
before they ripen. Habitat: The longleaf pine is the primary habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker. The Gopher tortoise and Sherman's fox squirrel are part of the longleaf's ecosystem. |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Short description of the Longleaf Pine tree More information with images Nurseries that sell Loblolly Pine Short history of the Heart pine |
|
| Jack Pine (pics) Pinus banksiana Not native to Alabama |
Other Common Names | Scrub, Banksian, or Hudson Bay pine |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food: Habitat: |
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| Other Links | ||
| Shortleaf Pine (pics) Pinus echinata |
Other Common Names | Shortleaf yellow, Southern yellow, Oldfield, Shortstraw, or Arkansas soft pine |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The seeds are eaten by small birds and mammals. Deer eat
seedlings. Habitat: Wild turkey and bobwhite quail use the cover of the shortleaf. The red-cackaded woodpecker use cavities in these trees for shelter and nesting. |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Fact sheet with pics Images from the Noble Foundation gallery |
|
| Slash Pine (pics) Pinus elliottii |
Other Common Names | Southern pine, Yellow slash pine, Swamp pine, Pitch pine, and Cuban pine |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The seeds are eaten by small birds and mammals. Deer eat
seedlings. Habitat: The red-cackaded woodpecker use cavities in these trees for shelter and nesting. |
|
| Other Links | Introductory Information Planting Information Fact Sheet with cone and bark pics Information from Purdue University Slash Pine Plantation in FL |
|
| Spruce Pine (pics) Pinus glabra |
Other Common Names | Cedar pine, Walter pine, or Bottom white pine |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Seeds are eaten by Northern bobwhite and squirrels. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Fact Sheet with pics |
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| Table Mountain Pine (pics) Pinus pungens Not native to Alabama |
Other Common Names | Hickory pine, Mountain pine, Prickly pine, Squirrel pine. |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Red squirrels eat the seeds. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | Description | |
| Red Pine (pics) Pinus resinosa Not native to Alabama |
Other Common Names | Norway pine, Hard pine |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
White-tailed deer and snow-shoe hares eat the saplings.
Red squirrels, chipmunks, mice, red crossbills, pine
grosbeaks, and pine siskins eat the seeds. Habitat: |
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| Other Links | ||
| Pitch Pine (pics) Pinus rigida Not native to Alabama |
Other Common Names | Southern pine, Black pine, Torch pine |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Deer, cottontail rabbits, and meadow mice eat the sprouts
and seedlings. Red squirrels, quail, chickadees, juncos,
and mice eat the seeds. Habitat: |
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| Other Links | ||
| Pond Pine (pics) Pinus serotina |
Other Common Names | Marsh pine, Pocosin pine, Bay pine |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Deer eat on the sprouts and seedlings. Birds and rodents
eat the seeds. Habitat: Pond pine stands provide nesting for the red-cockaded woodpeckers and also provide for many wetland species. |
|
| Other Links | Fact sheet with pics USDA Forest Service FEIS Information |
|
| Virginia Pine (pics) Pinus virginiana |
Other Common Names | Jersey pine, Scrub pine, Spruce pine, Poverty Pine |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Deer browse the seedlings. Many songbirds and small
mammals eat the seeds. Habitat: Old and decaying trees are a favorite nesting sites for woodpeckers. Also serves as habitat for pine siskins and pine grosbeaks. |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Fact sheet with pics Wood characteristics Caring for the Virginia pine FEIS Database |
Hemlock Trees
| Eastern Hemlock
(pics) and more images Tsuga canadensis |
Other Common Names | Hemlock, Canadian Hemlock |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Yellow-bellied sapsucker Habitat: Hemlock forests create streams that are more suitable for aquatic invertebrates. |
|
| Other Links | Growing eastern hemlocks Description of Hemlock forest ecology |
Cypress Trees
| Baldcypress (pics) Taxodium distichum |
Other Common Names | Cypress, Southern -cypress, Swamp-cypress, Red-cypress, Yellow-cypress, White-cypress, Tidewater red-cypress, or Gulf-cypress |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Baldcypress seeds are eaten by wild turkeys, squirrels,
evening grosbeaks, and wood ducks; they are a minor part
of the diet of other waterfowl and wading birds; and they
were an important food for the now-extinct Carolina
parakeet. Yellow-throated warblers forage in the Spanish
moss or resurrection fern (Polypodium polypodioides)
often found on old trees. Habitat: Large old baldcypress furnish unique habitats for some wildlife. Bald eagles and ospreys nest in the tops. Prothonotary warblers achieve their highest densities in baldcypress-tupelo stands where they find nesting cavities in old decaying baldcypress knees. Catfish spawn in submerged hollow cypress logs. |
|
| Other Links | UDSA Forest Service Fact sheet with pics |
Cedar Trees
| Atlantic White Cedar (pic) Chamaecyparis thyoides |
Other Common Names | Southern white-cedar, White cedar, False cypress, Swamp cedar |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food: Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Fact sheet with pics |
|
| Eastern Red Cedar (pic) more images Juniperus virginiana |
Other Common Names | Red juniper, Red cedar, Savin, Cedar, Juniper bush |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food: Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Fact sheet with pics Purdue University information |
Cottonwood Trees
| Eastern Cottonwood (pics): tree leaves fruit Populus deltoides |
Other Common Names | Eastern poplar, Cottonwood, Carolina poplar, Whitewood |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Rodents and small mammals eat the seedlings and saplings. Habitat: Beavers use the wood for dams and lodges. |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Fact sheet with images FEIS database |
|
| Swamp Cottonwood
(pics) Populus heterophylla |
Other Common Names | Swamp poplar, Cottonwood, Black cottonwood, River cottonwood |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food: Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Fact sheet with images |
Willow Trees
| Black Willow (pics) Salix nigra |
Other Common Names | Swamp willow, Crack willow |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The buds and flowering catkins are eaten by birds. The
twigs and leaves are eaten by deer. Rodents eat the bark
and buds. An early source of nectar for insects. Habitat: Some small birds use the trees for nesting sites. |
|
| Other Links | Ohio Forestry Description DCNR Description FEIS Database Fact Sheet with images Medical uses USDA Forest Service |
Hickory Trees
| Water Hickory Images: Bark and Nuts Carya aquatica |
Other Common Names | Swamp hickory, Bitter pecan, Pignut hickory |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The nuts are eaten by many birds. Wood ducks, squirrels,
and other small mammals eat the nuts. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Fact Sheet from the National PLANTS database Description with images |
|
| Bitternut Hickory Images Carya cordiformis |
Other Common Names | Swamp hickory, Pig hickory, Pignut, Bitter pecan tree, Bitter pignut, White hickory, Red-heart hickory, Yellowbud hickory |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
As with all hickory nuts, they are an important source of
food for squirrels and other wildlife. However, since the
nuts are bitter, they are generally not a first choice
for squirrels. Beavers, rabbits and small rodents may
sometimes eat the tree bark. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Description and distribution in Oklahoma Fact sheet with images Ohio Division of Forestry description FEIS Database |
|
| Pignut Hickory
(pics) Carya glabra |
Other Common Names | Bitternut, Black hickory, Brown hickory, Red hickory |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The nuts are eaten by squirrels. Nuts and flowers are
eaten by wild turkeys and birds. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service FEIS Database Fact Sheet with images Short description with images |
|
| Shellbark Hickory (images) Carya laciniosa Search for Carya laciniosa on Dogpile |
Other Common Names | Bigleaf shagbark hickory, Big shellbark, Kingnut |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The nuts are largely eaten by squirrels and chipmunks and
to a lesser degree by black bears, gray and red foxes,
rabbits, and white-footed mice plus bird species such as
mallards, wood ducks, bobwhites, and wild turkey. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Physical description OPLIN Description Fact sheet with images Buy this tree at NADF |
|
| Nutmeg Hickory
(pics) Carya myristicaeformis The Nutmeg Hickory is on the NC threatened plants list. |
Other Common Names | Bitter water hickory, Swamp hickory, Pecan |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Squirrels and other small rodents eat the nuts. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Description at GardenBed.com |
|
| Shagbark Hickory
(images) Carya ovata |
Other Common Names | Carolina hickory, Scalybark hickory, Shellbark hickory |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The nuts are largely eaten by squirrels and chipmunks and
to a lesser degree by black bears, gray and red foxes,
rabbits, and white-footed mice plus bird species such as
mallards, wood ducks, bobwhites, and wild turkey. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service FEIS Database Fact sheet with images |
|
| Mockernut Hickory (images) Carya tomentosa |
Other Common Names | Whiteheart hickory, Bullnut, White hickory, Hognut |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The nuts are largely eaten by squirrels and chipmunks and
to a lesser degree by black bears, gray and red foxes,
rabbits, and white-footed mice plus bird species such as
mallards, wood ducks, quail, and wild turkey. Deer
sometimes browse the leaves, twigs and nuts. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | FEIS Database USDA Forest Service Texas A&M Univ. Description NC State Univ. Description Virginia Tech. Fact Sheet |
Birch Trees
| Sweet Birch images Betula lenta |
Other Common Names | Black birch, Cherry birch, spice birch, river birch, mahogany birch, mountain-mahogany |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Ruffed grouse feed on buds and seeds, deer and rabbits
browse the twigs. The birch tubemaker, birch
skeletonizer, oriental moth, gypsy moth, and dusky birch
sawfly eat the leaves. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service UConn Database (w/pics) Information from Purdue Fact Sheet |
|
| River Birch (images) Betula nigra |
Other Common Names | Red birch, Black birch, Water birch |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
A number of species of birds eat river birch seeds
including ruffed grouse and wild turkey. White-tailed
deer browse river birch. Habitat: The bottomland hardwoods in which river birch occurs are prime wildlife habitat, providing nesting sites for waterfowl, and food and cover for many animals. |
|
| Other Links | NSDA Forest Service Univ. Conn. Database FEIS Database Description Ohio Univ. Description Care Instructions |
Oak Trees
Drawings of
different oak leaves
Images
of oak leaves
Help to identify
this oak
| White Oak (images) Quercus alba |
Other Common Names | Fork-leaf white oak, Ridge white oak, Stave oak, American oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Numerous birds and mammals use oak acorns as food; among
them are squirrels, blue jays, crows, red-headed
woodpeckers, deer, black bear, turkey, quail, mice,
chipmunks, ducks, and raccoons. White oak twigs and
foliage are browsed by deer. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | Description Univ. Conn. Database Some historical accounts www.albion.edu bluehen.ags.udel.edu Fact sheet with images |
|
| Scarlet Oak (images) Quercus coccinea Muenchh. |
Other Common Names | Black oak, Spanish oak, Spotted oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Acorns are eaten by eastern gray squirrels, chipmunks,
mice, wild turkey, deer, black bear, and birds,
especially blue jays and red-headed woodpeckers. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Fact sheet with photos Univ. Conn. Database FEIS Database www.discoverlife.org |
|
| Durand Oak
(pics) Quercus durandii How the Durand oak got it's name. (very interesting) |
Other Common Names | Bluff oak, Durand white oak, White oak, Basket oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The seeds (acorns) are eaten by many birds and animals
such as squirrels, blue jays, crows, red-headed
woodpeckers, deer, black bear, turkey, quail, mice,
chipmunks, ducks, and raccoons. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Database |
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| Southern Red Oak
(photos) Quercus falcata |
Other Common Names | Red oak, Spanish oak, Water oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The acorns are eaten by waterfowl, wild turkey, blue jay,
red-headed and red-bellied woodpeckers, white-breasted
nuthatch, common grackle, raccoon, white-tailed deer, and
squirrels. Red oak acorns do not germinate soon after
falling to the ground like the white oak acorns, and thus
are the ideal winter food for wildlife. Red oak acorns
are second in preference for fox squirrels. Habitat: The red oak provides cover and nesting sites for birds and mammals. |
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| Other Links | Fact sheet with photos Description FEIS Database USDA Forest Service Fact Sheet with photos |
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| Cherrybark Oak (image) Quercus falcata var. pagodaefolia |
Other Common Names | Bottomland red oak, Elliot oak, Red oak, Swamp oak, Swamp Spanish oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The acorns are eaten by squirrels, chipmunks and other
small rodents. Deer and rabbits may eat seedlings. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | Description Description with images Description with images Description and many other details |
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| Turkey Oak
(pics) Quercus laevis Walt. |
Other Common Names | Scrub oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The acorns are eaten by birds and mammals such as the
black bear, white-tailed deer, fox squirrel, scrub jay,
northern bobwhite, and wild turkey. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | Fact sheet with images FEIS Database USDA Forest Service |
|
| Laurel Oak (images) Quercus laurifolia Michx. |
Other Common Names | Darlington oak, Laurel-leaved oak, Water oak, Swamp laurel oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The consistent and abundant acorn crops are an important
food source for many animals, including white-tailed
deer, raccoon, squirrels, wild turkey, ducks, quail,
smaller birds, and rodents. Laurel oak ranked second in
quantity and frequency of acorns consumed by wild turkey
in Florida. In a study of the 10 most heavily used winter
foods of deer in Florida, laurel oak acorns rated fifth,
sixth, and seventh in a 6-year period. Deer also browse
on the seedlings. Acorns of the black oak group do not
germinate until spring, unlike those of the white oak
group, and are an important winter food source. Habitat: |
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| Other Links | USDA Forest Service A photo Fact sheet with photos Quick facts More info Champion Trees FEIS Database |
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| Overcup Oak (images) Quercus lyrata Walt. |
Other Common Names | Swamp post oak, Swamp white oak, Water white oak, White oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Ducks, wild turkeys, squirrels, and white-tailed deer eat
overcup oak acorns. The large size of overcup oak acorns
renders them less suitable for duck food than other
acorns. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | FEIS Database Fact sheet with photos Info from Auburn Univ. with photos |
|
| Bur Oak (images) Quercus macrocarpa Michx. |
Other Common Names | Blue oak, Mossycup oak, Mossy-over-cup oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Bur oak foliage is a common and important constituent of
cattle diets and for white-tailed and mule deer in the
Black Hills, South Dakota. Cattle, horses, and sheep eat
the seedlings. Many birds and mammals eat bur oak acorns
including squirrels, deer, wood ducks, blue jays, and
cows. Rodents and blue jays frequently cache the acorns
for later use, thereby facilitating seed dispersal. Habitat: Bur oak provides hiding cover and nesting sites for many birds and mammals. Red-tailed hawks, screech owls, fox squirrels, and flying squirrels nest in large bur oaks. |
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| Other Links | bluehen.ags.udel.edu Univ. Conn. Description Scanning Electron images of pollen USDA Forest Service Fact sheet with photos FEIS Database |
|
| Blackjack Oak (images) Quercus marilandica Muenchh. A very small and slow-growing oak tree. |
Other Common Names | Barren oak, Black oak, Jack oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
As with any oak, the acorns are eaten by small mammals
and birds. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | Oklahoma Biosurvey USDA Database Fact Sheet with photos FEIS Database |
|
| Swamp Chestnut Oak (images) Quercus michauxii Nutt. |
Other Common Names | Basket oak, Cow oak, White oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Many small mammals and birds eat the acorns including
squirrels, white-tailed deer, black bear, red fox, wild
turkey, northern bobwhite, waterfowl, and chickens. Cows
are fond of the acorns, however, if eaten in large
quantities, tannins in the acorns can poison livestock. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | Auburn Univ. Description USDA Forest Service Oklahoma Description FEIS Database |
|
| Chinkapin Oak (drawing) Quercus muhlenbergii Engelm. |
Other Common Names | Chestnut oak, Rock chestnut oak, Rock oak, Yellow chestnut oak, Yellow oak, Pin oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Chinkapin oak acorns are sweet and palatable and are
eaten by squirrels, mice, voles, chipmunks, deer, turkey,
and other birds. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Database Chinkapin Oak in Florida Description |
|
| Water Oak (images) Quercus nigra L. |
Other Common Names | Possum oak, Duck oak, Pin oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Water oak acorns are eaten by many animals including
squirrels, chipmunks, waterfowl, blue jay, wild turkey,
and northern bobwhite. Blue jays and squirrels cache
acorns in the fall and return to eat them in the winter.
Deer browse water oak. Habitat: The red-bellied woodpecker, great crested flycatcher, and hairy woodpecker nest in cavities of the water oak trees. Water oak within a pine forest provides habitat for the southern flying squirrel. |
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| Other Links | USDA Database FEIS Database Fact sheet with photos |
|
| Willow Oak (images) Quercus phellos L KWER-kus-FEL-os |
Other Common Names | Peach oak, Pin oak, Swamp willow oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The acorns are a food source for waterfowl, wild turkey,
blue jays, red-headed and red-bellied woodpeckers,
flickers, grackles, white-tailed deer, fox and gray
squirrels, and other small rodents. Willow oak is
considered good browse for white-tailed deer. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | Fact sheet with images USDA Forest Service FEIS Database More photos Photo Slides |
|
| Chestnut Oak
(pics) Quercus prinus Engelm |
Other Common Names | Rock oak, Rock chestnut oak, White oak, Basket oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The acorns are eaten by white-tailed deer, squirrels,
chipmunks, mice, and wild turkeys. White-tailed deer
occasionally browse young oak sprouts. Habitat: Small birds and mammals, as well as insects such as bees, use chestnut oak cavities for nesting. |
|
| Other Links | Fact sheet with photos Photo of leaves FEIS Database USDA Forest Service |
|
| Northern Red Oak
(images) Quercus rubra KWER-kus RU-bra |
Other Common Names | Gray oak, Eastern red oak, Red oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The white-footed mouse, eastern chipmunk, fox squirrel,
gray squirrel, red squirrel, white-tailed deer, flying
squirrels, and deer mice consume northern red oak acorns.
Birds that eat the acorns are the bobwhite, red-headed
woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, blue jay, tufted
titmouse, grackle, white-breasted nuthatch, sapsuckers,
quail, ruffed grouse, turkey ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed
grouse, ring-necked pheasant, wild turkey, eastern crow,
northern flicker, grackle, blue jay, brown thrasher,
tufted titmouse, starling, lesser prairie chicken,
chickadees, nuthatches, and other songbirds. Acorns are
also important food sources for various waterfowl such as
the golden-eye, gadwall, wood duck, hooded merganser,
mallard, American pintail, black duck, redhead, and
green-winged teal. Habitat: Many cavity nesters, such as the red-bellied and hairy woodpecker, utilize northern red oak. |
|
| Other Links | FEIS Database USDA Forest Service Leaf images Fact sheet with photos |
|
| Shumard Oak (pics) Quercus shumardii |
Other Common Names | |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Shumark acorns are eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys,
waterfowl, white-tailed deer, and various species of
squirrels. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service FEIS Database UAH Description Fact sheet with images |
|
| Post Oak (images) Quercus stellata |
Other Common Names | Iron oak, Box white oak, White oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The acorns are eaten by wild turkey, white-tailed deer,
squirrels, and many other rodents. The tannin in leaves,
buds, and acorns is toxic to sheep, cattle, and goats. Habitat: Leaves are used for nest building by birds, squirrels, and raccoons. Cavities provide nests and dens for various birds and mammals. |
|
| Other Links | Fact sheet with photos USDA Forest Service FEIS Database |
|
| Black Oak (images) Quercus velutina |
Other Common Names | Smooth-bark oak, Yellow oak, Quercitron oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The acorns are eaten by squirrels, white-tail deer, mice,
voles, turkeys, and other birds. In Illinois, fox
squirrels have been observed feeding on black oak
catkins. Habitat: Cavities in black oak trees is used for nesting by wildlife. |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Fact Sheet with photos FEIS Database |
|
| Live Oak
(images) Quercus virginiana Mill. |
Other Common Names | Virginia live oak |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Acorns are an important food source for many birds and
mammals, including northern bobwhite, Florida scrub jay,
mallard, sapsuckers, wild turkey, black bear, squirrels,
and white-tailed deer. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | Fact Sheet with photos FEIS Database USDA Forest Service |
Elm Trees
| Winged Elm (images) Ulmus alata Michx. |
Other Common Names | Cork elm, Witch elm, Water elm, Southern elm |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The mast from winged elm is eaten by birds and animals,
and the twigs and leaves are important for white-tailed
deer. Both twigs and leaves are most succulent,
nutritious, and digestible during spring and are less
useful as food the rest of the year. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | Fact Sheet with photos USDA Forest Service Auburn Univ. data with photos UF Horticulture Department Fact Sheet (pdf) |
|
| American Elm
(pics) Ulmus americana L. |
Other Common Names | White elm, Gray elm |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The seeds are eaten by a number of small birds. The
flowerbud, flower, and fruit are eaten by mice,
squirrels, oppossum, ruffed grouse, northern bobwhite,
and Hungarian partridge. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | Univ. Conn. Plant Database USDA Forest Service Fact Sheet with photos FEIS Database |
|
| Slippery Elm (images) Ulmus rubra Muhl. |
Other Common Names | Red elm, Gray elm, Soft elm, Moose elm |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The seeds are eaten by birds and small animals. Deer and
rabbits browse the twigs. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | Medicinal use and how to grow Fact Sheet with photos FEIS Database USDA Forest Service |
|
| September Elm
(images) Ulmus serotina Sarg. |
Other Common Names | Red elm |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The seeds of September and other elms are eaten by a
variety of birds and small mammals, including squirrels.
Twigs and buds are sometimes browsed by deer, and a few
game birds eat the buds. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Short Description Oklahoma Description North American Tree Guide description |
Magnolia Trees
| Fraser Magnolia
(images N/A) Magnolia fraseri Walt. |
Other Common Names | Mountain magnolia, Ear-leaf cucumber tree, Long-leaved cucumber tree |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food: Habitat: Wildlife use larger defective trees of Fraser magnolia as den trees. |
|
| Other Links | USDA Forest Service Fact Sheet |
|
| Southern Magnolia (flower flower bud stipule) Magnolia grandiflora L. |
Other Common Names | Bull-bay, Evergreen magnolia, Magnolia, Larel-leaved magnolia |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Southern magnolia seeds are eaten by squirrels, opossum,
quail, and the wild turkey. Habitat: Southern magnolia provides cover for many small birds and mammals. |
|
| Other Links | UCONN Description Awesome video of flower Photos showing the flower's evolution Univ. of Alabama in Huntsville description FEIS Database Fact Sheet with photos Auburn Univ. description USDA Forest Service |
|
| Bigleaf Magnolia
(images) Magnolia macrophylia Michx. |
Other Common Names | Large-leaf magnolia, Great-leaved cucumber tree, Great-leaved magnolia, Large-leaved umbrella tree, Cucumber-tree, Cowcumber tree |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Some small aminals and birds may eat the seeds. Habitat: |
|
| Other Links | Fact sheet with images |
Maple Trees
| Red Maple (images) Acer rubrum L. |
Other Common Names | Swamp maple, Soft maple, Water maple, White maple |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
White-tailed deer, moose, elk, and snowshoe hare browse
on the trees. Small birds eat the winged seeds off the
trees. Habitat: The screech owl, pileated woodpecker, and common flicker nest in cavities in many species of maple. Also, wood ducks use cavities in the river floodplain communities. |
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| Other Links | FEIS Database University of Conn. USDA Forest Service Fact Sheet with photos |
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| Silver Maple (images) Acer saccharium L. |
Other Common Names | Soft maple, River maple, White maple, Silverleaf maple |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Many birds and small mammals eat the seeds for food. Habitat: Provides nesting for birds, especially robins. |
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| Other Links | Planting and care More photos Fact Sheet with images USDA Forest Service |
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| Sugar Maple
(pics) Acer saccharum Marsh. |
Other Common Names | Hard maple, Rock maple, Sugar-tree, Sweet maple, Sugar maple |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Browsed by white-tailed deer, moose, and snowshoe hare.
The red squirrel, gray squirrel, and flying squirrels
feed on the seeds, buds, twigs, and leaves. The porcupine
consumes the bark and can. Habitat: Numerous species of songbirds nest in sugar maple. Cavity nesters such as the black-capped chickadee excavate nest cavities or utilize preexisting cavities. The common flicker, pileated woodpecker, and screech owl also nest in maples. |
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| Other Links | FEIS Database University of Conn. Fact sheet with photos USDA Forest Service |
Ash Trees
| White Ash (images) Fraxinus americana L. |
Other Common Names | Biltmore ash, Biltmore white ash, Smallseed white ash |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
The winged seeds are eaten by wood duck, bob white,
purple finch, pine grosbeak, and fox squirrel. Rabbits,
beaver, and porcupine occasionally use the bark of young
trees for food. Habitat: Red-headed, red-bellied, and pileated woodpeckers will nest in cavities, after which wood ducks, owls, nuthatches, and gray squirrels will use these abandoned cavities. |
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| Other Links | USDA Forest Service FEIS Database Medicinal Uses Fact Sheet with images Floridata Silvics of North America |
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| Carolina Ash
(pics) Fraxinus caroliniana Mill. |
Other Common Names | Florida ash, Pop ash, Swamp ash, Water ash |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food: Habitat: |
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| Other Links | Fact Sheet with images Apparently not much info on the web |
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| Green Ash (images) Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. |
Other Common Names | Darlington ash, White ash, Swamp ash, Water ash, Red ash |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food:
Deer browse the trees. The seeds are eaten by many birds
and animals. Habitat: Stands of Green Ash trees provide valuable habitat for deer, sharptail grouse, squirrels, coyotes, rabbits, racoons and porcupines and several species of small mammals. |
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| Other Links | FEIS Database USDA Forest Service Fact Sheet with images University of Delaware |
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| Blue Ash
(images) Fraxinus quadrangulata Michx. |
Other Common Names | Mountain ash, White ash |
| Benefits to wildlife | Food: Habitat: |
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| Other Links | Fact Sheet with images Description of University of Conn. |
Miscellaneous Nut Trees