Thread by @roving_brah

COMMON TREES OF THE SOUTHEASTERN US AND SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS

A lot of outdoorsy people don't know their trees. That's a shame. This thread is an introduction to common species and some of their identifiable characteristics. (leaf shape, bark, etc.)

All images taken by me.

For the sake of readability trees will be categorized into 5 general categories: OAKS, HICKORIES, CONIFERS, OTHER, and INVASIVES.

1. Oaks

White Oak
Quercus alba

White oaks are found mostly on ridges and by creeks in hollows. Rarely found in bottomlands. Its leaves are characterized by their rounded ends, its bark is shaggy and light grey. Acorns are important to wildlife and I often look for these when hunting.

Chestnut Oak
Quercus montana

The chestnut oak mostly grows on the tops of ridges. It has a unique "chestnut-esque" leaf shape, with rounded ends like quercus alba. Bark is light grey and has deep furrowed ridges. Acorns are large and drop relatively early in the year.

Chinkapin Oak
Quercus muehlenbergii

The chinkapin oak may grow on ridges and in hollows, rarely in bottomlands. Its bark is similar to white oak but less shaggy. Its leaves resemble chestnut oak but their lobes (the ends) are more aggressively pointed. Confusing right?

Post Oak
Quercus stellata

Post oaks grow on ridges, most often in dry, rocky places. Bark often looks very light grey, but has dark inner furrows. Leaves are easily identified by their "post"-like 90 degree split at the top of the leaf and very light undersides.

Swamp Chestnut Oak
Quercus michauxii

The swamp chestnut oak only grows in bottomlands. Common in the deep south, less so in the mid-south but still occurs. Bark is similar to white oak. Leaves have chestnut-look but many lobes. Best way to identify this tree is its location.

Overcup Oak
Quercus lyrata

Another bottomland-only species, also more common in the deep south. Bark is less shaggy than white oak and has small furrows. Leaf is characterized by its irregularly shaped rounded lobess.

Northern Red Oak
Quercus rubra

First in the red oak category, northern red oak grows on ridges and hollows. Its bark has unique furrows which are light grey and black. Its leaves have pointed lobes and are somewhat wide, especially the shade leaves. Acorns are quite distinct.

Southern Red Oak
Quercus falcata

Grows in a variety of locations. Ridges, hollows, even bottomlands. Bark is often somewhat dark grey, with its mid size furrows being flat on top. Easily identified by its irregularly shaped pointed lobe leaves which are fuzzy on the bottom.

Blackjack Oak
Quercus marilandica

Grows on ridges and in hollows. Often a smaller tree. Bark often pretty dark grey with shallow furrows. Best identified by its very large, wide, pointed lobe shade leaves. Sun leaves at top of tree are often smaller and resemble water oak.

Black Oak
Quercus velutina

Grows most often on ridges and hollows. Bark is more coarse at the bottom than northern red oak, furrows deeper. Very dark in color. Shade leaves resemble blackjack, being wide and large, but are more pointed. Sun leaves resemble northern red oak.

Scarlet Oak
Quercus coccinea

This is a confusing one. Grows on ridges. Bark is very similar to northern red oak but more coarse at bottom like black oak. Sun leaves are often thinner than NRO despite being a similar shape. Shade leaves less wide than black oak.

NOTE ON OAKS:

You may have noticed that half of these lobes are pointed and the other half are round. Oaks are split into two sections, red oak and white oak, based on this characteristic.

CONT.

You may have also noticed many of these are similar, especially red oaks. Oaks can hybridize and take on some characteristics of other species, but often you can identify them based on which features are most prominent in that individual.

2. HICKORIES

NOTE: All hickories have pretty similar leaves. The best way to identify them is the bark, and number of leaflets.

Pignut Hickory
Carya glabra

Pignut hickory is found on ridges and sometimes in hollows. Its bark is light in color (if not mossy) with furrows being flat on top and not very flaky. 90% of its leaves have 5 leaflets, but an odd one may have 7. Its fruit is rather oblong.

Mockernut Hickory
Carya tomentosa

Grows on ridges and in hollows. Bark is pretty deeply furrowed for a hickory, like black walnut but light grey. (you'll see it later) Most often has 9 leaflets, some leaves have 7. Nut is round, similar to shagbark.

Red Hickory
Carya ovalis

Grows on ridges and in hollows. Bark is very light and slightly flaky, with thin, deep furrows. Leaves resemble shape of pignut but most often has 7 leaflets, only an odd leaf may have 5. Fruit is about the size of pignut but rounder.

Bitternut Hickory
Carya cordiformis

Most often I find this in hollows, not really on ridges. Bark has very shallow furrows and is light grey. Best identified by the large number of leaflets, 9 or sometimes even more. Sorry ya'll didn't find a good nut for this one.

Shagbark Hickory
Carya ovata

Most easily identifiable hickory. Grows on ridges and in hollows. Bark is light grey and very shaggy, hence the name. Pretty much always has 5 leaflets. Supposedly can have 7 but never seen it. Nut is large with a thick husk, deep furrows.

NOTE ON HICKORIES: There are a few I missed like sand hickory, water hickory, and shellbark. I just don't usually see those in my particular location, but I would call them pretty common in the region. Here is a good resource:

extension.tennessee.edu/publications/d…

3. CONIFERS

Shortleaf Pine
Pinus echinata

Most often found on ridges in southern appalachia but is very tolerant of other growing conditions if planted. Distinct large "scales" in bark. Needles are short and pinecone is especially small.

Loblolly Pine
Pinus taeda

Grows in SE US bottomlands, but loblolly/shortleaf hybrids are planted all over, it is very tolerant of other growing conditions. Bark has scales like shortleaf, hard to differentiate. Cones are much larger than shortleaf and needles are much longer.

Virginia Pine
Pinus virginiana

Most often see this on ridges. Bark is slightly more brown than shortleaf and scales are smaller. Grows rather messily and has lots of spreading limbs toward the base of the tree. Has very short needles and small cones.

White Pine
Pinus strobus

In the southern appalachians this tree is mostly found in moist areas, mostly in creek bottoms but sometimes on ridges. Easily identified by light smooth bark toward top of the tree, and 90 degree branches. Needles grow less thick. Cones are long, thin.

Eastern Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis

Found in similar locations as white pine, moist areas only. Mostly near creeks but sometimes on ridges. Bark is light brown and slightly flaky. Needles are thick with white strip on underside.

Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana

Can grow just about anywhere but mostly in dry rocky locations. Bark is easily identifiable, papery and thin, tends to sort of flake off. Needles are thick and rather unique, "juniper" type needles I reckon you could say.

NOTE ON CONIFERS: I left out a common one in many SE US states, the bald cypress. They don't really occur in my area though. They are rather easily identifiable because of their location in bottomlands and the cypress knees that come out of their roots.

4. OTHER

American Chestnut
Castanea dentata

Ok, not common, but had to post. The famous almost extinct appalachian staple. Grew mostly in uplands from what I understand. Can find them growing out of old dead ones. Leaves are long and light green with prominent curved serrations.

Chinese Chestnut
Castanea mollissima

Only planted, since it is not native. But not invasive either, just an introduced plant. Posting so you can tell the difference between it and American. Leaves are wider, with less prominent less curved serrations. Darker green and waxy.

American Elm
Ulmus americana

Mostly a bottomland tree. Bark is very light gray, shallow, almost flaky sort of ridges. Best identified by serrated leaves, which tend to vary in wideness from shade to sun leaves and from tree to tree, but the serrations are always the same.

Smooth Alder
Alnus serrulata

Very much a bottomland tree, often found in thickets of only alders since they spread so quickly. Bark is smooth and grey, leaves are round with side veins running at a 45 degree angle and very subtle serrations on the edge of the leaf.

American Beech
Fagus grandifolia

Most often near hollows, creeks, but sometimes on sides of ridges. Bark is very smooth and light grey with lighter and darker patches across it. Leaves chestnut-esque, (same family actually) with small curved serrations, 45 degree side veins.

Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida

Seems to grow just about anywhere but has to be somewhat moist. Bark has distinct square shaped scales on it. Leaves have smooth edges and curving side veins. Little berries are red when mature and grow in small clusters.

Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis

Mostly find this tree near water but see some on the sides of ridges. Bark is grey with a slight brown tint, subtle shallow square scales. Leaves have distinct heart shape and are smooth on sides. Tree also produces distinct seed pods.

American Holly
Ilex opaca

Find this tree just about anywhere in the understory, mostly on the sides of ridges. Does not get very large, mostly a shrub. Smooth light bark. Very distinct waxy dark green pointed leaves, light, smooth underside. Produces red berries.

Black Cherry
Prunus serotina

This is a native tree. Doesn't usually get very large. Found on ridges. Smooth bark, can be papery. Not usually sideways but my example was. Leaves have subtle small serrations, dark green. Slightly waxy. If you crush them they smell like cherries.

Red Maple
Acer rubrum

Can grow seemingly anywhere. Most common tree in the US. When mature, bark is quite dark, furrows sort of twist upwards on very mature examples. Leaves are serrated on the edges. Sun leaves have only 3 points.

Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum

Tends to only grow somewhat near water. Bark is lighter than red maple on average. Edges of leaves are NOT serrated going up towards points, but smooth. Has more points in leaf than red maple.

Boxelder Maple
Acer negundo

Tend to find this along fencelines, in sort of shrubby new growth areas. Bark is light gray with medium furrows, furrows shaped similar to red maple. Leaves distinctly shaped, coming to a "claw" kind of shape. Vaguely resemble poison ivy.

Black Walnut
Juglans nigra

Grows just about anywhere. Dark bark has distinct deep furrows that twist up tree, even on younger examples. Has distinct leaves with many leaflets, slight serrations. Almost similar to hickory but many more leaflets. Fruit is very large and round.

Hop Hornbeam
Ostrya virginiana

Find this near creeks most often. Bark is light grey and sort of flaky. (sorry I was lazy here) Leaves resemble beech but serrations are more irregular, with a pattern of 2 small serrations then a large. Distinct drooping seeds look like hops.

American Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana

Can grow anywhere. Very habitat tolerant. Bark often is dark with distinct chunky scales but can be slightly lighter with less distinct scales. Leaf has smooth edges and comes to a single drooping point. Fruit is orange when mature.

Black Gum
Nyssa sylvatica

Another habitat generalist. Bark similar to a persimmon, but scales can be less pronounced. Leaves also similar to a persimmon, with the difference being black gum leaves are rounder and wider. Still smooth with same vein pattern. Fruit is a small berry

Green Ash
Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Grows near water. This example had weird bark. It is usually not this deeply furrowed. It is mostly light gray with flat faced ridges above furrows. Leaves are compound with 5+ leaflets, vary in serration. Hard to find mature due to ash borer.

Sourwood
Oxydendrum arboreum

See this tree most often on moist ridges and down in hollows in the mountains. When mature, bark has pretty thin deep furrows with blocky ridges. Leaves have almost persimmon-like venation and point but are longer and slightly serrated.

Sassafras
Sassafras albidum

Not really on tops of ridges or in creeks, likes flat benches on sides of ridges usually. Bark is deeply furrowed and slightly brown. Almost like walnut but ridges are blockier. Has distinct leaf, which usually has 3 points but varies in sun leaves.

Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua

Forester's nightmare. IYKYK. Grows literally anywhere, no exaggeration. Often found in understory of pine plantations. Deeply furrowed light gray bark. Very distinct star shaped leaf with slight serrations on edges.

Tulip Poplar
Liriodendron tulipifera

Tennessee state tree. Likes growing where it's somewhat moist but pretty habitat tolerant. Bark has medium furrows that get less deep up the tree. Very distinctly shaped, large, 4 pointed leaf. Purty flowers.

American Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis

Grows in bottomlands and near creeks. Needs good amount of moisture. Bark is distinctly flaky, flakes off more and more towards top of tree. Leaves bear a vague resemblance to maple but are much larger and have a fuzzy underside.

Honey Locust
Gleditsia triacanthos

Grows near creeks and needs moisture. Bark has distinct large thorns on it. Leaves are compound with many rounded leaflets. Twigs sometimes have distinct little groove in the middle of them.

Black Locust
Robinia pseudoacacia

Usually grows in similar spots to honey locust. Very similar looking, except it does not have the spines on the trunk of the tree. It has some spines but on the base of the leaves. Leaves similar to honey locust as well. Not easy to tell apart.

Black Willow
Salix nigra

Bottomland only species, usually right next to water if not in it. Often grows in disturbed areas. Mature bark somewhat flaky looking. Leaves very thin and subtly serrated on edges. Can spread quickly and create willow thickets around water.

Winged Sumac
Rhus copallinum

Not much of a tree, pretty shrubby, but very common so figured I'd add it. Grows very often in disturbed areas, roadsides, clearcuts, etc. Leaves have very distinct flat ridge running between them. Has bright purplish berries.

5. INVASIVES

I implore everyone to read this part (if you've gotten this far) as there are a few invasives that look very similar to native trees.

Tree of Heaven
Ailanthus altissima

Grows anywhere. Looks like black walnut, a valuable native tree. Bark is light grey, not dark. Leaves similar, but can be differentiated by the lack of serration and point at the base of some leaves. Black walnuts NEVER have that structure.

Autumn Olive
Elaeagnus umbellata

Once again, grows anywhere. Common around powerlines. Light grey bark, mostly a shrub, doesn't get very large. Leaves identified by powdery looking white speckles on them and very light undersides. Has edible white dotted red berries.

Chinese Privet
Ligustrum sinense

Grows anywhere like most invasives. Tends to form impenetrable thickets in some areas. Bark light gray and smooth. Leaves somewhat waxy and alternate with smooth edges. Berries green when immature and very dark purple when mature.

Mimosa or Persian Silk Tree
Albizia julibrissin

Grows anywhere, often in disturbed areas, by highways, train tracks, parking lots, etc. Often planted but I think they look ugly as shit. Light smooth bark. Very distinct leaves. Grows pink silky flowers earlier in the summer.

Empress Tree
Paulownia tomentosa

Found this one on a ridge but haven't seen many of these. Likely grow anywhere. Look a lot like redbud but are differentiated by the leaf not being a perfect heart shape, jutting off a tad to the side. Also have these weird looking nuts.

ENDING NOTE:

If you read this entire thing you're a real one. If you happen to be a dendrology nerd who thinks I got something wrong feel free to call me out, but I researched all these pretty diligently to double check my own knowledge. If you have tree questions DMs are open.