11 trees at Lake Herrick
NOTE: All illustrations of tree leaves, flowers and petals are by Kendall Busher,a horticulture student at UGA who is also closely associated with the UGA Campus Arboretum.
Crepe Myrtle, Lagerstroemia spp.
These deciduous trees favor long, cool autumns and bloom in the summer, and they are very commonly used as ornamental plants in the South, since their flowers are so showy and bright and their bark is smooth and cinnamon-pink colored. While they usually require some amount of maintenance (such as pruning or watering) for best bloom results, they're overall very hardy and long living, as they are rapid growing, can adapt to most soils, are deer resistant and drought resistant. Many varieties of the Crepe myrtle exist, but some of the most popular ones found in southeastern North America include the Catawba, Osage and Natchez.
These deciduous trees favor long, cool autumns and bloom in the summer, and they are very commonly used as ornamental plants in the South, since their flowers are so showy and bright and their bark is smooth and cinnamon-pink colored. While they usually require some amount of maintenance (such as pruning or watering) for best bloom results, they're overall very hardy and long living, as they are rapid growing, can adapt to most soils, are deer resistant and drought resistant. Many varieties of the Crepe myrtle exist, but some of the most popular ones found in southeastern North America include the Catawba, Osage and Natchez.
American Beech, Fagus grandifolia
This tree is a slow-growing, long-living beauty that has a wide canopy and very distinctive, smooth bark. It's commonly planted in parks and golf courses, as it provides shade and turns a bright golden yellow in the fall. It grows to a height of 50 to 70 feet and a canopy up to 40 feet wide at full maturity. It is drought sensitive, but it grows in a variety of soils and produces brown beechnuts that are around an inch in diameter, which are eaten primarily by chipmunks and squirrels. Interestingly, the oldest American beech tree ever recorded was estimated to be 365 years old.
This tree is a slow-growing, long-living beauty that has a wide canopy and very distinctive, smooth bark. It's commonly planted in parks and golf courses, as it provides shade and turns a bright golden yellow in the fall. It grows to a height of 50 to 70 feet and a canopy up to 40 feet wide at full maturity. It is drought sensitive, but it grows in a variety of soils and produces brown beechnuts that are around an inch in diameter, which are eaten primarily by chipmunks and squirrels. Interestingly, the oldest American beech tree ever recorded was estimated to be 365 years old.
Loblolly Pine, Pinus taeda
Native to the east coast of North America, these are the fastest growing southern pines, as they grow around 24 inches in height per year, reaching ups to 100 feet in height and a canopy of up to 35 feet wide. They have dark-green needles and skinny, red-brown cones up to 6 inches long. They are drought tolerant and grow in a variety of soils. Its seeds are consumed by chipmunks, squirrels and other rodents, and its foliage provides shelter to many southeastern birds. Unfortunately, loblolly pines have decreased dramatically in population over the past century, as they have been over-harvested for timber use since their trunks are so thick and straight.
Native to the east coast of North America, these are the fastest growing southern pines, as they grow around 24 inches in height per year, reaching ups to 100 feet in height and a canopy of up to 35 feet wide. They have dark-green needles and skinny, red-brown cones up to 6 inches long. They are drought tolerant and grow in a variety of soils. Its seeds are consumed by chipmunks, squirrels and other rodents, and its foliage provides shelter to many southeastern birds. Unfortunately, loblolly pines have decreased dramatically in population over the past century, as they have been over-harvested for timber use since their trunks are so thick and straight.
Silver Maple, Acer sacharum
A very fast-growing tree (around 24 inches per year, like the loblolly pine), silver maples get their name from the fact that their leaves are green on top but silvery-white on the underside, It often appears that they are shimmering when wind rustles them. They grow between 50 to 80 feet tall, but their canopies are almost 2/3 times longer in width than the length of their trunks. They grow in a wide range of soils, are drought tolerant and can withstand medium levels of flooding. They have very rigorous root systems that spread out rather far, so they're usually not planted near sidewalks or other foundations. Interestingly, these trees have the largest seeds of all native maples.
A very fast-growing tree (around 24 inches per year, like the loblolly pine), silver maples get their name from the fact that their leaves are green on top but silvery-white on the underside, It often appears that they are shimmering when wind rustles them. They grow between 50 to 80 feet tall, but their canopies are almost 2/3 times longer in width than the length of their trunks. They grow in a wide range of soils, are drought tolerant and can withstand medium levels of flooding. They have very rigorous root systems that spread out rather far, so they're usually not planted near sidewalks or other foundations. Interestingly, these trees have the largest seeds of all native maples.
Tulip Poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera
Part of the magnolia family, tulip poplars are one of the tallest of the native American hardwoods. It can grow taller than 150 feet and has a rather fast growth rate of 24 inches per year. In May and June, they produce orange-green, tulip-shaped flowers, which contain a popular nectar among bees and hummingbirds, and their usually bright green leaves turn a golden yellow in the fall. In the winter, they produce samaras (which are seeds with wings) in winter. Interestingly, tulip poplars were commonly used by Native Americans to make dugouts, or small canoes.
Part of the magnolia family, tulip poplars are one of the tallest of the native American hardwoods. It can grow taller than 150 feet and has a rather fast growth rate of 24 inches per year. In May and June, they produce orange-green, tulip-shaped flowers, which contain a popular nectar among bees and hummingbirds, and their usually bright green leaves turn a golden yellow in the fall. In the winter, they produce samaras (which are seeds with wings) in winter. Interestingly, tulip poplars were commonly used by Native Americans to make dugouts, or small canoes.
Bald cypress, Taxodium distichum
These deciduous conifers are most known for their place in southern swamps and their interesting "knees" for roots. The function of their strangely shaped roots is unknown, but it's widely believed that they emerge out of the ground to obtain more oxygen. While they're common in swamps, they also grow well in parks or around lakes. They're usually planted as shade trees, since their canopies are dense and broad, reaching a width of up to 25 feet. Finally, these mysterious trees have been the subjects of many poems, including Thousand-Mile Walk by John Muir and Evangeline by Longfellow.
These deciduous conifers are most known for their place in southern swamps and their interesting "knees" for roots. The function of their strangely shaped roots is unknown, but it's widely believed that they emerge out of the ground to obtain more oxygen. While they're common in swamps, they also grow well in parks or around lakes. They're usually planted as shade trees, since their canopies are dense and broad, reaching a width of up to 25 feet. Finally, these mysterious trees have been the subjects of many poems, including Thousand-Mile Walk by John Muir and Evangeline by Longfellow.
Eastern Redbud, Cercis canadensis
Native to North America and Canada, these trees have rosy pink flowers that appear in April and reddish-purple, heart-shaped leaves that change to dark green and yellow in the fall. It's a relatively medium-sized tree, reaching up to 30 feet in height and a canopy of up to 35 feet wide at full maturity. It's a popular ornamental tree because it begins flowering at only 4 years of age. These early blossoms attract a lot of nectar-seeking insects and early season butterflies. Some songbirds eat these trees' seeds and use their irregular-shaped branches for nesting sites and materials. Interestingly, George Washington was particularly fond of these trees, noting them frequently in his diaries.
Native to North America and Canada, these trees have rosy pink flowers that appear in April and reddish-purple, heart-shaped leaves that change to dark green and yellow in the fall. It's a relatively medium-sized tree, reaching up to 30 feet in height and a canopy of up to 35 feet wide at full maturity. It's a popular ornamental tree because it begins flowering at only 4 years of age. These early blossoms attract a lot of nectar-seeking insects and early season butterflies. Some songbirds eat these trees' seeds and use their irregular-shaped branches for nesting sites and materials. Interestingly, George Washington was particularly fond of these trees, noting them frequently in his diaries.
Trident Maple, Acer buergerianum
Native to China and Japan, these trees have very distinctive, dark green, three-lobed leaves that are 2 to 4 inches long and turn yellow, red and orange in the fall. In April and May, the trees produce clusters of tiny, yellowish-green flowers with winged seeds that persist into autumn. Their seeds aren't particularly popular among birds, but the tree is a popular ornamental tree usually planted near or on lawns and can tolerate almost any urban area. They grow best in acidic, well-drained soil.
Native to China and Japan, these trees have very distinctive, dark green, three-lobed leaves that are 2 to 4 inches long and turn yellow, red and orange in the fall. In April and May, the trees produce clusters of tiny, yellowish-green flowers with winged seeds that persist into autumn. Their seeds aren't particularly popular among birds, but the tree is a popular ornamental tree usually planted near or on lawns and can tolerate almost any urban area. They grow best in acidic, well-drained soil.
River Birch, Betula nigra
While these trees naturally grow along riverbanks. they can also grow well in a variety of landscapes. It grows rapidly. up to 24 inches per year, and to a height of up to 70 feet and a canopy width of up to 60 feet. They grow well in most soils, are drought tolerant and flood tolerant. They produce brown and green catkins (flower clusters) in April and May, and after the female catkins mature they turn into tiny nutlets in May and June. Their foliage is eaten by deer and other grazers while their seeds are eaten by a variety of songbirds. Once the entire tree is mature, its cinnamon-colored bark peels and curls, and their bark makes these trees the most insect borer-resistant birch.
While these trees naturally grow along riverbanks. they can also grow well in a variety of landscapes. It grows rapidly. up to 24 inches per year, and to a height of up to 70 feet and a canopy width of up to 60 feet. They grow well in most soils, are drought tolerant and flood tolerant. They produce brown and green catkins (flower clusters) in April and May, and after the female catkins mature they turn into tiny nutlets in May and June. Their foliage is eaten by deer and other grazers while their seeds are eaten by a variety of songbirds. Once the entire tree is mature, its cinnamon-colored bark peels and curls, and their bark makes these trees the most insect borer-resistant birch.
Below is link to some virtual tours of trees around the UGA campus. Many, if not most, of the trees identified in these tours appear around Lake Herrick, as well!