White SpruceWhite Spruce1. Winter branchlet, x.2. Leaves, × 1.3. Cross-section of leaf, enlarged.4. Unopened cone, × 1.5. Partly opened cone, × 1.6. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
White Spruce
1. Winter branchlet, x.2. Leaves, × 1.3. Cross-section of leaf, enlarged.4. Unopened cone, × 1.5. Partly opened cone, × 1.6. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
1. Winter branchlet, x.2. Leaves, × 1.3. Cross-section of leaf, enlarged.4. Unopened cone, × 1.5. Partly opened cone, × 1.6. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
1. Winter branchlet, x.2. Leaves, × 1.3. Cross-section of leaf, enlarged.4. Unopened cone, × 1.5. Partly opened cone, × 1.6. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
1. Winter branchlet, x.
2. Leaves, × 1.
3. Cross-section of leaf, enlarged.
4. Unopened cone, × 1.
5. Partly opened cone, × 1.
6. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
HABIT.—A tree 50-60 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1-2 feet; forming a rather broad, open, pyramidal crown.
LEAVES.—Spirally arranged, but crowded on the upper side of the branches by the twisting of those on the under side; awl-shaped, 4-sided, incurved; dark blue-green; about 3/4 inch long; ill-scented when bruised. Persistent for several years.
FLOWERS.—April-May; monoecious; the staminate oblong-cylindrical, long-stalked, 1/2-3/4 inch long, composed of many spirally arranged, red anthers; the pistillate oblong-cylindrical, composed of broad, reddish scales (subtended by orbicular bracts) spirally arranged upon a central axis.
FRUIT.—Autumn or early winter of first season, falling soon after discharging the seeds; pendent, slender, oblong-cylindrical, nearly sessile cones, 1-2 inches long; seeds about 1/8 inch long, with large wings oblique at the apex.
WINTER-BUDS.—Broadly ovoid, obtuse, light brown, 1/8-1/4 inch long.
BARK.—Twigs smooth, gray-green, becoming orange-brown, finally dark gray-brown; thin, light gray-brown on the trunk, separating into thin, plate-like scales.
WOOD.—Light, soft, weak, straight-grained, light yellow, with sapwood of the same color.
DISTRIBUTION.—Common in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula and throughout the Upper Peninsula.
HABITAT.—Low, damp woods; banks of streams; borders of lakes; high rocky or sandy slopes; loves the cold winters.
NOTES.—A vigorous and beautiful tree in regions sufficiently cold.
Black SpruceBlack Spruce1. Winter branchlet, × 1.2. Leaves, × 2.3. Cross-sections of leaves, enlarged.4-5. Opened cones, × 1.6. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
Black Spruce
1. Winter branchlet, × 1.2. Leaves, × 2.3. Cross-sections of leaves, enlarged.4-5. Opened cones, × 1.6. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
1. Winter branchlet, × 1.2. Leaves, × 2.3. Cross-sections of leaves, enlarged.4-5. Opened cones, × 1.6. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
1. Winter branchlet, × 1.2. Leaves, × 2.3. Cross-sections of leaves, enlarged.4-5. Opened cones, × 1.6. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
1. Winter branchlet, × 1.
2. Leaves, × 2.
3. Cross-sections of leaves, enlarged.
4-5. Opened cones, × 1.
6. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
HABIT.—A small tree 20-30 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 6-10 inches; forming a narrow-based, conical, more or less irregular crown of short, slender, horizontal branches; often small and stunted.
LEAVES.—Spirally arranged, spreading in all directions; awl-shaped, 4-sided, blunt at the apex, more or less incurved; stiff; dark blue-green and glaucous; 1/8-3/8 inch long. Persistent for several years.
FLOWERS.—April-May; monoecious; the staminate subglobose, about 1/2 inch long, composed of many spirally arranged, dark red anthers; the pistillate oblong-cylindrical, composed of broad, purple scales (subtended by rounded, toothed, purple bracts) spirally arranged upon a central axis, about 1/2 inch long.
FRUIT.—Autumn of first season, but persistent on the branch for many years; pendent, ovoid, short-stalked cones, about 1 inch long; seeds about 1/8 inch long, with pale brown wings 1/2 inch long.
WINTER-BUDS.—Ovoid, acute, light red-brown, puberulous, 1/8 inch long.
BARK.—Twigs at first green and rusty-pubescent, becoming dull red-brown and rusty-pubescent; thin, gray-brown on the trunk, separating into thin, appressed scales.
WOOD.—Light, soft, weak, pale yellow-white, with thin, pure white sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Occurs sparingly in southern Michigan; more abundant in the northern portions.
HABITAT.—Cold, sphagnous bogs and swamps; shores of lakes.
NOTES.—Short-lived. Undesirable for ornamental planting. Growing to its largest size in the far north.
Norway SpruceNorway Spruce1. Branchlet with partly opened cone, × 1/2.2. Leaf, × 3.3. Cross-sections of leaves, enlarged.4. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
Norway Spruce
1. Branchlet with partly opened cone, × 1/2.2. Leaf, × 3.3. Cross-sections of leaves, enlarged.4. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
1. Branchlet with partly opened cone, × 1/2.2. Leaf, × 3.3. Cross-sections of leaves, enlarged.4. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
1. Branchlet with partly opened cone, × 1/2.2. Leaf, × 3.3. Cross-sections of leaves, enlarged.4. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
1. Branchlet with partly opened cone, × 1/2.
2. Leaf, × 3.
3. Cross-sections of leaves, enlarged.
4. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
HABIT.—A tree 50-70 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1-3 feet; forming a dense, conical, spire-topped crown of numerous, drooping branches which persist nearly to the ground.
LEAVES.—Spirally arranged along the twig; crowded; 3/4-1 inch long; rigid, curved, acute; lustrous, dark green. Persistent 5-7 years.
FLOWERS.—May; monoecious; the staminate ovoid to subglobose, long-stalked, reddish to yellowish, 3/4-1 inch long; the pistillate cylindrical, sessile, erect, 1-1/2-2 inches long.
FRUIT.—Autumn of first season; sessile, cylindrical cones 3-6 inches long, pendent from the tips of the uppermost branches; sterile scales very short, toothed; seeds red-brown, rough, 1/8 inch long, with long wings.
WINTER-BUDS.—Ovoid, acute, red-brown, not resinous, about 3/8 inch long.
BARK.—Twigs red- or orange-brown, smooth or corrugated; becoming thin and gray-brown on old trunks, slightly fissured, scaly.
WOOD.—Light, strong, tough, elastic, soft, fine-grained, white, with thick, indistinguishable sapwood.
NOTES.—Grows to a height of 120-150 feet in northern Europe and Asia. Perfectly hardy in Michigan. Easily transplanted. Adapts itself to a variety of soils and climates. Grows rapidly, but is short-lived in our country. Desirable for ornamental planting. Useful for shelter belts.
Balsam FirBalsam Fir1. Winter branchlet, × 1.2-3. Leaves, × 2.4. Cross-section of leaf, enlarged.5. Unopened cone, × 1.6. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
Balsam Fir
1. Winter branchlet, × 1.2-3. Leaves, × 2.4. Cross-section of leaf, enlarged.5. Unopened cone, × 1.6. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
1. Winter branchlet, × 1.2-3. Leaves, × 2.4. Cross-section of leaf, enlarged.5. Unopened cone, × 1.6. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
1. Winter branchlet, × 1.2-3. Leaves, × 2.4. Cross-section of leaf, enlarged.5. Unopened cone, × 1.6. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
1. Winter branchlet, × 1.
2-3. Leaves, × 2.
4. Cross-section of leaf, enlarged.
5. Unopened cone, × 1.
6. Cone-scale with seeds, × 1.
HABIT.—A slender tree 40-60 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 12-18 inches; branches in whorls of 4-6, forming a symmetrical, open crown widest at the base and tapering regularly upward.
LEAVES.—Scattered, spirally arranged in rows, on young trees extending from all sides of the branch, on old trees covering the upper side of the branch; narrowly linear, with apex acute or rounded; 1/2-1-1/4 inches long; lustrous, dark green above, pale beneath; sessile; aromatic. Persistent 8-10 years.
FLOWERS.—May; monoecious; the staminate oblong-cylindrical, yellow, 1/4 inch long, composed of yellow anthers (subtended by scales) spirally arranged upon a central axis; the pistillate oblong-cylindrical, 1 inch long, composed of orbicular, purple scales (subtended by yellow-green bracts) spirally arranged upon a central axis.
FRUIT.—Autumn of first season; oblong-cylindrical, erect, puberulous, dark purple cones, 2-4 inches long, about 1 inch thick; seeds 1/4 inch long, shorter than their light brown wings.
WINTER-BUDS.—Globose, orange-green, resinous, 1/8-1/4 inch in diameter.
BARK.—Twigs at first grayish and pubescent, becoming gray-brown and smooth; thin and smooth on young trunks, pale gray-brown and marked by swollen resin chambers; red-brown on old trunks and somewhat roughened by small, scaly plates.
WOOD.—Very light, soft, weak, coarse-grained, perishable, pale brown, with thick, lighter colored sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Occasional in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula, frequent in the northern half; abundant in the Upper Peninsula.
HABITAT.—Prefers cool, moist, rich soil; low, swampy ground; well-drained hillsides.
NOTES.—Grows rapidly. Short-lived. Easily transplanted.
HemlockHemlock1. Fruiting branch viewed from beneath, × 1/2.2. Leaf, × 3.3. Cross-section of leaf, enlarged.4. Branchlet with partly opened cone, × 1.5. Cone-scale with seeds, × 3.
Hemlock
1. Fruiting branch viewed from beneath, × 1/2.2. Leaf, × 3.3. Cross-section of leaf, enlarged.4. Branchlet with partly opened cone, × 1.5. Cone-scale with seeds, × 3.
1. Fruiting branch viewed from beneath, × 1/2.2. Leaf, × 3.3. Cross-section of leaf, enlarged.4. Branchlet with partly opened cone, × 1.5. Cone-scale with seeds, × 3.
1. Fruiting branch viewed from beneath, × 1/2.2. Leaf, × 3.3. Cross-section of leaf, enlarged.4. Branchlet with partly opened cone, × 1.5. Cone-scale with seeds, × 3.
1. Fruiting branch viewed from beneath, × 1/2.
2. Leaf, × 3.
3. Cross-section of leaf, enlarged.
4. Branchlet with partly opened cone, × 1.
5. Cone-scale with seeds, × 3.
HABIT.—A large tree 60-80 feet high, with a trunk 2-4 feet in diameter; forming a rather broad, open, somewhat irregular-pyramidal crown of slender, horizontal branches.
LEAVES.—Spirally arranged around the branch, but appearing 2-ranked by the twisting of their petioles; linear, flat, rounded at the apex; about 1/2 inch long; dark yellow-green and shining above, hoary beneath; short-petioled. Persistent about 3 years.
FLOWERS.—April-May; monoecious; the staminate axillary, short-stalked, light yellow, about 3/8 inch long, composed of subglobose clusters of stamens; the pistillate terminal, oblong, pale green, 1/8 inch long, the scales short, pinkish.
FRUIT.—Autumn of first season, gradually losing their seeds during the winter and falling the next spring; oblong-ovoid, acute, short-stalked, red-brown cones, about 3/4 inch long; seeds 1/8 inch long, with wings about twice as long.
WINTER-BUDS.—Ovoid, obtuse, red-brown, slightly puberulous, 1/16 inch long.
BARK.—Twigs at first pale brown and pubescent, becoming glabrous, gray-brown; thick, red-brown or gray on the trunk, deeply divided into narrow, rounded, scaly ridges.
WOOD.—Light, soft, weak, brittle, coarse- and crooked-grained, not durable, ill-smelling, light red-brown, with thin, darker colored sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Throughout the state, with the exception of the south-eastern portion; scarce on the east side of the state, more common on the west, becoming very abundant in Emmet County.
HABITAT.—Prefers well-drained uplands and slopes of ravines.
NOTES.—A favorite hedge plant. Useful for ornamental planting in shady situations.
Arborvitae. White CedarArborvitae. White Cedar1. Fruiting branchlet, × 1.2. Tip of branchlet, enlarged.3. Cone-scale with seeds, × 3.
Arborvitae. White Cedar
1. Fruiting branchlet, × 1.2. Tip of branchlet, enlarged.3. Cone-scale with seeds, × 3.
1. Fruiting branchlet, × 1.2. Tip of branchlet, enlarged.3. Cone-scale with seeds, × 3.
1. Fruiting branchlet, × 1.2. Tip of branchlet, enlarged.3. Cone-scale with seeds, × 3.
1. Fruiting branchlet, × 1.
2. Tip of branchlet, enlarged.
3. Cone-scale with seeds, × 3.
HABIT.—A tree 40-50 feet high, with a short, often buttressed trunk 1-2 feet in diameter, often divided into 2-3 secondary stems; forming a rather dense, wide-based, pyramidal crown.
LEAVES.—Opposite, 4-ranked, scale-like, appressed; ovate, obtuse or pointed, keeled in the side pairs, flat in the others; 1/8-1/4 inch long; yellow-green, often becoming brown in winter; strongly aromatic when crushed. Persistent 1-2 years.
FLOWERS.—April-May; usually monoecious; the staminate minute, globose, yellow, composed of 4-6 stamens arranged oppositely on a short axis; the pistillate small, oblong, reddish, composed of 8-12 scales arranged oppositely on a short axis.
FRUIT.—Early autumn of first season, but persistent on the branch through the winter; erect, short-stalked, oblong-ovoid, pale brown cones, about 1/2 inch long, composed of 8-12 loose scales; seeds 1/8 inch long, ovate, acute, winged.
WINTER-BUDS.—Naked, minute.
BARK.—Twigs yellow-green, becoming light red, finally smooth, lustrous, dark orange-brown; thin, light red-brown on the trunk, slightly furrowed or deciduous in ragged strips.
WOOD.—Light, soft, brittle, rather coarse-grained, durable, fragrant, pale yellow-brown, with thin, whitish sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Throughout the Upper Peninsula, Lower Peninsula as far south as Montcalm County.
HABITAT.—Prefers moist soil in low swamps and along river-banks.
NOTES.—Slow of growth. Tolerant of all soils and exposures. Especially useful for hedges or narrow evergreen screens.
Red Juniper. Red CedarRed Juniper. Red Cedar1. Branchlet with awl-shaped leaves, × 1.2. Tip of branchlet, showing awl-shaped leaves, enlarged.3. Fruiting branchlet with scale-like leaves, × 1.4. Tip of branchlet, showing scale-like leaves, enlarged.
Red Juniper. Red Cedar
1. Branchlet with awl-shaped leaves, × 1.2. Tip of branchlet, showing awl-shaped leaves, enlarged.3. Fruiting branchlet with scale-like leaves, × 1.4. Tip of branchlet, showing scale-like leaves, enlarged.
1. Branchlet with awl-shaped leaves, × 1.2. Tip of branchlet, showing awl-shaped leaves, enlarged.3. Fruiting branchlet with scale-like leaves, × 1.4. Tip of branchlet, showing scale-like leaves, enlarged.
1. Branchlet with awl-shaped leaves, × 1.2. Tip of branchlet, showing awl-shaped leaves, enlarged.3. Fruiting branchlet with scale-like leaves, × 1.4. Tip of branchlet, showing scale-like leaves, enlarged.
1. Branchlet with awl-shaped leaves, × 1.
2. Tip of branchlet, showing awl-shaped leaves, enlarged.
3. Fruiting branchlet with scale-like leaves, × 1.
4. Tip of branchlet, showing scale-like leaves, enlarged.
HABIT.—A medium-sized tree 30-40 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1-2 feet; forming an irregular, pyramidal or rounded crown.
LEAVES.—Opposite, of two kinds: (1) sessile, scale-like, closely appressed, overlapping, 4-ranked, ovate, acute, 1/16 inch long, (2) sessile, awl-shaped, loosely arranged, 1/4-1/2 inch long. Persistent 5-6 years.
FLOWERS.—May; usually dioecious; minute; the staminate oblong-ovoid, composed of 4-6 shield-like scales, each bearing 4-5 yellow, globose pollen sacs; the pistillate ovoid, composed of about 3 pairs of flesh, bluish scales, united at the base and bearing 2 ovules.
FRUIT.—Autumn of first or second season; subglobose, berry-like strobile, about 1/4 inch in diameter, dark blue and glaucous; flesh sweet and resinous; seeds 2-3.
WINTER-BUDS.—Naked, minute.
BARK.—Twigs greenish to red-brown and smooth; thin, light red-brown on the trunk, exfoliating lengthwise into long, narrow, persistent strips, exposing the smooth, brown inner bark.
WOOD.—Light, soft, close-grained, brittle, weak, durable, very fragrant, dull red, with thin, whitish sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Occurs sparingly throughout the state; most abundant in the southern portion.
HABITAT.—Prefers loamy soil on sunny slopes; dry, rocky hills; also borders of lakes and streams, peaty swamps.
NOTES.—Slow of growth. Long-lived. Should be transplanted with ball of earth. Tolerant of varied soils and situations.
The classification of the Willows is a task for the specialist, even when leaves and both staminate and pistillate flowers are obtainable. It is impractible for the novice to attempt the determination of species of Salix with winter characters alone. Consequently the usual winter key is omitted.
The genusSalixis represented in Michigan by thirty or more distinct species, and there are many more hybrids. The majority of these are shrubs, only a few becoming truly arborescent. Because of the similarity of their botanical characters, the frequency with which they hybridize, and the facility with which they respond to their environment only an expert is competent to identify the species so abundant along our water courses and on the banks of our lakes and swamps. The scope of this work being necessarily limited, it has been deemed best to describe but two of our native willows and two of our foreign neighbors which are frequently planted.
Black WillowBlack Willow1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1.
Black Willow
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1.
4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1.
5. Staminate flower, enlarged.
6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1.
7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1.
HABIT.—A tree 30-50 feet high, with a short trunk, 1-2 feet in diameter; stout, spreading branches form a broad, rather irregular, open crown. Often a shrub.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 3-6 inches long, 1/4-3/4 inch broad; lanceolate, very long-pointed, often curved at the tip; finely serrate; thin; bright green and rather lustrous above, paler and often hairy beneath; petioles very short, more or less pubescent.
FLOWERS.—April-May, with the leaves; dioecious; borne in crowded, slender, hairy catkins, 1-3 inches long; calyx 0; corolla 0; scales yellow, villous, stamens 3-6; ovary ovoid-conical, short-stalked, with stigmas nearly sessile.
FRUIT.—June; ovoid-conical capsule, 1/8 inch long, containing many minute seeds which are furnished with long, silky, white hairs.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds narrow-conical, acute, lustrous, red-brown, 1/8 inch long.
BARK.—Twigs glabrous or pubescent, bright red-brown, becoming darker with age; thick, dark brown or nearly black on old trunks, deeply divided into broad, flat ridges, often becoming shaggy.
WOOD.—Light, soft, weak, close-grained, light red-brown, with thin, whitish sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Common throughout the state.
HABITAT.—Banks of streams and lake-shores.
NOTES.—Branchlets very brittle at the base, and these, broken off by the wind, are carried down stream, often catching in the muddy banks and there taking root.
Almondleaf WillowAlmondleaf Willow1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Lateral bud, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
Almondleaf Willow
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Lateral bud, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Lateral bud, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Lateral bud, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Lateral bud, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1.
4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Staminate flower, enlarged.
6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
HABIT.—A tree 30-40 feet high, with a straight, columnar trunk 1-2 feet in diameter; straight, ascending branches form a rather narrow, rounded crown.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 2-6 inches long, 3/4-1-1/4 inches broad; lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, long-pointed; finely serrate; thin and firm; light green and shining above, pale and glaucous beneath; petioles slender, 1/2-3/4 inch long.
FLOWERS.—April, with the leaves; dioecious; borne in crowded, slender, pubescent catkins 2-3 inches long; calyx 0; corolla 0; scales yellow, villous both sides; stamens 5-9; ovary oblong-conical, with stigmas nearly sessile.
FRUIT.—May; 1-celled, globose-conical capsule, 1/4 inch long, containing many minute seeds which are furnished with long, silky, white hairs.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds broadly ovoid, gibbous, lustrous, dark brown, 1/8 inch long.
BARK.—Twigs glabrous, lustrous, dark orange or red-brown becoming darker orange-brown; thick and brown on old trunks, irregularly fissured into flat, connected ridges.
WOOD.—Light, soft, weak, close-grained, light brown, with thick, whitish sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Common throughout the state.
HABITAT.—Banks of streams.
NOTES.—Hybridizes freely with other willows, making its identification difficult.
Crack Willow. Brittle WillowCrack Willow. Brittle Willow1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
Crack Willow. Brittle Willow
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1.
4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Staminate flower, enlarged.
6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
HABIT.—A tree 50-60 feet high, with a short, stout trunk 3-4 feet in diameter; stout, spreading branches form a broad, open crown.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 3-6 inches long, 1/2-1-1/2 inches broad; lanceolate, long-pointed; finely glandular-serrate; thin and firm; lustrous, dark green above, paler beneath, glabrous both sides; petioles short, stout, with 2 glands at the junction of blade and petiole.
FLOWERS.—April-May, with the leaves; dioecious; borne in slender, pubescent catkins 1-3 inches long; calyx 0; corolla 0; scales blunt, somewhat pubescent; stamens usually 2; ovary abortive, with stigmas nearly sessile. Staminate trees rare.
FRUIT.—April-May; 1-celled, long-conical, short-stalked capsule, about 1/4 inch long, containing many minute seeds which are furnished with long, silky, white hairs.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds long-conical, pointed, glabrous, bright red-brown, about 1/4 inch long.
BARK.—Twigs pubescent, yellow-green, often reddish, becoming glabrous, lustrous, brown; thick, gray on the trunk, smooth in young trees, very rough, irregularly scaly-ridged in old trees.
WOOD.—Light, soft, tough, close-grained, red-brown, with thick, whitish sapwood.
NOTES.—A native of Europe and Asia, where it is a valuable timber tree. Hardy throughout the state and of very rapid growth. Thrives in rich, damp soil. Easily grown from cuttings. The twigs are very brittle at the base and are easily broken by the wind, hence the name Brittle Willow.
Weeping Willow. Napoleon’s WillowWeeping Willow. Napoleon's Willow1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Pistillate flower, enlarged.6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
Weeping Willow. Napoleon’s Willow
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Pistillate flower, enlarged.6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Pistillate flower, enlarged.6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Pistillate flower, enlarged.6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1.
4. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
HABIT.—A tree 40-50 feet high, with a short, stout trunk 3-4 feet in diameter; the long, slender branchlets, often many feet in length, droop in graceful festoons, giving to the tree a weeping habit.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 3-7 inches long, 1/4-1/2 inch broad; linear to linear-lanceolate, long-pointed; finely sharp-serrate; thin and firm; glabrous, dark green above, paler beneath; petioles 1/2 inch or less in length, glandular above, often hairy.
FLOWERS.—April-May, with the leaves; dioecious; borne in slender, nearly glabrous catkins 1-2 inches long; calyx 0; corolla 0; scales ovate-lanceolate, slightly hairy; ovary ovoid-conical, very short-stalked, with stigmas longer than the style. Staminate trees apparently do not occur in the United States.
FRUIT.—May-June; 1-celled, narrow-ovoid, sessile capsule, about 3/16 inch long, containing many minute seeds which are furnished with long, silky, white hairs.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds narrow-conical, sharp-pointed, somewhat flattened, brownish, 1/8-1/4 inch long.
BARK.—Twigs glabrous, olive-green; thick and gray on old trunks, rather smooth, or irregularly fissured into shallow, firm ridges.
WOOD.—Light, soft, weak, close-grained, light brown, with thick, whitish sapwood.
NOTES.—A native of Europe and Asia. Often grown in cemeteries. Easily propagated by cuttings. Rapid of growth in rich, damp soil. Sometimes winter-killed because the wood is not ripened.
White PoplarWhite Poplar1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 2.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruit, × 1/2.
White Poplar
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 2.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 2.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 2.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 2.
4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Staminate flower, enlarged.
6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
8. Fruit, × 1/2.
HABIT.—A large tree 60-80 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 2-4 feet, forming a large, spreading, rounded or irregular crown of large, crooked branches and sparse, stout branchlets.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 2-4 inches long and almost as broad; broadly ovate to suborbicular; irregularly toothed, sinuate, or sometimes 3-5-lobed; glabrous, dark green above, white-tomentose to glabrous beneath; petioles long, slender, flattened, tomentose.
FLOWERS.—April-May, before the leaves; dioecious; the staminate catkins thick, cylindrical, 2-4 inches long; the pistillate catkins slender, 1-2 inches long; calyx 0; corolla 0; stamens 6-16, with purple anthers; stigmas 2, branched, yellow.
FRUIT.—May-June; ovoid, 2-valved capsules, 1/8-1/4 inch long, borne in drooping catkins 2-4 inches long; seeds light brown, surrounded by long, white hairs.
WINTER-BUDS.—Ovoid, pointed, not viscid, downy, about 1/4 inch long.
BARK.—Twigs greenish, covered with a white down, becoming greenish gray and marked with darker blotches; dark gray and fissured at the base of old trunks.
WOOD.—Light, soft, weak, difficult to split, reddish yellow, with thick, whitish sapwood.
NOTES.—A native of Europe and Asia. Hardy in Michigan. Grows rapidly in good soils; thrives in poor soils and exposed situations. Roots deep, producing numerous suckers for a considerable distance from the tree.
AspenAspen1. Winter twig, × 2.2. Leaf, × 1.3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Staminate flower, enlarged.5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1/2.
Aspen
1. Winter twig, × 2.2. Leaf, × 1.3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Staminate flower, enlarged.5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 2.2. Leaf, × 1.3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Staminate flower, enlarged.5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 2.2. Leaf, × 1.3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Staminate flower, enlarged.5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 2.
2. Leaf, × 1.
3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
4. Staminate flower, enlarged.
5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
7. Fruit, × 1/2.
HABIT.—A small, slender tree generally 35-45 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 8-15 inches; forming a loose, rounded crown of slender branches.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 1-1/2-2-1/2 inches long and broad; broadly ovate to suborbicular; finely serrate; thin and firm; lustrous, dark green above, dull and pale beneath; petioles slender, laterally compressed. Tremulous with the slightest breeze.
FLOWERS.—April, before the leaves; dioecious; the staminate catkins 1-1/2-3 inches long, the pistillate at first about the same length, gradually elongating; calyx 0; corolla 0; stamens 6-12; stigmas 2, 2-lobed, red.
FRUIT.—May-June; 2-valved, oblong-cylindrical, short-pedicelled capsules 1/4 inch long; seeds light brown, white-hairy.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud about 1/4 inch long, narrow-conical, acute, red-brown, lustrous; lateral buds often appressed.
BARK.—Twigs very lustrous, red-brown, becoming grayish and roughened by the elevated leaf-scars; thin, yellowish or greenish and smooth on the trunk, often roughened with darker, horizontal bands or wart-like excrescences, becoming thick and fissured, almost black at the base of old trunks.
WOOD.—Light, soft, weak, close-grained, not durable, light brown, with thin, whitish sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Common throughout the state, but most abundant in the Upper Peninsula.
HABITAT.—Prefers moist, sandy soil and gravelly hillsides.
NOTES.—One of the first trees to cover burned-over lands. Grows rapidly. Usually short-lived. Propagated from seed or cuttings.