Trees on the Yale Nature Walk

Commonly known as mountain pine, dwarf mountain pine, and Swiss mountain pine—just to name a few—Pinus mugo has more names than any other conifer. A native to southwestern and Central Europe, mountain pine thrives in high elevation habitats and enjoys widespread popularity as an ornamental.

A rare find, this epaulette tree (Pterostyrax hispida) is the only one of its kind on the Yale Campus. The genus name refers to its fruits, "pteron" meaning "wing" and "styrax" refering to the ribbed fruit. The species name, "hispidus", references the fruit's bristly texture.

This tree is a short, hardy, shrub-like tree native to Northern China and the Korean Peninsula that can be found near the short chain-link fence in the Marsh Gardens. It has corkscrew-like branches that are barbed and is also referred to as the Chinese bitter orange. This tree blooms in the spring and bears fruit in the fall (the fruit is pubescent (downy), citrus-like and great in a gin and tonic).

Located near Marsh Botanic Gardens, this fine specimen of a tree is a rewarding sight to the brave souls who trek up Prospect Street. Commonly known as rowan trees, American mountain ash are popular ornamentals in gardens and are widely used as street trees. In the spring and summer months they produce showy white flowers followed in the fall by orange berries that feed several species of birds and small mammals. Additionally, American mountain ash are the preferred snack of moose who feed on its foliage, twigs, and bark. Fear not, however, as this particular tree, nestled safely in New Haven, is not subjected to the ravages of wandering moose.