Trees on the Yale Nature Walk

Austrian Pine
Pinus nigra
Tree ID: 34
Hillhouse
Date of tree entry: March 3, 2016
The majestic Austrian pine stands tall in a small courtyard near Luce Hall on Hillhouse Avenue. Horticulturalist Dr. Carl Whitcomb noted that the Austrian pine "rivals all pines in durability under adverse conditions," making it one of the toughest of all European pines. Austrian pines are medium to fast-growing, generally reaching between 40 and 60 feet and spreading 25 to 35 feet. Mature trees can grow to be over 500 years old. The Austrian pine is native to Austria, northern Italy, and the former Yugoslavia, but has been widely planted in eastern and midwestern North America because of its bold texture, fullness of foliage, dark-green needles, and adaptability to urban conditions.

American Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua
Tree ID: 46
Prospect and Sachem
Date of tree entry: March 3, 2016
Liquidambar styraciflua is known as the American sweetgum. It is a deciduous tree that can be found in southeastern U.S., as well as southern Mexico and Central America. The sweetgum is a fast-growing tree that develops a significant taproot that tolerate high moisture levels in soil. It is used for its lumber, and is one of the most common sources of hardwood and plywood, but also produces spectacular colors as it drops its leaves in the fall. The sweetgum is a monoecious species and is pollinated primarily by wind. The sweetgum produces a resin that can harden and be used for chewing gum as well as medicinal purposes. Some other fun facts about the American sweetgum include that it provides protection and food for many forest animals, including squirrels, deer, doves, and chipmunks. It can be especially resistant to attack by insects, which makes them very helpful trees in reforestation projects and reclamations of former mineral mines. Finally, sweetgum trees can fix nitrogen and promote soil health. Our American sweetgum is situated in a beautiful green area between OML and Kroon Hall. It offers a calming presence in the heart of the science buildings at Yale, and is surely a special tree to observe, especially in the autumn.

Crabapple Tree
Malus x.
Tree ID: 43
Hillhouse
Date of tree entry: March 3, 2016
This tree is a member of of the Malus genus, otherwise known as a crabapple tree. It is in the family Rosaceae, but the exact species of this tree is unknown especially since there are 35 unique species and 700 different varieties of this particular tree. . While the fruit of the crabapple may resemble a typical apple, the flavors are worlds apart! The crabapple fruit is very sour and bitter in taste leading to the common misconception that crabapples are actually dangerous to consume. Urban myths have it that the crabapple is poisonous, but this is not, in fact, true. Crabapples are perfectly safe to eat despite their terrible flavor, and despite containing small amounts of cyanide in their seeds (as regular apples do), they do not pose a threat to children or pets who might ingest the seeds. Crabapple trees overall are pleasent and relaxing trees which are great as backyard plants, however they can vary in size and be from 15 to 40ft tall at maturity.

Small-Leaved Lime, Littleleaf Linden
Tilia cordata
Tree ID: 49
Grove Street Cemetery
Date of tree entry: March 2, 2016
Located in the middle of the Grove Street Cemetery, this tree is a great addition to any landscape. Commonly known as the small-leaved lime or littleleaf linden, this species is not related to the lime fruit. Tilia cordata is in a family of large deciduous trees that populate the northern hemisphere, although this tree is still quite young and therefore small. Tilia is a Greek cognate for “elm tree” or “black poplar” which descends from the root “ptelea” for broad, likely indicating the leaves.

Flowering Dogwood
Cornus Florida
Tree ID: 47
Grove Street Cemetery
Date of tree entry: March 2, 2016
Cornus florida, commonly known as the flowering dogwood, is a beautiful tree located along the perimeter of the interior of the Grove Street Cemetery. Given its location right at the entrance and the bench placed under its relatively expanisve canopy, this tree welcomes visitors to the green space. In the late spring and early summer, its delicate white flowers offer some shade for those who choose to take a seat. Although it is not the tallest tree, its height is quite noticeable - the tree can be seen from the street, despite the brick walls surrounding the cemetery. As a decorative tree with many different appearances throughout the four seasons of New England, this particular tree is a wonderful attraction that everyone should stop to see on the Nature Walk!

Weeping Higan Cherry
Prunus subhirtella
Tree ID: 50
Grove Street Cemetery
Date of tree entry: March 2, 2016
This weeping Higan cherry stands in Grove Street Cemetery. In mid-April it is a waterfall of pink blossoms when the surrounding trees remain bare. The common name of this tree derives from Ohigan, a Buddhist holiday celebrated in its native Japan on the autumnal and spring equinoxes. This particular weeping Higan cherry is 7.3m tall, although the species can grow to over 12m at maturity. Weeping Higan cherries can be remarkably long-lived: one famous tree in Japan is over 1,000 years old. Although the trees themselves may live centuries, the flowers linger only for a short time and consequently the cherry blossoms have long symbolized not only spring, but also the transience of all things.

Hawthorn
Cratageus
Tree ID: 48
Grove Street Cemetery
Date of tree entry: March 2, 2016
Stretching to over 6 m tall, the hawthorn stands in the Grove Street Cemetary. The hawthorn blossoms delicate flowers in the spring, and produce fruit that look like red orbs, which can be made into delectable jams, jellies, fruit preserves, wine, and other foods. Also called the thornapple or May-tree, the hawthorn is typically used as ornamental trees. The hawthorn is known for its hallmark thorns that protrude from its branches, and has become the center of many folkoric tales, legends, and beliefs.

Anglojap yew
Hybrid of Taxus baccata and Taxus cuspidata
Tree ID: 55
Grove Street Cemetery
Date of tree entry: March 2, 2016
Taxus x media, also known as the Anglojap yew, is a cross between the English yew and the Japanese yew. It is a versatile tree that comes in many shapes, and sizes including large trees, small bushes, or even tall hedges. It is a popular hedge amongst gardeners, for the beautiful evergreen has thick foliage and coverage year round, allowing it to be used as a privacy screen or for the purpose of topiary (the art of trimming a tree into geometric forms). Some visual cues when looking for an Anglojap yew include foliage with two-ranked needles either straight or curved, a red "olive" looking fruit during the spring, and light brown scaly bark.

Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera
Tree ID: 54
Grove Street Cemetery
Date of tree entry: March 2, 2016
The paper birch, known as a white birch, silver birch, or canoe birch, rarely lives more than 140 years. It is a medium-sized deciduous tree that thrives in well drained, sandy loams on cool moist sites and is primarily noted and praised for its beautiful white bark. This paperlike bark has traditionally been used by the North American Natives for canoe construction, hence its alternate name. It is the state tree of New Hampshire.

Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora
Tree ID: 58
Grove Street Cemetery
Date of tree entry: March 2, 2016
The southern magnolia, a tree indigenous to the southeastern United States but sporadically found all along the East coast, is a broadleafed evergreen. It is relatively hardy, growing even in the colder climates of Washington, Michigan, and Maine, but fares best in the south. In fact, it is Mississippi's state tree. Southern magnolias typically grow to a height of sixty to eighty feet and a diameter of approximately forty feet. Because it can maintain its beautiful leaves year round, it is often planted as an ornamental flowering tree. It is also particularly sturdy, and as such is often used in the lumber industry to make furniture. Its alternate common names are laurel magnolia, evergreen magnolia, large-flower magnolia, and big laurel.

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