Trees on the Yale Nature Walk

This generous magnolia tree welcomes strangers and residents alike, whether they're rushing to class or walking home after a long day of work. Its fragrant, early-spring blossoms bring joy and vibrance to the neighborhood in the spring, and its ovular leaves turn a festive orange-y green in the fall. The Saucer Magnolia is a hybrid first bred in France in 1820, and despite this ones height, it is actually a large spreading shrub which takes its name from the pink and white saucer-like flowers. Its ease of cultivation and relative tolerance to a range of weather and soil conditions makes it a popular tree for the home garden. hint: can you find the pair of "bluebirds" who live by this tree?

The Norway Spruce may be one of the most iconic trees to exist. These trees originated from Europe and now resides in the 2/3 of Northeast United States and in East Canada as well. They could grow to be over 100 feet tall and 25 feet wide and live up to approximately 300 years. Given their massive size and long life span, their prevalence in human history has been clearly noted in human culture. For instance, this type of tree is considered to be the "Christmas Tree," even being placed in Rockefeller center for Christmas. Also, some other fun facts about the Norway Spruce include using their young branches to make beer, shoot tips for medical ointments and concoctions, and wood for instruments or furniture pieces. Its sheer size, population, human applications, and cultural significance highlight how significance of the Norway Spruce.

The Jacaranda is hard to miss when it's in full bloom with its alluring bluish-purple flowers. Once the flowers begin to fall and line the streets, they create a stunning carpet that almost makes you forget the rush of traffic and people that surround you. The tree I chose (and there were many Jacarandas to chose from) has been a highlight of my visits to the nearby park with my dogs. Although all traces of its signature purple flowers are gone, I know I will continue to appreciate it now that I have learned more about its biology and history. ----------------------------- Es difícil pasar por alto la Jacaranda cuando está en plena floración con sus atractivas flores de color púrpura azulado. Una vez que las flores comienzan a caer y se juntan en las calles, crean una alfombra deslumbrante que casi te hace olvidar el tráfico y la gente que te rodea. El árbol que elegí (había muchas Jacarandas para elegir) ha sido lo más destacado de mis visitas al parque con mis perros. Aunque todos los rastros de sus flores moradas han desaparecido, sé que continuaré apreciándola ahora que he aprendido más sobre su biología e historia.

Contrary to its name, Sweet Fern is not actually a fern. It is a flowering shrub with fern-like leaves that is native to eastern North America. Today, Comptonia peregrina is the only extant species of Comptonia. Unfortunately, this specific Sweet Fern plant is dead.