Trees on the Yale Nature Walk

Tree ID: 165
Date of tree entry: April 27, 2023
The paperbark maple is one of the most beautiful of the maple family. Native to central China, this deciduous tree slowly grows up to 9 meters tall and 6 meters wide, with the trunk's circumference reaching 28 cm. The branches, which grow low to the ground, don trifoliate leaves, and the trunk is composed of orange to bronze papery bark that peels back on the trunk over time. The maple prefers full sun and moist soil for growth but will settle for partial shade as well. Though once common in central China, deforestation and lack of conservation has made it an endangered species in its native land, while it has become a popular ornamental tree around the United States.
Tree ID: 152
Date of tree entry: February 8, 2023
Tree ID: 155
Date of tree entry: February 13, 2023
The Cotoneaster dammeric is a species of flowering plant native to central and southern China. This shrub is a vigorous, dense, evergreen shrub with elliptic-oblong leaves. This plant blooms small white flowers in May, followed by red berries. At Yale, the Bearberry shrub is located throughout the Pauli Muarry and Benjamin Franklin walkway. The shrub is low growing and expansive covering much of the peripheral walk-way.
A black locust near SCL
Tree ID: 164
Date of tree entry: February 9, 2023
This tree has five individual structures, each reaching about the same height. Standing across from SCL, the tree frames 230 Prospect street and offers shade to those leaving the parking complex behind the Yale Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics. A squirrel has been spotted on this tree and the surveyors are hoping it makes another appearance for their presentation.
Tree ID: 163
Date of tree entry: February 9, 2023
Tall, drooping branches. The twigs are pale gray and the bark is brown. As a deciduous tree, the Green Ash loses its leaves during the colder seasons. Once the weather became warmer, we were able to observe the Green Ash’s green leaflets and buds that grow opposite from one another. Its leaves have pointed tips and tapered bases, colored medium to dark green during the warmer weather. Its bark ridges are diamond shaped. We also were able to see some small green, or purplish flowers blooming.
Tree ID: 154
Date of tree entry: February 8, 2023
Sweetbay magnolias are late-blooming trees that are native to the Eastern United States. They are deciduous trees that produce flowers and fruit. They also have a moderate salt tolerance, as well as fire resistance. Its high water tolerance does well in swampy, boggy habitats or near streams. They are usually around 10-30 feet tall, on some occasions, they can be 60 feet tall or, in Florida, 90 feet tall.
Tree ID: 157
Date of tree entry: February 8, 2023
The Kentucky Coffeetree is a slow to medium-growing species that is native to the midwest; it was Kentucky's state tree for nearly 20 years, hence providing the first part of this organism's name. While the second part of this tree's name (coffee) may seem inviting to taste this plant, it is important not to eat this plant raw, as the seeds and pods are poisonous to humans because they contain cytosine. However, upon roasting them, one can use the leaves, seeds, and pulp of the Kentucky Coffeetree to make beverages similar to coffee. This tree is remarkable in its toughness and adaptability; it can survive both droughts and floods, as well as high levels of air pollution. The Kentucky Coffeetree makes a great ornamental tree (as seen on Yale's campus) due to its unique ascending branching structure, which gives the plant a crown-like appearance. Students can look forward to this striking view as May and June approach, as the Kentucky Coffeetree is known to bloom in late spring. On the topic of blooming, this species is deciduous; its leaves emerge in a beautiful bronze-pink shade and progress to dark green over time, then as fall comes, the leaves turn yellow and brown before falling from the tree.
Tree ID: 161
Date of tree entry: February 8, 2023
Hamamelis virginiana, most commonly known as the American witch-hazel, grows as a small deciduous shrub or tree. Though the species name "virginiana" means "from Virginia," the American witch-hazel is native to the broader region of eastern North America. Multiple branches extend from its base, typically growing about 15 feet tall. The plant is in peak bloom from late October to early November. Its characteristic bright yellow flowers have four thin petals and a calyx that darkens to a red color throughout the flower's development. The American witch hazel also produces fruit that appear as capsules. Witch-hazel has important medicinal uses as it is one of the only plants FDA approved for non-prescription use [1].
Tree ID: 153
Date of tree entry: February 8, 2023
The Eastern Redbud tree, also known as Cercis canadensis, is a small, deciduous tree that can be found in eastern North America. It is commonly found in wooded areas, along streams, and in parks and gardens. The tree grows to be 20-30 feet tall and has a rounded, spreading canopy that provides dappled shade. Its bark is dark brown and slightly rough, and its heart-shaped leaves are bright green in the spring and summer, turning yellow in the fall. One of the Eastern Redbud's most striking features is its pink to purple flowers, which appear in early spring before the leaves. These small, pea-like flowers bloom in clusters along the branches, making the tree look as though it is covered in pink or purple mist. After the flowers fade, the tree produces flat, brown seed pods that persist into the winter. The Eastern Redbud's wood is hard and dense, making it useful for woodworking projects. The tree is relatively low maintenance and can tolerate a wide range of soil types, as long as they are well-draining. It is also resistant to pests and diseases. Overall, the Eastern Redbud is a beautiful and versatile tree that adds color and interest to any landscape.
Tree ID: 159
Date of tree entry: February 8, 2023
A message from our English ivy specimen growing up a wall and neighboring tree along the Farmington Canal Trail behind Pauli Murray: "Ivy is one of those plants everyone knows, and comes with a lot of baggage..." well excuse me, don't we all?! I may be getting dragged on the daily for "dominating the canopy," "invading California and the northwestern United States," having fruits that are "toxic to humans and livestock," or being "very costly and labor intensive to eradicate," but the haters only make me stronger. And I didn't hear a peep from them when I was out here purifying their air, making the front of their house all green and trendy, or providing shelter for adorable birds and bats. Long story short, it's tough being famous. I came here all the way from Europe and Africa, so love me or hate me...plant me or spend thousands of dollars and countless Saturdays trying to remove me...I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. ;) With love and ground cover from your favorite woody, perennial vine, English Ivy P.S. Please do not group me together with my sister Poison. We don't know where she went wrong...

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