Trees on the Yale Nature Walk

Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Tree ID: 147
Date of tree entry: April 24, 2021
The bur oak is a large deciduous tree that possesses alternately arranged simple leaves and a wide, uniform crown. Bur oaks are among the most fire-resistant, cold-tolerant, and drought-resistant of all oak species; thus, they are distributed over a wide geographical range in North America. The plant is monoecious with imperfect flowers, a quality that reduces the chances of self-pollination and is thus advantageous for promoting genetic diversity within the population. The lifespan of bur oaks generally exceeds 200-300 years.
Tree with a small trunk circumference, many long branches, and tiny white flowers

Callery Pear
Tree ID: 151
Date of tree entry: April 24, 2021
These trees are lining Edgewood street, making a beautiful path of white flowers on either side.

Seiryu
Acer palmatum
Tree ID: 130
Date of tree entry: April 21, 2021
This is a Japanese Maple Tree : Seiryu. It is one of the many cultivars of the Japanese maple and can be found worldwide as a stunning addition to one’s garden!

Callery Pear
Pyrus calleryana
Tree ID: 141
Date of tree entry: March 1, 2021
Callery pear trees are very tall and beautiful. If you catch them in the springtime, they are covered in beautiful white flowers, and you can usually smell them from a block away as they produce a very strong odor. They bear fruit that is usually consumed by birds, not humans. This tree is known to be an invasive species. This tree not only serves as a decoration to whatever environment it may be in, but also as a shelter and food resource for birds.

Norway Spruce

Picea abies
Tree ID: 137
Date of tree entry: April 15, 2021
People might think of their annual trip to pick out a Christmas Tree when they look at a Norway Spruce, and they are exactly right! The Norway Spruce is a large pyramidal tree that is dark green in color with long, cylindrical cones. Not only are they extremely popular for the holiday season, but they are also widely used for construction, pulp, furniture and musical instruments. Fun fact #1: The name of this tree is a bit of a misnomer. Although the species does grow in Norway, the Norway Spruce grew in Eurasia, the Black Forest and other parts of the continent long before making its way to Norway. Fun fact #2: The tree at the Rockefeller Center every year during the holidays is a Norway Spruce. Fun fact #3: The young branches in a Norway Spruce are often used to make beer.

American Elm
Ulmus americana
Tree ID: 134
Date of tree entry: April 13, 2021
The American Elm is a species native to the eastern part of North America. It is a large deciduous, hermaphroditic tree that produces small perfect flowers in early spring. The flowers are wind pollinated, however, since they are protogynous (the female organs maturing before the male organs) this greatly reduces the chances of self fertilization. These kinds of trees can grow to more than 100 feet and they often provide great shade with their umbrella-like canopy. You have probably passed by this specific tree if you have ever taken a stroll on the New Haven Green. Unsurprisingly, this is one of very many American Elms on the Green. Maybe that's why New Haven is called Elm City!

Loquat
Eriobotrya japonica
Tree ID: 138
Date of tree entry: February 24, 2021
Loquats are evergreen trees that originated in China and grow in subtropical regions all over the world. The tree pictured is one of four loquat trees in my backyard and is approximately five years old. This tree accidentally grew in this spot because my dad threw the seeds into the grass here after eating a fruit from one of the other trees. The fruits that this tree produces are tangy and sweet, and its leaves make an aromatic tea.

Saucer Magnolia
Magnolia x soulangeana
Tree ID: 133
Prospect and Sachem
Date of tree entry: April 5, 2021
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?
Saucer magnolia, early blooms

Saucer magnolia
Magnolia x soulangeana
Tree ID: 143
Date of tree entry: March 21, 2021
This tree is located in my backyard! It's one of my favorite trees with its lovely flowers, heavy floral perfume, and rich, leafy green canopy during the summertime.

Norway Spruce
Picea abies
Tree ID: 150
Hillhouse
Date of tree entry: March 1, 2021
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.

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