January 10, 2010
Specimen Trees at Fresh Pond
A Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation Program
Ranger Jean Rogers led tree enthusiasts on a walk where participants were shown characteristics (features which make a tree recognizable) of specimen trees. Some characteristics include branching patterns, bark texture, bark color, and leaf retention, or loss (in winter). After the walk, participants went indoors, reviewed what we had observed, and were treated to hot chocolate, tea and cookies.
Left Photo (Near Neville Place): American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is one of the sixteen tree species which were discussed. Sycamore bark is thin, mottled with brown, green, tan and/or white. These two sycamores (one is opposite the program participants, the other is on the right) have lighter barks.
Middle Photo (Perimeter Road): Participants examine and discuss a Silver Maple's (Acer saccharinum) distinctive bud, bark, and branching features.
Right Photo (golf course): Trees in the foreground are Two White Oaks (Quercus alba) (second and third from left) and a Red Oak aka Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) (far right). A Black Willow's (Salix nigra) is third from the left (branches lean right) and a young Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) has not shed its leaves (fifth from right). Oaks often retain their leaves through the winter. Pin oaks uniquely display a triangular
shape with upper branches that point upward, mid-level branches that point outward,and lower branches that point downward.
Description and Photo By Carol Collura