FAMILY: AnacardiaceaeToxicodendron radicans (Poison Ivy)

General Information

Poison Ivy is a dominant understory plant occurring under, but not limited to, varieties of oak, pine and hickory trees. It is native to North American and can be found across eastern Canada extending south through the U.S. to Florida and Texas. It is hardy in zones 3 to 10.

This deciduous vine’s sap causes allergic dermatitis in humans. Animals seem to be unaffected by the sap.

Plant Habit and Form

The leaves of Poison Ivy are pinnately compound with 3 irregularly toothed, shiny green leaflets measuring 2 to 4 inches long, the total length of the leaves being 7 to 10 inches. Leaves emerge red in spring and a bright red and orange in fall.

Poison Ivy may be low-growing, climbing, or take on a bush form. It clings to surfaces with hair-like aerial rootlets growing out of the stem.

Growing Requirements

Poison Ivy climbs toward the sun but thrives in shade as well. It is not a particular plant and enjoys areas with short, hot summers and cold to cool winters. It lives in a wide variety of soil conditions from poorly draining clay sites to sandy, well-drained sites.

Flowering and Fruiting

The greenish white flowers of Poison Ivy are small and followed by clusters of greenish white, round 1/4-inch in late spring and early summer. The berries are enjoyed by many bird species.

Pests and Diseases

None found.

ID Tips

Leaves of 3, let it be. Shiny green on above surface, paler below. Climbing or creeping vine or bush.

FAMILY: VitaceaeParthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper)

General Information

Virginia Creeper is a fast growing, woody deciduous vine native to North America. The vine climbs or creeps by means of tendrils that fasten onto rocks, walls or bark. The 4- to 8-inch leaves are palmate with five leaflets coming out of a central leaf stem. They provide bright fall color in tones of red and purple. It is easy to grow and established plants can be somewhat aggressive, reseeding itself and sending up sprouts everywhere.

Virginia Creeper is native from eastern North America south to Florida and west to Texas, extending north through the central states to Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It is hardy in zones 3 to 9.

Plant Habit and Form

Virginia Creeper can grow to 40 feet in length depending on the structure supporting it. Small disks are located on the tendrils that attach to the climbing surface. When allowed to creep along the ground, it sends out adventitious roots.

Growing Requirements

Virginia Creeper grows in full sun nd partial shade. It thrives in moist soil where it will be happy without climbing anything, yet is drought tolerant.

Flowering and Fruiting

The greenish pink flowers of Virginia Creeper are small and arranged in clusters. They are followed by bluish green 1/4-inch fruit that mature to dark blue-black, and are favored by birds and other wildlife.

Pests and Diseases

Mildew, leaf spots and cankers can be somewhat problematic for Virginia Creeper but it is generally trouble-free.

ID Tips

Alternate, palmate leaves with 5 elliptical leaflets per leaf. Blue-black 1/4-inch berries. Climbing or creeping vine.

FAMILY: OleaceaeSyringa vulgaris (Common Lilac)

General Information

Common Lilac is an upright deciduous shrub introduced to North America from southern Europe. They serve as a good wind break or screen when planted in a row or in masses. When planted in this manner, their dense, low growth provide good protection from the wind and serve as cover for birds and other wildlife. But Common Lilac is known first and foremost for its highly fragrant flowers that bloom in May.

Plant Habit and Form

Common Lilac grows 8 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 12 feet wide. It can have a leggy shape with an irregular silhouette that loses its lower branches after some years but retains a crown of foliage. The 2- to 5-inch simple, opposite leaves are ovate to broad-ovate in shape and dark green.

Growing Requirements

Common Lilac grows best in soil with a neutral pH but full of rich, organic matter such as leaf mould and peat. It is hardy in zones 3 to 7. It is a remarkably resilient, tough, long-lived shrub.

Flowering and Fruiting

Common Lilac boasts large panicles of fragrant purple flowers at the ends of its branches. The shrubs fill the May garden with perfume. Following the flowers, smooth 1/2 inch, beaked capsules form at the ends of the branches.

Pests and Diseases

Despite being bothered by powdery mildew, aphids, scale and lilac borer, the Common Lilac persists seemingly unbothered by any of these liabilities.

ID Tips

Opposite leaf arrangement, beaked capsules, large panicles of fragrant purple flowers.

FAMILY: FagaceaeQuercus palustrus (Pin Oak)

General Information

Pin Oak is a popular tree due to its pyramidal shape and sturdy straight trunk. It is distinguished from other oaks by the lower branches often drooping and its glossy green, deeply lobed leaves which turn crimson in the fall. In the open landscape, the Pin Oak with its drooping branches creates a picturesque silhouette.

Pin Oak is native to North America and can be found in the northeast and north central United States, extending north into Ontario. It is not as vigorous in the lower tier states.

Plant Habit and Form

Pin Oak reaches 75 feet in height and 40 feet wide. It has a pyramidal form with a symmetrical, smooth crown. The 3- to 6-inch leaves of this deciduous tree have 5 to 7 deep lobes. In fall they turn a showy reddish bronze. The gray trunk is furrowed and ridged.

Growing Requirements

Pin Oak grows best in full sun. It is hardy in zones 4 to 7, growing slowly and not as vigorously in zone 8. It prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Flowering and Fruiting

Pin Oak has yellowish male catkins in spring and produces acorns in the fall. The shallow saucer-like cup holds only the base of the acorn. These fruits are enjoyed by squirrels and other mammals.

Pests and Diseases

Pin Oak exhibits chlorosis on high pH and limestone soils due to iron deficiency. Galls can occur but do not pose a great threat to the Oak. Scales, aphids, lace bugs, and leaf miners can pose problems though.

ID Tips

Glossy green leaves with 5 to 7 deep lobes. Distinctive drooping branches. Small acorns that sit shallowly in the saucer-like cup.

FAMILY: RosaceaePrunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’ (Kwanzan Flowering Cherry)

General Information

Kwanzan Flowering Cherry bears very attractive, double pink flowers in spring. It is a spectacular sight in full bloom and has been planted in Washington, D.C. for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. This variety of Flowering Cherry produces no fruit.

Kwanzan Flowering Cherry is not native to North America but can be found in Massachusetts, Washington, D.C. and California. Its potential planting range includes the central and lower tiers of United States, from Massachusetts to California including the Pacific Northwest states.

Plant Habit and Form

Kwanzan Flowering Cherry reaches 25 to 30 feet in height. It has a vase-shape with a spreading crown. The 3- to 5-inch alternate leaves of this deciduous tree are simple, ovate to lancelolate, and turn yellow in the fall. The reddish to brown bark is glossy and has prominent horizontal lenticels.

Growing Requirements

Kwanzan Flowering Cherry grows in full sun. It is hardy in zones 5 to 9 and prefers moist, well-drained soil and has moderate drought tolerance.

Flowering and Fruiting

Kwanzan Flowering Cherry bears a profusion of very showy, double pink flowers that cluster in large clumps. This variety of Japanese Flowering Cherry is sterile and typically doesn’t produce fruit.

Pests and Diseases

Kwanzan Flowering Cherry has a relatively short life span of about 15 to 20 years. It can be bothered by aphids, tent caterpillars, spider mites, scale, and verticillium wilt.

ID Tips

Conspicuous horizontal lenticels along twigs, branches and trunk. Twigs have very prominent large red buds. Very showy clusters of double pink blossoms along the branches.

FAMILY: RosaceaeMalus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple)

General Information

Considered to be one of the best Crabapples for flowering and form, Japanese Crabapple are prized for their prolific, fragrant blooms in spring. This deciduous tree produces yellow and red fruits from late summer into fall that can be made into jelly. The fruits are also favored by a variety of wildlife.

Japanese Crabapple is not native to North America. Its distribution range includes Massachusetts, Connecticut and Washington DC on the east coast. The range also includes the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Louisiana, Kansas and Oregon.

Plant Habit and Form

Japanese Crab Apple reaches 15 to 25, sometimes 30, feet in height. It has a rounded, spreading canopy of densely set branches. The 2- to 4-inch long, alternate green leaves have serrated margins and are elliptical in shape. The leaves turn yellow in the fall but are not showy.

Growing Requirements

Japanese Crabapple grows best in full sun in moist, well-drained acidic soil. It can tolerate other conditions to a moderate degree, although it is not particularly drought tolerant.

Flowering and Fruiting

Japanese Crabapple bears a profusion of very showy 1 1/4 inch fragrant, pale pink flowers that mature to white in April and May. The subsequent yellowish fruit has a reddish tinge and are borne in abundance. They are small, about 1/2 an inch in length, and they can create quite a litter for the homeowner. Fortunately the fruit is favored by a variety of birds.

Pests and Diseases

Japanese Crabapple has moderate disease resistance but can be susceptible to fire blight, powdery mildew and apple scab.

ID Tips

Red buds open to pale pink flowers and mature to white in spring. Slender, elliptical, serrated green leaves. Broad, rounded, dense canopy.

FAMILY: FagaceaeFagus grandifolia (American Beech)

General Information

American Beech is a handsome deciduous tree found at low elevations in the North and higher elevations in the South. Its range extends across eastern North America from New Brunswick to Florida.

The wood of the American Beech is used to make flooring, furniture, railroad ties and plywood. It makes excellent firewood due to its high density and good burning qualities. It’s a popular food source of various mammals and bird species including black bear, deer, chipmunks, ducks, ruffed grouse and blue jays.

Plant Habit and Form

American Beech is a sturdy, medium to large tree growing 50 to 70 feet, sometimes exceeding 100 feet. It has a wide spreading, rounded crown with low hanging branches that can touch the ground. The leaves are 2 to 6 inches long and 1 to 2 1/2 inches wide with small, incurved, marginal teeth.

Growing Requirements

American Beech prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil but will not withstand wet soils. It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade conditions. It grows slowly underneath an understory of conifers or hardwoods but grows faster in canopy openings and will eventually ascend into the overstory.

Flowering and Fruiting

American Beech is monoecious, flowering in April and May. The male flowers are yellowish green and droop in long stemmed clusters while the female flowers appear on short spikes. The female flowers evolve into triangular edible nuts enclosed by spiny bracts maturing in fall.

Pests and Diseases

American Beech has a few minor pest problems that include leaf spots, beech bark disease, aphids and beech scale.

ID Tips

Toothed leaf margins, smooth gray wrinkled bark, short trunk with wide spreading crown.