Trees – Page 3 – Freeman Research Institute

Black Spruce – Picea mariana

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description
Small tree; straight trunk up to 12″ in diameter with somewhat drooping branches; mature tree usually reaches a height of 20′ to 30′, although under favorable conditions, it can attain a height of 70′ to 80′; often associated with tamarack, balsam fir, and white cedar. In cold swamps the growth is practically stagnant and trees 2″ in diameter have been found to be 127 years old.

Occurrence
Several specimens planted around the main marsh in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.

White Spruce – Picea glauca

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description
Height usually 40′ to 60′, occasionally 100′, with a diameter of 24″; straight trunk; long, stout branches form broad conical head.

Occurrence
The oldest and largest tree died in 2015. Many others planted in 1987/1988 are good sized trees today – primarily found around the main pine grove.

Northern Catalpa – Catalpa speciosa

Native To State: NO
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description
Features large spade-shaped leaves and flowers with large white orchid-like flowers.

Occurrence
One specimen planted along farm yard driveway.

Sawtooth Aspen – Populus grandidentata

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description
Medium to large; height sometimes 60′ to 80′, diameter 10″ to 20″; slender, rather rigid branches create narrow round-topped crown.

Occurrence
One large tree in farm yard. A population of Sawtooth Aspen occur on the western side of the large brush island.

Eastern Hemlock – Tsuga canadensis

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description
Height 50′ to 75′; diameter 24″ to 36″; trunk straight, upright; branches spreading and nearly horizontal; leading shoot in young trees usually drooping; twigs slender.

Occurrence
Two small trees in farm yard.

Arbor Vitae – Thuja occidentalis

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description
Compact, pyramidal; height 50′ to 60′, diameter 24″ to 36″; trunk often twisted, strongly tapered, and frequently divided into two or more direct stems; branches short and nearly horizontal; sometimes forms almost impenetrable thickets because dead branches are very stiff and persistent; in the open, develops a conical, symmetrical crown. There are numerous ornamental or garden varieties of white cedar known as arborvitae.

Occurrence
Several larger specimens found around the edges of the farm yard.

Chinese Cork Tree – Phellodendron amurense

Native To State: NO
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description
Asian tree with characteristics similar to native ash trees. Leaves smell pungent. Produces berries in late summer which are edible to birds.

Occurrence
Two mid-sized specimens in the farm yard and seedlings planted along east side of property in 2017.

Ironwood – Ostrya virginiana

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description
Height 20′ to 40′, diameter 5″ to 12″; top generally rounded; branches long and slender, drooping at ends. Also known as eastern hophornbeam. The tree receives its common names from its extremely tough wood and hoplike fruit.

Occurrence
Widely occurring in the understory of woods in the formerly pastured areas.

Balsam Fir – Abies balsamea

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description
Medium size; height 40′ to 60′ with continuous straight tapering trunk from root to top; diameter 9″ to 20″ or more; spreading branches form a handsome, symmetrical, slender pyramid.

Occurrence
Several good-sized specimens appear along the edge of the farm yard, and two nice groups on either side of the marsh.

Black Locust – Robinia pseudoacacia

Native To State: NO
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description
Moderate sized tree with thorns and lacy compound leaves. Fragrant white flowers. Runs underground and is considered a weed in Minnesota.

Occurrence
Two specimens. One in farm yard and one along fence line off the Hawthorne loop trail.