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Latin Name:Quercus albaLocations Found:White Oaks are found in the eastern United States, spanning from Maine to Florida and west to Minnesota and Texas.Characteristics:The White Oak is a majestic tree with a broad, rounded shape. Its bark is light gray, looking almost like it's wearing armor. The leaves are super cool, with rounded lobes (like wavy fingers) and a bright green color that turns purple-red in the fall. In spring, it shows off long, yellow-green catkins (those are like tassel-like flowers). -
Latin Name:Rhus lanceaLocations Found:African Sumac trees are native to southern Africa, but they have also put down roots in other warm places, like Australia, the Mediterranean, and the southern United States.Characteristics:The African Sumac is an evergreen tree, which means it keeps its leaves all year round. Its leaves are sleek and shiny, grouped in threes like a little green family. The tree has a willowy look with a twisty trunk and branches that spread out to make a lovely, shady spot. In spring, it sprouts small, yellowish flowers that bring a sprinkle of color to its greenery.
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Latin Name:Tilia americanaLocations Found:You'll find these leafy giants in the eastern parts of North America, from Manitoba in Canada, sweeping down to Alabama and over to the Atlantic Ocean in the United States.Characteristics:American Lime trees are easy to spot. They have heart-shaped leaves that feel like velvet, and in the summer, they bloom with small, creamy-white flowers that smell sweet enough to eat (but please don't!). The flowers are not just pretty; they're a favorite snack for bees, making this tree a buzzing hotspot for honey-making.
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Latin Name:Populus nigraLocations Found:These towering trees are found throughout Europe and into western Asia. They like to grow near rivers and floodplains, where their roots can drink up lots of water.Characteristics:Black Poplars are easy to recognize with their thick, rugged bark that's deeply grooved, almost like it's been crisscrossed by tiny rivers. Their leaves are pretty special too, shaped like triangles with wavy teeth around the edges, and they flutter in the breeze, making a peaceful rustling sound.
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Latin Name:Juglans nigraLocations Found:This tree is a true American, growing mostly in the eastern and central United States.Characteristics:Black Walnuts have a secret weapon hidden in their green leaves. They release a chemical into the soil that can make it hard for other plants to grow near them—it's like their way of keeping the garden all to themselves! They also have big, compound leaves (that means they have lots of little leaflets on one big leaf), and their bark is dark and deeply grooved, looking a bit like a dried-up riverbed.
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Latin Name:Acer negundoLocations Found:These cool trees are found all over the place! You can spot them in the eastern United States, and they stretch all the way across to the Rocky Mountains. They love hanging out near rivers, streams, and in wetlands, but they're also happy to grow in cities and towns.Characteristics:Box Elder trees have a superpower: they can grow almost anywhere! They're easy to spot with their leaves that look a lot like ash tree leaves – they're compound, which means each leaf has several smaller leaflets. In spring, they show off their tiny flowers, and by fall, they're flaunting winged seeds that whirl and twirl through the air like tiny helicopters.
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Latin Name:Tsuga canadensisLocations Found:This amazing tree is a true North American! You can find it in the cool, moist forests of eastern North America, from as far north as Nova Scotia in Canada all the way down to Georgia and Alabama in the United States. They love hanging out in the shadows of bigger trees and near streams and rivers.Characteristics:Canadian Hemlock trees are really special because of their looks. They have short, flat needles that are dark green on top and have two white stripes underneath. The branches of the tree droop gracefully, making it look like a green, cascading waterfall. In the winter, you might see tiny cones hanging like little ornaments from its branches.
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Latin Name:Prunus laurocerasusLocations Found:Originally from regions around the Black Sea, like southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, the Cherry Laurel has become a popular ornamental tree in many parts of the world, especially in Europe and North America. It loves milder climates and can often be found in parks, gardens, and landscapes.Characteristics:The Cherry Laurel is a real showstopper with its shiny, evergreen leaves that stay green all year round. In spring, it bursts into life with beautiful white flower spikes that are a hit with bees and butterflies. These flowers later turn into small, dark berries. But be careful, as pretty as they are, these berries and leaves are not for snacking – they're actually poisonous!
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Latin Name:Cornus speciesLocations Found:Dogwood trees are quite the travelers! They are mainly found in the temperateTemperate refers to a climate that's not too hot and not too cold, with moderate rainfall and distinct seasons like spring, summer, fall, and winter. You'll find temperate areas in parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. It's the kind of climate where you can see a wide variety of plants and animals, including deciduous trees that lose their leaves in the fall. Learn More regions of the Northern Hemisphere including Europe, East Asia, and North America. In the United States, they are especially common in the eastern and central regions, adorning forests, parks, and backyards.Characteristics:The Dogwood tree is a real beauty. In the spring, it puts on a show with its stunning flowers, which are actually not flowers but modified leaves called bracts. These bracts are usually white or pink and look like stars twinkling in the forest. The actual flowers are small and clustered in the center. The tree also has distinctive, broad leaves that turn fiery red or purple in the fall. And let's not forget its red berries, which are a treat for birds!
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Latin Name:Populus deltoidesLocations Found:The Eastern Cottonwood tree is quite the traveler, spreading its branches across much of North America. You can find it growing by rivers, streams, and lakes from the United States' Rocky Mountains all the way to the eastern coast, and as far north as Canada. It loves places where it can get its roots wet!Characteristics:The Eastern Cottonwood is famous for its super-fast growth and towering height. It has a broad, open crown and big, heart-shaped leaves that shimmer and rustle in the breeze – a sound that's as soothing as a whisper. In the spring, it produces fluffy, cotton-like seeds that float through the air like tiny snowflakes.
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Latin Name:Ginkgo bilobaLocations Found:Originally from China, the Ginkgo Biloba tree has become a global traveler. Today, you can find it in cities around the world, from America to Europe to Asia. It's a popular tree in urban areas because it's tough and can handle city life pretty well.Characteristics:The Ginkgo tree is like nature's own masterpiece with its unique fan-shaped leaves that turn a brilliant yellow in the fall. It's a living fossil, meaning it's been around since the dinosaurs! Plus, it has a cool way of surviving; it can grow back even after being damaged.
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Latin Name:Gleditsia triacanthosLocations Found:The Honey Locust tree loves to travel across the eastern and central United States. You can spot it from Pennsylvania all the way to Nebraska and down to Texas. It's a tough tree that can grow in different environments, from river valleys to dry plains.Characteristics:What makes the Honey Locust stand out are its big thorns – some can be as long as 4 inches! These thorns once helped protect the tree from giant Ice Age mammals. It also has delicate, feathery leaves and long, twisted seed pods. In the fall, its leaves turn a beautiful yellow, making it a stunning sight.
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Latin Name:Acer palmatumLocations Found:The Japanese Maple originally comes from, you guessed it, Japan! It's also native to parts of China and Korea. Today, it's a popular tree in many parts of the world, especially in gardens and parks for its ornamental beauty. It loves places with mild, moist climates.Characteristics:Japanese Maples are like the stars of the tree world. They have beautifully shaped leaves that can be palmate (like a hand with fingers) or lace-like. These leaves turn fabulous shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall, creating a spectacular show. The tree itself can have an upright or weeping form, making each one unique.
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Latin Name:Pinus contortaLocations Found:The Lodgepole Pine is a true explorer of the west! It's commonly found in the western parts of North America, from Yukon and British Columbia in Canada down through the Rocky Mountains to Mexico. It's a tree that loves the mountains but is also right at home near the coast.Characteristics:The Lodgepole Pine is a slender and tall tree, known for its ability to stand straight and tall, like a lodgepole (that's where it gets its name!). Its needles are thin and short, and they grow in pairs. One of the coolest things about this tree is how it adapts to its environment – it can look different depending on where it grows!
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Latin Name:Mangifera indicaLocations Found:Mango trees originally come from South Asia but have made their way to numerous tropical and subtropical regions around the world. You can find them thriving in countries like India, Thailand, the Philippines, and parts of Africa, South America, and even in some warmer regions of the United States, like Florida and California.Characteristics:Mango trees are beloved for their luscious, juicy fruits, but there's more to them. They have a broad, dense canopy with dark green, shiny leaves that provide a generous amount of shade. When they flower, the tree is covered in small white blossoms that have a sweet, gentle fragrance.
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Latin Name:Acer saccharumLocations Found:The Sugar Maple is a true North American treasure. It grows in the cooler climates of the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. From the maple-rich forests of Vermont to the scenic landscapes of Ontario, this tree is a fall-time star.Characteristics:The Sugar Maple is a standout with its vibrant fall colors. Its leaves can turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and deep red, creating a breathtaking autumn display. The leaves have a distinctive shape, with five lobes and smooth edges, making them a favorite image in art and photography. Plus, the tree's bark is gray and becomes deeply furrowed as it ages.
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Latin Name:Acer griseumLocations Found:The Paper Bark Maple is originally from central China. However, because of its stunning beauty, it has traveled far and wide and is now a cherished tree in gardens and parks around the world, especially in temperate regions.Characteristics:The Paper Bark Maple is truly a standout tree, famous for its peeling, cinnamon-colored bark. This bark peels away in thin, paper-like layers, revealing a smooth, new bark underneath. It's like the tree is constantly renewing itself! Its leaves are also quite beautiful, with three leaflets forming a single leaf, and they turn a fiery red or orange in the fall.
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Latin Name:Betula nigraLocations Found:The River Birch is a true adventurer of the riverbanks, mainly found along the streams and rivers of the eastern United States, stretching from New England to northern Florida, and as far west as KansasCharacteristics:The River Birch is famous for its unique, peeling bark. The bark peels away in papery layers, revealing a palette of colors from salmon pink to reddish-brown to creamy white. It's like the tree is wearing a patchwork coat! Its leaves are diamond-shaped with a slightly jagged edge, dancing and fluttering in the breeze.
