Salt Plains NWR Just 4 Kids Tree ID

Tree Identification

While walking on the trails or driving the auto tour, the ability to identify the dominant tree species will enrich your outdoor experience. Here are several of the trees and vines you will see on the refuge.

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Cottonwood - (Populus deltoides) Commonly found in riparian areas, this is one of the tallest trees on the refuge. Look for leaves that look shiny.
Sandbar Willow - (Salix interior) Smaller than the black willow, this shrubby tree also grows near water. Its leaves are narrow and smaller than the black willow and sometimes appear dusty.
Black Willow - (Salix nigra) This is the tallest of the willows. Like all willows, it grows near water.
Roughleaf Dogwood - (Cornus drummondii) This shrub is covered with white blossoms which later bear small white berries in late summer. Leaves are arranged oppositely.
Eastern Red Cedar - (Juniperus virginiana) This evergreen has red papery bark that looks like it could be pulled off in long strips. The female bears hard blue berries.
American Elm - (Ulmus americana) Leaves have very straight diagonal veins and a toothed or serrated edge. Leaves feel very rough and stiff.
Chittumwood - (Bumelia lanuginosa) This tree bears tiny yellow flowers in summer and deep purple berries in fall. Unlike most leaves, the widest part of the leaf is closer to the middle, contrasting it with other leaves, which have the widest part near the pedicle.
Wild Grape - (Vitis s.) This vine produces clusters of sour fruit. The leaves are fuzzy.
Hackberry - (Celtis occidentalis) Like American elm, these leaves feel rough and stiff. Birds eat the small, hard fruits.
Southern Catalpa - (Catalpa speciosa) Leaves are very large and heart shaped, has long green pods and pink flowers in the spring.
Red Mulberry - (Morus rubra) Fruit is soft, sweet and edible, leaves come in a variety of different shapes, all with toothed or serrated edges.
Smooth Sumac - (Rhus glabra) This shrub has compound toothed leaves and clusters of red berries. Leaves can be brilliant red in the fall.
Aromatic Sumac - (Rhus aromatics) Leaves emit a strong fragrance when broken. This shrub has clusters of red fuzzy berries.
Green Ash - (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) Compound leaves and airborne seeds characterize this tree.
Sycamore - (Platanus occidentalis) Characterized by peeling bark, this tree bears fuzzy seed balls.
Poison Ivy - (Toxicodendron radicans) Poison Ivy is characterized by the 3 leaves. This plant is fuzzy on the underside of the leaves. Can grow very large and get a woody base or can be a smaller vine. Look for the 3 leaves.
Virginia Creeper - (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) Often mistaken for a poisonous vine, V. creeper is harmless. This vine covers trees with 5-leaves. In fall, the leaves turn a brilliant red color.
False Indigo - (Amorpha fruticosa) Characterized by complex leaflets, this shrub is part of the legume family. Its seed pods and smaller size distinguish it from the honey locust tree.
Prickly Pear - (Opuntia spp.) Characterized by green pads and long thorns, cactus can be something to avoid touching. Certain species bear fruit, called tunas, that are made into jellies.