Plants

  • Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora~Invasive Species)

    Family: Rosaceae

    Other common names: rambler rose and baby rose

    Multiflora Rose

    Background

    Multiflora rose was introduced into the eastern United States in 1866. It is native to eastern Japan, China, and Korea. It was introduced into the U.S. to act as a “living fence” for farmers to use to keep their cattle maintained and also to help in erosion control. 

  • Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra)

     Family: Juglandaceae

    The Pignut hickory is a common tree found throughout the eastern United States. Pignut hickory frequently grows on dry ridgetops and side slopes throughout its range but it is also common on moist sites.

    It has alternate compound leaves comprised of (usually) 5 leaflets with the bottom two being slightly smaller. The color of the leaves is a dark green and the leaf surfaces have a smooth texture.

    The nuts are relatively small and pear-shaped.

  • Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)

    Family: Anacardiaceae

    This plant can be found nearly anywhere in the continental United States. In Ohio, it usually grows as a woody vine that climbs up a tree trunk. But it can also spread along the ground, especially in the vicinity of an established vine.  The roots of the vine grow under the ground and often sprout up to form to what look like new plants.

  • Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia)

    Family: Vitaceae

    Riverbank grape is a climbing vine commonly found along rivers, streams, swamps, and marshes in Ohio. It can climb up a tree as high as 50 feet. As it grows up into the canopy and creates shading with its own leaves, it can potentially kill its host plant.

    Riverbank Grape

  • Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)

    Family: Ulmaceae

    Other names: red elm, gray elm, soft elm, moose elm, Indian elm

    Slippery Elm is widely distributed in eastern North America, where it thrives in moist uplands, although it will also grow in dry, intermediate soils.

    Slippery elm is most easily recognized by the broad oval coarsely toothed leaves that have a rough sandpapery surface.  Each leaf has straight veins that run out to the toothed leaf edge.  The slippery elm has leaves that are usually larger and wider compared to the more common American elm.  The leaves are a dark green in the summer, but a few golden or yellow leaves are dispersed throughout the tree in the early fall.

  • Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

    Family:  Sapindaceae

    Sugar maples are one of the most common and widespread trees in eastern North America, and they are one of the most abundant trees in the forested areas of Ohio.  They are also widely planted as ornamentals in residential areas because of their tolerance to shade, spreading growth form, and brilliantly colored leaves in the fall.  

    Mature trees range from 70 to 90 feet in height and 2 to 3 feet in diameter.

  • The Woods

    The Woods was a no-man’s land of tangled trees, brush, and debris when it was acquired in 2013.  Today the area provides a shady park-like setting for visitors to enjoy.  More than 30 different kinds of trees attract a variety of woodland birds and a few species of mammals.  Enjoy a leisurely walk through the woods as you look at the interesting variety of trees and animals.  How many can you identify?

    Red Headed Woodpecker

    Photo:  Watch out for beautiful Red-headed Woodpeckers as they fly from tree to tree searching for food.  Courtesy of D. Mosher, Mount Vernon Nazarene University. 

  • Tree Identification

    As you walk through The Woods, how many trees can you identify?

    Remember “Leaves of three, let them be”. Yes, poison ivy is common in The Woods. Poison Ivy grows as a woody vine that climbs up the tree trunks, so be very careful not to touch any parts of the climbing vines. Another climbing vine is sometimes confused with poison ivy, but Virginia creeper usually has five leaflets.

  • Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

     

    Family: Vitaceae

    The Virginia creeper vine is very common in Ohio, often seen climbing up trees. It can climb tree trunks as high as 50 feet and it is very weather tolerant. This plant is often confused with poison ivy. Both plants are flowering, have similarly shaped leaves, and are climbing vines.

    Virginia Creeper 01 Virginia Creeper 02

  • White Mulberry (Morus alba)

           Family: Moraceae

    • Native to eastern and central China.
    • Introduced into America for silkworm culture in early colonial times.
    • Considered a trashy or weed tree in many parts of the country including urban areas. Needs full sun and also adequate space.
    • Named for the color of its buds, rather than the color of its fruit. The fruits are edible by wildlife and birds, but the wild white mulberry fruits are not normally eaten by humans.
    • Leaves are uniquely shaped. They are variously lobed even on the same tree. Some of the leaves are mitten-shaped, while others have multiple lobes, and some may not have any lobes.

     

    White Mulberry