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.

       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.