SIBLEY’S

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Key for Symbols

A = average M = maximum

D = deciduous

E = evergreen< smaller than> larger than

Written and illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Common Trees

Cities & Towns

Mid-Atlantic

& Midwest Region

of the

in the

Copyright ©2012 by David Allen Sibley

Published by Steven M. Lewers & AssociatesPO Box 60Wilton, NH 03086(603) 654-7649e-mail: info@foldingguides.com

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TCM-153

Japanese Flowering CherrySmall spreading trees; many varieties developed

for spectacular spring flowers; some have weeping habit. Very commonly cultivated. None

known to be naturalized.A 20 – 30' M 45' D

Common HorsechestnutAttractive cultivated tree with large dark leaves in summer; spectacular flowers in spring; stout,

upswept twigs in winter. A 60' M 108' D

flowers creamy-white erect clusters 10" tall

large 14" leaves with 7 broad tapered leaflets

fruit a spiny capsule enclosing 2" wide shiny brown nut

Silver MapleLarge tree with wide crown of brittle,

arching and drooping branches. Closely related to Red Maple, but with delicately divided leaves, little or

no red color.A 70' M 138' D

leaves 61⁄2", deeply 5-lobed with large teeth

fruit large, 13⁄4", largest wings of any native maple

greenish-yellow flowers in early spring

Norway MapleMedium to large tree, typically a dense and

well-formed oval of dark green leaves—a classic shade tree.A 60' M 137' D

fruit 1¾”, spreading, recurved wings

broad leaves 5" long, with 5 lobes

purple-leaved cultivated variety common

flowers bright yellow-green in erect clusters

fruit 1" with divergent wings

Red MapleNamed for the strong red tones to virtually all parts of the tree, especially twigs, flowers, and fall leaves. One of the widest latitudinal ranges of any N. American tree.A 70' M 179' D

leaves 4" on red stalk

flowers red to yellow, short-stemmed clusters in early spring

leaves 4½", usually large and broad, coarsely toothed

most cultivars flower in early spring before or with leaves

some cultivars have double flowers with extra petals

Northern CatalpaSmall to medium tree usually upright with twisted trunk thick at base, but tapering quickly. Leaves emerge late in spring and grow slowly, remaining

bright yellow-green after most or all other trees have hardened, dark green leaves.

A 30 – 60' M 107' D

Royal PaulowniaMedium to large tree; sparse stout, upswept twigs and unkempt appearance. Main branches and trunk contorted, with many stout vertical smaller

branches and twigs.A 40 – 60' M 105' D

leaves 8", long stalk

fruit 14”, long slender pod, green turning dark brown

previous year’s growth retains old

brown seed pods; new growth tipped with spikes of light yellow-brown buds

flowers bell-shaped

flowers large but few per cluster (Apr–Jun)

American ElmIts size and graceful

spreading crown made this a popular shade tree before it was decimated

by disease in the mid-1900s. Still common as a small

tree, and some large specimenssurvive in towns and cities.

A 80' M 160' D

fruit hanging in clusters as leaves expand

leaves 5", oval with rough double-toothed edges

Littleleaf LindenLinden wood is lightweight, but strong and

stable; used in model-building and carving and in musical instruments. Commercially

important as an ornamental shade tree. A 60 – 70' M 96' D

leaves small, 2 1⁄2", heart-shaped at base

small greenish-yellow flowers hang below pale leaves

Washington HawthornSmall tree; flowers relatively late and noted for foul smell. Small red fruit ripens in winter.

A 25' D

small white flowers, 1⁄3 –1", in dense clusters

Common AppleWide-spreading with short, stout trunk. Hard wood is used for crafts and firewood. Many edible varieties. Rule of thumb: fruit < 2" is a crab apple; fruit > 2" is an apple.A 30' M 70' D

green or red fruit variable in size to 5"

flowers often profuse and large, about 11⁄4" across

leaves 3", finely toothed, oval

crab apple fruit varies in color, shape, and size, from 1⁄4" to 3⁄4"

Callery PearDistinctive year-round tree with neatly

conical to rounded habit, short trunk. Large whitish winter buds

with showy white flowers in early spring; dense dark summer foliage. A 30' M 59' D

small 2½" rounded leaves

flowers in small round clusters

small ½" fruit on long stiff stalks

Southern HackberrySmall to large spreading tree with broad crown and branches, often drooping. Some small trunks are very warty, while

other large trees retain smooth gray bark. A 60 – 80' M 148' D

leaves 3" with few or no teeth

older trunks develop conspicuous warty knobs

unkempt appearance, with large contorted branches and dense clumps of fine twigs

Flowering Dogwood Small tree with short trunk and oval or spreading crown with relatively sparse leaves arranged in layers. The “flower” is really a cluster of small greenish flowers surrounded by showy white leaves growing at the base. A 15 – 30' M 55' D

AilanthusMedium to large tree typified by open crown with sparse, heavy twigs and very large pinnate leaves. Small trees can be a single unbranched stem. Notable for its tolerance of pollution and other urban conditions and ability to invasively conquer new territory.A 40 – 60' M 89' D

leaves 41⁄2"; veins curve to follow leaf edge

compound leaves 12"; usually 7 leaflets, each 4"

fruit 11⁄2", green to red when ripe, maturing light to dark brown

White AshMedium to large tree with long straight trunk and deeply furrowed bark.

A 50 – 80' M 152' Dmale flowers in dense purple and green clusters

fruit 1⁄2" red berry in compact cluster

some wild trees and cultivated varieties feature pink petals

flower cluster within 4 white petals with notched tips

female trees retain large bunches of straw-colored fruit through winter

leaves very large, 24"; many leaflets, each to 4"

American HollyShrub or small tree, generally upright with short trunk and branches to ground; fairly dense, narrow crown of small, dark green leaves.

A 20 – 40' M 100' E

leaf 31⁄2", oval, stiff, curled, usually with sharp spines at edge

leaves 9", fuzzy, heart-shaped

fruit 1⁄3" berries in small clusters; usually red, sometimes yellow

flowers large, 2", in large upright clusters, in spring before leaves (Apr–May)

fruit 3⁄8 ", in 5-seeded clusters on long stems