Nature - Trees & Plants

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A tree that bears acorns as fruit, and typically has lobed deciduous leaves. Oaks are common in many north temperate forests and are an important source of hard and durable wood used chiefly in construction, furniture, and (formerly) shipbuilding.

Are approximately 600 extant species of oaks.

Have spirally arranged leaves.

Many deciduous species are marcescent, not dropping dead leaves until spring.

The fruit is a nut called an acorn.

Oak wood is dense creating great strength and hardness.

Is very resistant to insect and fungal attack.

Oak planking was common on high status Viking long ships.

A tall deciduous tree that typically has rough serrated leaves and propagates from root suckers.

First appeared about 20 million years ago.

Most mature elms of European or North American origin have died from Dutch elm disease.

There are about 30 to 40 species.

Most serious of the elm pests is the elm leaf beetle.

In North America, careful selection has      produced a number of trees resistant not only to disease, but also to the droughts and extremely cold winters afflicting the continent.

Take many decades to grow to maturity.

Elm wood was valued for its interlocking grain, and consequent resistance to splitting, with significant uses in wagon wheel hubs, chair seats and coffins.

A slender, fast-growing tree that has thin bark (often peeling) and bears catkins. Birch trees grow chiefly in north temperate regions, some reaching the northern limit of tree growth.

A thinleaved deciduous hardwood tree.

Generally small to medium-sized trees or shrubs.

Wood is fine-grained and pale in colour.

Extracts of birch are used for flavoring or leather oil.

Buds are used in folk medicine.

An evergreen coniferous tree that has clusters of long needle-shaped leaves. Many kinds are grown for their soft timber, which is widely used for furniture and pulp, or for tar and turpentine.

Most regions of the Northern Hemisphere host some native species of pines.

Bark of most pines is thick and scaly

Are long-lived, typically reaching ages of 100–1,000 years.

Have male and female cones on the same tree.

Seeds are only released by the bird breaking the cones open.

Most require good soil drainage, preferring sandy soils.

Valued for their timber and wood pulp

A tree or shrub with lobed leaves, winged fruits, and colorful autumn foliage, grown as an ornamental or for its timber or syrupy sap.

Are approximately 128 species.

Re renowned for their autumn leaf colour.

Are distinguished by opposite leaf arrangement.

Flowers are green, yellow, orange or red.

Leaves are shaped to spin as they fall.

In the United States and Canada, all maple species are threatened by the Asian long-horned beetle.

Is on the coat of arms of Canada, and is on the Canadian flag.

Maples are a popular choice for the art of bonsai.

Are important as source of syrup and wood.

A flowerless plant that has feathery or leafy fronds and reproduces by spores released from the undersides of the fronds. Ferns have a vascular system for the transport of water and nutrients.

Approximately 12,000 species.

Have stems and leaves.

First appear in the fossil record 360 million years ago.

Some are grown or gathered for food.

Live in a wide variety of habitats.

A climbing plant of the cashew family that secretes an irritant oil from its leaves, which can cause dermatitis.

Is a poisonous North American and Asian flowering plant.

Causes an itching, irritating, and sometimes painful rash.

Normally found in wooded areas, especially along edge areas where the tree line breaks and allows sunshine to filter through.

To identify poison ivy in most situations: (a) clusters of three leaflets, (b) alternate leaf arrangement, (c) lack of thorns, and (d) each group of three leaflets grows on its own stem.

Dermatitis is the allergic reaction caused by poison ivy.

Around 15% to 30% of people have no allergic reaction.

Immediate washing with soap and cold water or rubbing alcohol may help prevent a reaction.