Tennessee`s Beautiful Trees..

Tennessee’s Beautiful Trees.....
June 7th, 2013 by TheNaturalist52
One of Tennessee’s greatest natural resources is the abundance of trees.
When on the southern Cumberland Plateau, location of Jasper Highlands, one
cannot help but notice the trees...and the panoramic vistas of tree covered
mountains in every direction. This post is dedicated to the trees.
Tennessee Autumn
As one of our recent guests, from the state of Texas stated, “Trees, trees,
trees....I have never seen so many trees in my life!” To fully appreciate
the serenity of the Tennessee forest, and enjoy a rewarding and relaxing
experience, all one has to do is take a walk along one of the trails of Jasper
Highlands. You are sure to be moved by the experience of spending time
Sweetgum Trail
moving through the forest, and sharing time and space with incredible rock
formations, mountain views, streams, waterfalls, and the abundant wildlife. In
Tennessee, trees, both deciduous and coniferous, come in many shapes and
sizes. From the towering oaks to understory species like the Mountain Laurel,
Tennessee is blessed with trees. There are several common groups of trees
Post Oak
Red Maple
Mockernut
Hickory
in our area. Among them are the Oaks (10 species), Maple (one very common
species – Red Maple), Hickories (3 species), Sweetgum, Blackgum, Tuliptree
Sweetgum
Blackgum
Yellow Poplar
(Yellow Poplar), and Pines (3 species). Dogwood, Redbud, Wild Cherry, White
Ash, American Holly, Sassafras, Winged Elm, Sumac, American Beech and
American
Holly
Sassafras
Sourgum
Sourgum will also be seen while walking the trails and properties of Jasper
Highlands. The understory, the shrub-like species, include the Mountain Laurel,
Viburnum, Spicebush, Alder, Wild Azalea and Hawthorns. Evergreens of Jasper
Highlands include conifers like the Shortleaf Pine, Virginia Pine, White Pine, and
Eastern Hemlock (genus Tsuga). Mountain Laurel and the American Holly, also
Moutain
Laurel
White Pine
evergreen, are quite common. With a good field guide and some time spent in
the forest, one can learn to identify the trees. In winter, I use the bark, profile,
and twigs. In summer, I primarily rely on the leaves. By request, I often walk
Jasper Highlands properties (with the owner of the property) to identify the
trees, or in some cases, suggest species that could be transplanted to enhance
the property. Common Jasper Highlands native species are identified, by their
leaves, in this post. A few notes on the trees of Jasper Highlands ....
Fall Coloration
• Golden/Yellow: Hickories – Beech – Yellow Poplar
• Sassafras Burgundy: Blackgum – Sweetgum – Sourgum - Dogwood
• Red: Red Maple - Sumac
Flowering Species
• Yellow Poplar (yellow)
• Dogwood (white)
• Redbud (dark pink)
• Wild Azalea (white and pink...one species orange)
• Mountain Laurel (white and pink)
• Downy Serviceberry (white)
The Yellow Popular
• (Tuliptree) is the state tree of Tennessee
The Oaks
• Chestnut
• Chinkapin
• Red (Southern and Northern)
• White
• Black
• Scarlet
• Post
• Blackjack
• Bur
In our area, typically peak coloration of the fall foliage is
the third week of October...but could be a week either way.
Deciduous leaves are usually gone from the trees by the
second week in November, to re-emerge in April (March
for a few species). In addition to their inspiring presence,
trees occupy a vital role in the ecosystems of Tennessee.
For a lot of reasons, it is imperative that we all are aware of
the importance of our beautiful trees.
More soon on The Fence Post.