Sightings – Trees
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/23/23
Observation Time: 7:35 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon WIldlife Sanctuary (boardwalk)
Common Name: Alder Buckthorn
Scientific Name: Frangula alnus
Comments: Alder buckthorn, also known as glossy buckthorn, is a tall shrub. I saw a hummingbird moving from tiny blossom to tiny blossom. Otherwise I probably would not have noticed that it was in bloom. I also saw some bees and wasps feeding on the tiny blossoms.
Alder buckthorn does not have thorns. It was introduced in eastern North America from Asia about a century ago. It is now widespread and invasive. Birds eat the berries when they ripen in fall.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/19/19
Observation Time: 3:10 p.m.
Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail
Common Name: American Beech Tree
Scientific Name: Fagus grandifolia
Comments: These specimens were observed in a shady, wooded area. The American Beech is a shade-tolerant species, favoring shade more than other trees, commonly found in forests in the final stage of succession. Ecological succession is essentially the process of forests changing their composition through time; it is a pattern of events often observed on disturbed sites. Although sometimes found in pure stands, it is more often associated with sugar maple (forming the beech-maple climax community), yellow birch, and eastern hemlock, typically on moist well-drained slopes and rich bottomlands.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/22/18
Observation Time: 10:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Town-owned conservation land near Sandy Ridge Circle
Common Name: American Beech tree
Scientific Name: Fagus grandifolia
Comments: The American Beech is a shade-tolerant species, favoring shade more than other trees, commonly found in forests in the final stage of succession. Ecological succession is essentially the process of forests changing their composition through time; it is a pattern of events often observed on disturbed sites. Although sometimes found in pure stands, it is more often associated with sugar maple (forming the beech-maple climax community), yellow birch, and eastern hemlock, typically on moist well drained slopes and rich bottomlands.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/27/24
Observation Time: 6:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Massapoag Brook trail between Ames St. and Mann’s Pond
Common Name: American Beech Tree
Scientific Name: Fagus grandifolia
Comments: This beech tree is infected with Beech Leaf Disease (BLD). The disease kills and causes dieback of American beech trees. Since its discovery, BLD has been detected in 13 states, including Ohio, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia and the Canadian province of Ontario.
More Information: USDA Forest Service
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/19/15
Observation Time: 2:35 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: American Chestnut
Scientific Name: Castanea dentata
Comments: American chestnut was once very common in New England, but it has been practically wiped out by the chestnut blight, a pathogenic fungus. The fungus does not kill the roots, which continue to send up shoots for years. However, the fungus usually prevents the shoots from maturing into nut-bearing trees.
More Information: Wikipedia
This chestnut tree in the woods at Moose Hill has managed to survive despite being partially girdled by the blight. It has actually grown large enough to produce nuts.
Chestnuts on the ground:
This photo taken 8/6/10 shows what American Chestnut leaves look like:
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/24/10
Observation Time: 3:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Beaver Brook near tennis courts
Common Name: American Chestnut Tree
Scientific Name: Castanea dentata
Comments: The term “dentata” in the scientific name refers to the “teeth” around the edges of the leaves. American chestnut trees were decimated by chestnut blight. Remnant root systems continue to send up shoots such as those shown in the photos, but the blight prevents most of these shoots from getting large enough to produce nuts.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/23/19
Observation Time: 10:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail
Common Name: American Hornbeam
Scientific Name: Carpinus caroliniana
Comments: The common English name hornbeam derives from the hardness of the wood (likened to animal horn) and the Old English beam, meaning “tree” (cognate with German Baum). The American hornbeam is also occasionally known as blue-beech, ironwood, or musclewood, the first from the resemblance of the bark to that of the American beech Fagus grandifolia, the other two from the hardness of the wood and the muscular appearance of the trunk, respectively. Hornbeams are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species (i.e. butterflies and moths), including autumnal moth, common emerald, feathered thorn, walnut sphinx, Svensson’s copper underwing, and winter moth.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/4/11
Observation Time: 4:20 p.m.
Observation Location: Conservation land near Billings Street
Common Name: American Hornbeam
Scientific Name: Carpinus caroliniana
Comments: The common English name hornbeam derives from the hardness of the wood (likened to animal horn) and the Old English beam, meaning “tree” (cognate with German Baum). The American hornbeam is also occasionally known as blue-beech, ironwood, or musclewood, the first from the resemblance of the bark to that of the American beech Fagus grandifolia, the other two from the hardness of the wood and the muscular appearance of the trunk, respectively. Hornbeams are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species (i.e. butterflies and moths), including autumnal moth, common emerald, feathered thorn, walnut sphinx, Svensson’s copper underwing, and winter moth.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/24/21
Observation Time: 3:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Amur Cork Tree
Scientific Name: Phellodendron amurense
Comments: Phellodendron amurense is a perennial tree that can grow from 35-45 ft. (10-14 m) tall. The tree has a short trunk with spreading branches. The bark is thick and corky.
This tree is demonstrating invasive characteristics in suburban and urban fringe forests. It escapes intended plantings to invade and displace native hardwood forest. Note: only female plants have potential to become invasive. Phellodendron amurense is native to eastern Asia and was introduced into the United States in 1856. Trees prefer full sun and rich soils.
More Information: Invasive Plant Atlas
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/16/23
Observation Time: 4:55 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Ash Tree (diseased)
Scientific Name: genus Fraxinus
Comments: This tree was killed by emerald ash borer beetles, which have killed millions of ash trees and threaten the future of ash trees.
More Information: Britannica
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/22/18
Observation Time: 9:35 a.m.
Observation Location: banks of Beaver Brook (upstream of the tennis courts)
Common Name: Atlantic White Cedar tree
Scientific Name: Chamaecyparis thyoides
Comments: Atlantic White Cedars live almost exclusively in freshwater wetlands and are considered an obligate wetland species. They prefer habitats where the soil is saturated with water at least during the majority of the growing season. Though this tree species is not listed as threatened, Atlantic White Cedar wetlands are considered a globally threatened ecosystem, and often serve as carbon sinks because of their peat-building abilities. Caterpillars of the Hessel’s Hairstreak butterfly feed exclusively on C. thyoides, where its green color helps keep it camouflaged.
Sharon’s 250-acre Atlantic White Cedar swamp naturally purifies and stores the rainwater that recharges the springs that feed Lake Massapoag and the aquifers that provide Sharon residents with drinking water.
More Information: Wikipedia
The bark of Atlantic White Cedars has a spiral pattern up the tree trunk:
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/9/20
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: near soccer parking lot on Gavins Pond Road
Common Name: Bigtooth Aspen Tree
Scientific Name: Populus grandidentata
Comments: Bigtooth Aspen (Populusgrandidentata) is a native deciduous tree, which grows throughout northeastern North America. It is a member of the willow family. A fast-growing, but short-lived, pioneer species, Bigtooth Aspen attains heights of 60 to 80 feet.
More Information: WildAdirondacks.org
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/31/20
Observation Time: 5:15 p.m.
Observation Location: Trustees of Reservations’ Moose Hill Farm
Common Name: Black Gum Tree
Scientific Name: Nyssa sylvatica
Comments: Also known as black tupelo, this is one of the most attractive native trees around. Summer leaves are a dark green with a high-gloss appearance, but the most spectacular part of this tree is the fall foliage with many shades of yellow, orange, bright red, purple or scarlet that may appear on the same branch. Bark resembles alligator hide. Fruit is bluish-black and is loved by many birds. Grows 30′-50′ high, with a 20′-30′ spread. Prefers well-drained, acid soils, and full sun to partial shade.
More Information: Arbor Day Foundation
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/29/24
Observation Time: 11:00 a.m.
Observation Location: High Street, Sharon
Common Name: Black Locust tree
Scientific Name: Robinia pseudocacia
Comments: The blossoms of black locust trees are edible, but beware of the thorns.
More Information: The Foraged Foodie
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/30/15
Observation Time: 3:30 p.m.
Observation Location: near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Black Locust tree
Scientific Name: Robinia pseudocacia
Comments: The blossoms of black locust trees are good to eat, but beware of the thorns.
More Information: The Foraged Foodie
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/7/18
Observation Time: 3:15 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Butternut (White Walnut)
Scientific Name: Juglans cinerea
Comments: Butternut is a deciduous tree growing to 20 m (66 ft) tall, rarely 40 m (130 ft). Butternut is a slow-growing species, and rarely lives longer than 75 years. It has a 40–80 cm (16–31 in) stem diameter, with light gray bark.
More Information: Wikipedia and Arbor Day Foundation
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/22/18
Observation Time: 10:55 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Carolina Silverbell tree
Scientific Name: Halesia carolina
Comments: Carolina silverbell is a vigorous, fast-growing deciduous shrub or tree growing to 8 m (26 ft) tall by 10 m (33 ft) broad, bearing masses of pendent, bell-shaped white flowers which appear in spring. The flowers are followed by green, four-winged fruit. The leaves turn yellow in autumn.
Carolina silverbell grows mostly in the Piedmont and mountains of the Carolinas, eastern Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. Its distribution extends beyond this central area, however, in small populations scattered over the southeastern Coastal Plain, western Virginia, West Virginia, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, central Arkansas, and southeastern Oklahoma. The species has been successfully cultivated as far north as southern New England, in California, and in Europe .
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/6/23
Observation Time: 10:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Carolina Silverbell tree
Scientific Name: Halesia carolina
Comments: Carolina silverbell is a vigorous, fast-growing deciduous shrub or tree growing to 8 m (26 ft) tall by 10 m (33 ft) broad, bearing masses of pendent, bell-shaped white flowers which appear in spring. The flowers are followed by green, four-winged fruit. The leaves turn yellow in autumn.
Carolina silverbell grows mostly in the Piedmont and mountains of the Carolinas, eastern Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. Its distribution extends beyond this central area, however, in small populations scattered over the southeastern Coastal Plain, western Virginia, West Virginia, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, central Arkansas, and southeastern Oklahoma. The species has been successfully cultivated as far north as southern New England, in California, and in Europe .
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/25/16
Observation Time: 1:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Maskwonicut Street near Beaver Brook
Common name: Catalpa tree
Scientific Name: Catalpa speciosa
Comments: Large, bell-shaped 2″ white flowers are borne in 4″-8″ long panicles in late spring. The very large, 6″-12″ slightly heart-shaped, leaves turn yellow-greenish or brown in fall. Bean-like seed capsules, 8″-20″ long are green in color changing to brown and splitting open when ripe.
More Information: Arbor Day Foundation
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/2/11
Observation Time: 4:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Crab Apple
Scientific Name: Pyrus baccata
Comments: Red-tinged hairless leaves indicate this is may be a Siberian crab apple.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/3/20
Observation Time: 9:30 a.m.
Observation Location: near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Crabapple tree
Scientific Name: Malus spp.
Comments: Crabapple trees have lovely pink and white blossoms in spring. The apples they produce are tiny.
More Information: Crabapple tree indentification
Observer: Deborah Gilden
Observation Date: 5/27/24
Observation Time: late afternooon
Observation Location: Deborah Sampson and Billings corner “In memory of John Lowden…”
Common Name: Dogwood
Scientific Name: Cornus (genus)
Comments: Cornus is a genus of about 30–60 species of woody plants in the family Cornaceae, commonly known as dogwoods or cornels, which can generally be distinguished by their blossoms, berries, and distinctive bark.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/29/24
Observation Time: 12:15 p.m.
Observation Location: High Street, Sharon
Common Name: Eastern Hemlock tree
Scientific Name: Tsuga canadensis
Comments: Hemlocks are currently threatened by the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), a sap-sucking bug introduced from East Asia to the United States in 1924, and first found in the native range of eastern hemlock in the late 1960s. The adelgid has spread very rapidly in southern parts of the range once becoming established, while its expansion northward is slower, but progressing steadily as the climate warms.
Virtually all the hemlocks in the southern Appalachian Mountains have seen infestations of the insect within the last five to seven years, with thousands of hectares of stands dying within the last two to three years. Attempts to save representative examples on both public and private lands are on-going. A project named “Tsuga Search,” funded by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is being conducted to save the largest and tallest remaining eastern hemlocks in the Park. Through Tsuga Search, hemlocks have been found with trunk volumes up to 44.8 m³ within the park, making it the largest eastern evergreen conifer, eclipsing in volume both eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Hemlocks are currently listed as a near threatened species in the IUCN Red List.
More Information: Wikipedia
The whitish blemishes on the underside of this hemlock frond are tiny insects called hemlock wooly adelgid, which suck the juice from the hemlock needles and, if left untreated, will eventually kill the tree.
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/9/20
Observation Time: 5:00 p.m.
Observation Location: conservation land across the street from the Gavins Pond soccer fields
Common Name: Eastern Redcedar Tree
Scientific Name: Juniperus virginiana
Comments: Birds love its berries.
More Information: Arbor Day Foundation
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/9/20
Observation Time: 2:40 p.m.
Observation Location: meadow near Gavins Pond dam
Common Name: Gray Birch Tree
Scientific Name: Betula populifolia
Comments: Gray Birch is a small tree reaching a height of 20 to 30 feet. Bark is grayish white with little exfoliation compared to River Birch. Leaves are triangular with a narrow point, doubly serrated and fall color is light yellow. Branches become reddish brown with in a year and a dark V-shape patch appears just below. Gray Birch will grow in the poorest soils. Its wood is used for spools, barrel hoops and fuel. Several species of birds feed on the seeds and buds.
More Information: Native Trees of Indiana
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/29/24
Observation Time: 10:40 a.m.
Observation Location: High Street, Sharon
Common Name: Mulberry tree
Scientific Name: Morus (family)
Comments: Mulberry is a tree belonging to the Moraceae family (also including the fig, jackfruit, and other fruits). Generally, the genus has 64 subordinate taxa, three of which are well-known and are ostensibly named for the fruit color of the best-known cultivar: white, red, and black mulberry (Morus alba, M. rubra, and M. nigra, respectively). M. alba is native to South Asia, but is widely distributed across Europe, Southern Africa, South America, and North America. M. alba is also the species most preferred by the silkworm, and is regarded as an invasive species in Brazil and the United States.
The taxonomy of Morus is complex and disputed. Fossils of Morus appear in the Pliocene record of the Netherlands Over 150 species names have been published, and although differing sources may cite different selections of accepted names, less than 20 are accepted by the vast majority of botanical authorities. Morus classification is even further complicated by widespread hybridisation.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/29/24
Observation Time: 12:20 p.m.
Observation Location: High Street, Sharon
Common Name: Norway Maple tree
Scientific Name: Acer Platanoides
Comments: The Norway maple is native to eastern and central Europe and western Asia, from France east to Russia, north to southern Scandinavia and southeast to northern Iran. It was brought to North America in the mid-1700s as a shade tree. It is quite common in Sharon, and puts on a beautiful display in fall when its leaves turn yellow.
Like sugar maples, Norway maples can be tapped in late winter. Boiling down the sap produces a sweet, delicious maple syrup. It takes about 30 quarts of sap to produce one quart of syrup.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/9/20
Observation Time: 2:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond dam
Common Name: Norway Maple Tree
Scientific Name: Acer Platanoides
Comments: The Norway maple is native to eastern and central Europe and western Asia, from France east to Russia, north to southern Scandinavia and southeast to northern Iran. It was brought to North America in the mid-1700s as a shade tree. It is quite common in Sharon, and puts on a beautiful display in fall when its leaves turn yellow.
Like sugar maples, Norway maples can be tapped in late winter. Boiling down the sap produces a sweet, delicious syrup. It takes about 30 quarts of sap to produce one quart of syrup.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/19/19
Observation Time: 3:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail
Common Name: Pignut Hickory Tree
Scientific Name: Carya glabya
Comments: This tree is one of many plants identified along a botanical trail established by Kurt Buermann, President of the Sharon Friends of Conservation.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/26/10
Observation Time: 3:25 p.m.
Observation Location: headwaters of Beaver Brook
Common Name: Sassafras
Scientific Name: Sassafras albidum
Comments: Sassafras albidum is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 15–20 m (49–66 ft) tall, with a canopy up to 12 m (39 ft) wide, with a trunk up to 60 cm (24 in) in diameter, and a crown with many slender sympodial branches. The bark on trunk of mature trees is thick, dark red-brown, and deeply furrowed.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/24/24
Observation Time: 7:15 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Shagbark Hickory Tree
Scientific Name: Carya ovata
Comments: Shagbark hickory trees can grow over 100 feet tall. Shagbark hickory nuts are edible and provided nutrition to Native Americans.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/21/20
Observation Time: 4:35 p.m.
Observation Location: Corner of Gavins Pond Rd. and Col. Gridley Rd.
Common Name: Small-leaved Linden Tree
Scientific Name: Tilia cordata
Comments: Tilia cordata, commonly called small-leaved linden or little-leaf linden, is native to Europe. It has been widely planted in the U.S. as an ornamental shade tree because of its (a) attractive foliage, (b) dense, low-branched, pyramidal to ovate form and (c) tolerance for urban conditions. Ornamental features include fragrant pale yellow flowers in late spring.
The edges of the leaf blades have small teeth. This specimen is about 25 feet tall.
More Information: Missouri Botanical Garden
Observer: Deborah Radovsky
Observation Date: 5/11/17
Observation Time: early morning
Observation Location: Moose Hill, Billings Loop
Common Name: Sugar Maple Tree
Scientific Name: Acer saccharum
Comments: The two huge sugar maples near the barn on the Billings Loop are called George and Martha because they began life at around the same time as George Washington and his wife Martha. The Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary taps many of the sugar maples on its 2,000-acre property in late winter and makes maple syrup.
More Information: Arbor Day Foundation
Observer: Deborah Radovsky
Observation Date: 11/10/17
Observation time: unknown
Observation Location: Moose Hill, Vernal Pool Trail
Common Name: White Pine
Scientific Name: Pinus strobus
Comments: White pines are very common in Sharon.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Deborah Radovsky
Observation Date: 12/20/18
Observation Time: early morning
Observation Location: Conservation trail near the lake (dog park trail)
Common Name: White Pine
Scientific Name: Pinus strobus
Comments: White pines can live over 500 years and grow to more than 150 feet tall.
More Information: Wikipedia
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Observer: Kathy Farrell
Observation Date: 10/31/18
Observation Location: Mountain Street area
Common Name: Witchhazel
Scientific Name: Hamamelis virginiana
Comments: Small tree, very common in some areas off Mountain Street. Known for reducing skin inflammations such as acne. Used by Native Americans for dousing sticks to find water. Small yellow blossoms in October. Leaves turn yellow in autumn.
More Information: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/hamamelis_virginiana.shtml
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/19/19
Observation Time: 3:25 p.m.
Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail
Common Name: American Witchhazel
Scientific Name: Hamamelis virginiana
Comments: This specimen was observed in a shady, wooded area near the Sharon Friends of Conservation botanical trail.
More Information: Carolina Nature
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/20/20
Observation Time: 10:20 a.m.
Observation Location: near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Yellow Birch Tree
Scientific Name: Betula alleghaniensis
Comments: A large and important lumber species of birch native to North-eastern North America. It has shaggy bark.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/27/19
Observation Time: 2:15 p.m.
Observation Location: Conservation land near Morse & Lakeview
Common Name: Yellow Birch Tree
Scientific Name: Betula alleghaniensis
Comments: A large and important lumber species of birch native to North-eastern North America. It has shaggy bark.
More Information: Wikipedia
