COMMON TREES _of_
PENNSYLVANIA
PREPARED BY
J. E. Ibberson, A. B. Mickalitis, J. E. Aughanbaugh and C. L. Morris
ILLUSTRATIONS BY
J. M. Francis
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
· ·
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA
[Illustration: DIAGRAM SHOWING FUNCTIONS OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF A TREE
Courtesy of the _New Tree Experts Manual_ by Richard R. Fenska]
MEDULLARY RAYS
CONDUCT FOOD AND WATER RADIALLY, SERVE IN FOOD STORAGE
PITH
ANNUAL RINGS
INDICATE GROWTH, NORMALLY ONE RING PER YEAR
LEAVES
THE AIR SUPPLIES CARBON, THE PRINCIPAL FOOD OF THE TREE, WHICH IS
TAKEN IN ON THE UNDER SURFACE OF THE LEAVES.
HEARTWOOD (INACTIVE CELLS)
ADDS STRUCTURAL SUPPORT
SAPWOOD
CARRIES FOOD AND WATER UPWARD
CAMBIUM
GROWING LAYER, CELLS DIVIDE HERE TO FORM BOTH BARK AND WOOD.
INNER BARK
CARRIES FOOD MADE IN THE LEAVES DOWNWARD TO CAMBIUM AND STORAGE
CELLS.
OUTER BARK
INACTIVE CELLS FORM PROTECTION FOR INNER BARK
SOIL
BACTERIA AND FUNGI MAKE AVAILABLE SOIL NUTRIENTS
ROOTS
ABSORB FOOD ELEMENTS THROUGH THE TINY ROOT HAIRS, ALSO PROVIDE
ANCHORAGE
FOREWORD
The purpose of this booklet is to make the reader’s life more enjoyable
by being able to identify, through leaf, twig and bark characteristics,
the important trees of Pennsylvania at various seasons of the year.
Today, more than ever before, trees play an increasingly important part
in our lives.
Trees produce wood, one of the essentials of our everyday life. The uses
for wood are rapidly increasing.
Trees provide shade and solace for man; they help to beautify the places
where we live; help purify the air we breathe and the water we drink;
enrich the soil and retard the earth from sliding into our streams, and
provide food and shelter for wildlife.
In a few words: Trees live to give.
We sincerely hope the brief study of tree features described in this
publication will help you to develop a closer feeling for our mutual
friends of the plant kingdom—the trees of our land.
Many a tree is found in the wood,
And every tree for its use is good;
Some for the strength of the gnarled root,
Some for the sweetness of flower or fruit;
Some for shelter against the storm,
And some to keep the hearthstone warm,
Some for the roof and some for the beam,
And some for a boat to breast the storm;
In the wealth of the wood since the world began
The trees have offered their gifts to man.
—HENRY VAN DYKE
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Department of Environmental Resources
Harrisburg, 1971