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Information complied from William S. Taber, Delaware Trees A Guide to the Identification of Native Tree Species. Delaware Department of Agriculture Forest Service, 1995 (1939); unless otherwise noted. 1. American Holly, Ilex opaca The State Tree of Delaware, the American Holly is perhaps best known for its use during the holiday season. Its wood is also used in furniture and piano construction. 2. Blue Spruce Pine, Picea pungens var. glauca Also known as the Colorado Spruce, the Blue Spruce is a common pine that generally draws attention to itself with its size and individually unique shapes. 3. Catalpa, Catalpa speciosa Shorter flower clusters than its southern relative, known commonly as the Indian Cigar Tree, this tree’s wood was used in the production of fence post and railroad ties. 4. Cedar, Chamaecyparis thyoides Centuries ago as the first Dutch, English and Swedish settlers came to Delaware, they were overwhelmed by the vastness of Delaware’s cedar forests. Boasting of large tracks of cedar and cypress swamps where high noon could feel like dusk, Delaware has been stripped of much of its swamp areas due to development and logging. Cedars were and still are popular for shipbuilding, posts and fences, cooperage, shingles and lumber. 5. Crab Apple, Malus var. Pyrus augustifolia Fruit is not important in Delaware nor is the foliage highly sought after due to highly deciduous nature, but this tree does provide excellent shade. 6. Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica Introduced to Delaware from India but probably of Chinese extraction, the Crape Myrtle is one of the most beautiful flowering trees on the Historic Complex. The Society is fortunate to have a rare, pink/white, blooming tree. 7. Cypress, Taxodium distichum No longer abundant in Delaware, the Great Cypress Swamp in the southern part of Sussex County is the northern-most stand of cypress in the United States. The wood is hard and was used anywhere a durable wood was required, e.g., shipbuilding, shingling, railroad ties, etc. 8. Fig, Ficus carica The fig is believed to be indigenous to western Asia and to have been distributed by man throughout the Mediterranean area. Remnants of figs have been found in excavations of sites traced to at least 5,000 B.C. A ripe fruit will be slightly soft and starting to bend at the neck. Dried figs can be stored for six to eight months.* * (From http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/fig.html) 9. Kousa Dogwood, Cornus kousa A beautiful dogwood originating from Korea, this dogwood’s elegant white blossoms make wonderful ornamentation for any landscape. 10. Large-Leaved Linden, Tilia platyphyllos With its dense foliage, the Linden is an excellent shade tree as well as an excellent ornamental tree. Favored by beekeepers in creating a “pasture” for their swarms for the choicest honey, the Lindens have no other agricultural value. 11. Lilac, Syringa villosa Lilacs came to North America with the pioneers of the early 1600's. Lilac plants could withstand a long sea voyage and grew well here. Many foundations of old farmsteads in Sussex County can be found today by searching around lilacs growing in the countryside. 12. Magnolia, Magnolia virginiana Commonly associated with Holiday decorating in the First State, magnolias have come to symbolize the elegance of the south. Planted for their decorative value, the wood has little value other than cheap lumber and is occasionally pulped for paper. 13. Mulberry, Morus rubra Usually 40 to 50 feet in height, the mulberry’s wood is generally used in shipbuilding, tight cooperage and furniture production. 14. Paper Mulberry, Broussonetia papyrifera At best, a large shrub or small tree, paper mulberries often have short life-spans and were often used as wind-breaks during the “Dust Bowl.” 15. Pomegranate, Punica granatum The pomegranate is native from Iran to the Himalayas in northern India and was cultivated and naturalized over the whole Mediterranean region since ancient times. The tree was introduced into California by Spanish settlers in 1769. Its juice can be used in a variety of ways: as a fresh juice, to make jellies, sorbets or cold or hot sauces as well as to flavor cakes, baked apples, etc. Pomegranate syrup is sold commercially as grenadine. The juice can also be made into a wine.* * (From http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/pomegranate.html) 16. Silver Maple, Acer saccharinum Earning its name from its silver-colored underside, the Silver Maple is best known for its used for furniture, flooring and veneers. 17. Spruce Hemlock, Tsuga canadensis An excellent ornamental tree, its wood is highly prized for paper pulp due to the absence of resin and naturally long fiber. In the past, its bark was often used as the major tannin of leather. 18. Sugar Maple, Acer saccharum Also known as “Hard” or “Rock” Maple, the Sugar Maple is commonly used for furniture and fuel. It is also commonly used as an ornamental tree. 19. Tulip (or Yellow) Poplar, Liriodendron tulipfera With numerous uses, the stately poplar is without peer in its use as an ornamental tree, as the Society’s beautiful specimen displays. 20. White Dogwood, Cornus florida The dogwood’s uses as an ornamental tree are quite well known, but it is perhaps not as well known that its wood is highly prized for tool handles, wheel bearings, hubs or any other place where a tough, close-grained wood is needed. 21. White Oak, Quercus alba One of Delaware’s most important commercial trees, the White Oak is particularly useful in flooring, shipbuilding, construction, basket-making and as a fuel source. 22. Willow Oak, Quercus phellos Occasionally referred to as a “bending oak,” this tree derives its name from its willow-like leaves and branchlets. Its wood is primarily used in construction as piling. 23. Apple Trees The Society is unsure of what species of apple trees are represented here but it is certain that there are three varieties on the grounds. Any insights that can be provided are most welcome! 24. Wild Cherry, Prunus serotina Variously known as “rum cherry” or “cabinet cherry”, the wild cherry has an unfortunate reputation as a weed tree. Its wood, however, is very valuable. Several secretaries in the Society’s collections are made of cherry. The Lewes Historical Society 110 Shipcarpenter Street Lewes, Delaware 19958 Tel: 302-645-7670 Fax: 302-645-2375 E-Mail: info@historiclewes.org ©2002-2005 The Lewes Historical Society |
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