Unit IV Kansas Plants: Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines Information.

Unit IV Kansas Plants:Unit IV Kansas Plants:Trees, Shrubs and Woody Trees, Shrubs and Woody

Vines InformationVines Information

Trees, Shrubs and VinesTrees, Shrubs and Vines

Eastern Kansas is the boundary between eastern deciduous Eastern Kansas is the boundary between eastern deciduous forest and the tallgrass prairie.forest and the tallgrass prairie.

There are many different types of forest ecosystems, just There are many different types of forest ecosystems, just as there are many different types of prairie ecosystems. as there are many different types of prairie ecosystems.

The main forest community in eastern Kansas is the oak-The main forest community in eastern Kansas is the oak-hickory forest. These are the largest and most hickory forest. These are the largest and most predominant trees here.predominant trees here.

We will focus here on trees that are very common in We will focus here on trees that are very common in eastern Kansas, and that can also be found in riparian areas eastern Kansas, and that can also be found in riparian areas of western Kansas.of western Kansas.

Riparian is the forested area along streams and rivers.Riparian is the forested area along streams and rivers. Western Kansas does not have many trees, but there is Western Kansas does not have many trees, but there is

good riparian habitat along the waterways, and many of good riparian habitat along the waterways, and many of these trees can be found along the streams and rivers as these trees can be found along the streams and rivers as you move west.you move west.

Trees, cont.Trees, cont.

Tree identification: the easiest way is to look at Tree identification: the easiest way is to look at the leaf. (the bark and overall height and shape the leaf. (the bark and overall height and shape are also valuable for identification)are also valuable for identification) Leaf shapeLeaf shape

Oval, heart-shaped, oblong, lance-shaped, etc.Oval, heart-shaped, oblong, lance-shaped, etc. Leaf margin (edge)Leaf margin (edge)

Smooth, serrated (toothed), lobed, etc.Smooth, serrated (toothed), lobed, etc. Whether it is simple or compoundWhether it is simple or compound

Simple, pinnately compound or palmately compound.Simple, pinnately compound or palmately compound. Where the leaf attaches to the branch you will find a fatter

part of the leaf stem called the “petiole”. Look for this petiole, and you will be able to tell where the actual leaf begins. On compound leaves, the entire structure from the petiole to the tip is one leaf, and each blade is called a “leaflet”. Leaflets do not have a petiole.

Trees with simple leavesTrees with simple leaves

Simple leaf with smooth margin (edge)

Simple leaf with serrated margin

Simple leaf with lobes

Trees with compound leavesTrees with compound leaves

Palmately compound leaf—all leaflets are joined in center.

Pinnately compound leaf—all leaflets are attached to a central shaft. (The leaf begins where my index finger is. This is the petiole attached to the branch).

Bi-pinnately (or double-pinnately) compound leaf—leaflets are pinnately compound and attached to a central shaft.

Trees with Simple LeavesTrees with Simple Leaves

Black WillowBlack Willow

Black WillowBlack Willow

Long narrow serrated leavesLong narrow serrated leaves Trunk usually leans instead of growing erect.Trunk usually leans instead of growing erect. Lives at edges of ponds and streams in KansasLives at edges of ponds and streams in Kansas Inner bark layer of willow trees contains Inner bark layer of willow trees contains

salicylic acid, the original active ingredient in salicylic acid, the original active ingredient in aspirin and where aspirin as a medication was aspirin and where aspirin as a medication was derived from.derived from.

Native Americans used to make a tea out of Native Americans used to make a tea out of willow bark which they used for the same willow bark which they used for the same purposes that we use aspirin.purposes that we use aspirin.

Osage Orange (Hedge Osage Orange (Hedge Apple)Apple)

Osage OrangeOsage Orange

Locally called the hedge-apple treeLocally called the hedge-apple tree Produces the large, green hedge applesProduces the large, green hedge apples Has small thorns all over the branchesHas small thorns all over the branches Planted by people and bird/animal Planted by people and bird/animal

droppings along fences as a windbreak. droppings along fences as a windbreak. People have planted this tree as a People have planted this tree as a windbreak (hence the term hedge row) windbreak (hence the term hedge row) since the Dust Bowl era in order to help since the Dust Bowl era in order to help prevent wind erosion.prevent wind erosion.

MulberryMulberry

MulberryMulberry

Note the variation in leaf shape—some Note the variation in leaf shape—some leaves are heart-shaped with serrated leaves are heart-shaped with serrated edges, and many leaves have one to edges, and many leaves have one to several deep lobes. All leaves have a several deep lobes. All leaves have a serrated edge.serrated edge.

Flowers in May when the leaves emerge.Flowers in May when the leaves emerge. Fruits in May and June, with a blackberry-Fruits in May and June, with a blackberry-

type fruit that is red when immature and type fruit that is red when immature and blackish purple when mature. They are blackish purple when mature. They are very good to eat!very good to eat!

Many animals eat the fruits of Mulberries.Many animals eat the fruits of Mulberries.

Elm sp.Elm sp.

Elm sp.Elm sp.

Several species of Elm trees occur in Kansas, and Several species of Elm trees occur in Kansas, and the American elm used to be the most common.the American elm used to be the most common.

Many American Elm trees died in this country in Many American Elm trees died in this country in the last 50 years due to Dutch Elm disease, a the last 50 years due to Dutch Elm disease, a fungal disease which was spread by elm bark fungal disease which was spread by elm bark beetles. American Elm trees are still getting sick beetles. American Elm trees are still getting sick and dying from this disease, and resistant hybrids and dying from this disease, and resistant hybrids are trying to be cultivated.are trying to be cultivated.

Various species of Elm trees, along with Various species of Elm trees, along with remaining American Elms, can still be found remaining American Elms, can still be found throughout Kansas.throughout Kansas.

DogwoodDogwood

DogwoodDogwood

Smaller, under-story treeSmaller, under-story tree Grows in dense thickets along roadsides, streams, Grows in dense thickets along roadsides, streams,

fences, woodland edgefences, woodland edge Excellent for controlling erosionExcellent for controlling erosion Slowly and carefully, split a leaf horizontally and Slowly and carefully, split a leaf horizontally and

you can slowly pull the two halves apart and you you can slowly pull the two halves apart and you will see cottony fibers where the veins are. Only will see cottony fibers where the veins are. Only dogwoods do this.dogwoods do this.

There are ornamental varieties of dogwoods There are ornamental varieties of dogwoods because they have very pretty flowers and leaves because they have very pretty flowers and leaves turn nice colors in fall. Very hardy.turn nice colors in fall. Very hardy.

CottonwoodCottonwood

CottonwoodCottonwood

Kansas State TreeKansas State Tree Fast-growing tree and becomes massiveFast-growing tree and becomes massive Leaf is triangle-shaped and has a flat stem, and Leaf is triangle-shaped and has a flat stem, and

makes a lot of noise in the wind—sounds like rain.makes a lot of noise in the wind—sounds like rain. In June, the females of this tree produce the huge In June, the females of this tree produce the huge

clouds of cotton fluff that you can see floating clouds of cotton fluff that you can see floating around in the wind. There are very small seeds around in the wind. There are very small seeds attached to the fluff and this is how cottonwoods attached to the fluff and this is how cottonwoods are dispersed.are dispersed.

Turns a beautiful golden yellow in fall.Turns a beautiful golden yellow in fall.

Sycamore

SycamoreSycamore

The sycamore has large, broad leaves with The sycamore has large, broad leaves with pointed lobes. pointed lobes.

Bark peels away to reveal the white trunk Bark peels away to reveal the white trunk and branches.and branches.

Has pendant fruit balls hanging off by Has pendant fruit balls hanging off by October.October.

One of the largest trees in Kansas, and it One of the largest trees in Kansas, and it grows usually along streams and rivers in grows usually along streams and rivers in the eastern half of the state.the eastern half of the state.

Red OakRed Oak

Red OakRed Oak

Tapered lobes ending in a point on the Tapered lobes ending in a point on the leavesleaves

Acorns about size of pennyAcorns about size of penny Wood is good quality and often used Wood is good quality and often used

in woodworking furniture or finish in woodworking furniture or finish work in homes.work in homes.

This is also a popular landscaping tree This is also a popular landscaping tree and is found in many suburban yards.and is found in many suburban yards.

HackberryHackberry

Leaf—notice the base of the leaf is uneven. This makes ID easy.

HackberryHackberry

Bark—notice how deep the bark appears.

HackberryHackberry

Narrow leaves with long, tapered tips Narrow leaves with long, tapered tips and teeth all around; dark purple and teeth all around; dark purple berries and warty bark.berries and warty bark.

Very common tree in Kansas, often Very common tree in Kansas, often near water but can be found near water but can be found anywhere.anywhere.

Maple sp.Maple sp.

Maple sp.Maple sp.

Acer Acer is the genus, and there are several Maple is the genus, and there are several Maple species found in Kansas such as silver maple and species found in Kansas such as silver maple and sugar maple (eastern border).sugar maple (eastern border).

All species have a simple leaf with deep lobes, All species have a simple leaf with deep lobes, usually with five points.usually with five points.

Popular landscaping tree genus because the Popular landscaping tree genus because the leaves turn such beautiful colors in the fall, leaves turn such beautiful colors in the fall, ranging from bright reds to oranges and yellows.ranging from bright reds to oranges and yellows.

Economically important because maple is a wood Economically important because maple is a wood used for furniture and cabinetry. Sugar maples used for furniture and cabinetry. Sugar maples are the trees that provide the sap for maple are the trees that provide the sap for maple syrup.syrup.

Eastern Red CedarEastern Red Cedar


With berries


The only native evergreen in KansasThe only native evergreen in Kansas Planted as a wind barrier and is very effectivePlanted as a wind barrier and is very effective Spreads rapidly on prairie and is difficult to Spreads rapidly on prairie and is difficult to

control.control. Highly flammable. NOT for use as a Christmas Highly flammable. NOT for use as a Christmas

tree—has volatile oils that ignite and burn hot tree—has volatile oils that ignite and burn hot and fast.and fast.

Wood used for fence posts, chests, closet Wood used for fence posts, chests, closet linings, and pencils. The oil from the tree is linings, and pencils. The oil from the tree is distilled for use in soaps, perfumes and distilled for use in soaps, perfumes and cleaners.cleaners.

RedbudRedbud

RedbudRedbud

Unmistakable in spring, with bright purple Unmistakable in spring, with bright purple flowers like a pea flower, heart-shaped flowers like a pea flower, heart-shaped leaves.leaves.

Common in eastern KansasCommon in eastern Kansas Ornamental tree for landscaping because Ornamental tree for landscaping because

if its smaller size and very pretty pink if its smaller size and very pretty pink flowers that cover the branches in spring.flowers that cover the branches in spring.

Beautiful, but somewhat delicate. Breaks Beautiful, but somewhat delicate. Breaks easily if people climb or swing on it.easily if people climb or swing on it.

Trees with Compound Trees with Compound LeavesLeaves

Black WalnutBlack Walnut

Black WalnutBlack Walnut

Long, pinnately-compound leavesLong, pinnately-compound leaves Fruit is about the size of a golf ball, green Fruit is about the size of a golf ball, green

then turns black, with a thick husk. The then turns black, with a thick husk. The nuts inside are edible. Drop from trees in nuts inside are edible. Drop from trees in October.October.

Common in eastern Kansas. Most large Common in eastern Kansas. Most large trees have been harvested for lumber.trees have been harvested for lumber.

Wood is dark brown, used for furniture and Wood is dark brown, used for furniture and musical instruments, and is very beautiful.musical instruments, and is very beautiful.

Smooth Smooth SumacSumac

Smooth SumacSmooth Sumac

Smooth SumacSmooth Sumac

Small tree, generally found about 6 feet tall, in large Small tree, generally found about 6 feet tall, in large clumps of sumac trees. clumps of sumac trees.

The large clumps of sumac trees are actually all the The large clumps of sumac trees are actually all the same individual that has put up many little trees.same individual that has put up many little trees.

Leaves have a local anesthetic in them. You can Leaves have a local anesthetic in them. You can chew them up and spit them out (they taste terriblechew them up and spit them out (they taste terrible—don’t eat!) and your mouth will be numb for awhile.—don’t eat!) and your mouth will be numb for awhile.

Berries in the fall, when red, are very tasty to suck Berries in the fall, when red, are very tasty to suck on and then spit out (bitter if chewed up). You can on and then spit out (bitter if chewed up). You can also steep the berries in hot water and make a tea also steep the berries in hot water and make a tea that tastes like the fruit. Can add sugar.that tastes like the fruit. Can add sugar.

Honey LocustHoney Locust

Notice the extremely long thorns that cover the branches and trunk. Most of these in the picture are about 4” long.


Large pinnately compound leavesLarge pinnately compound leaves Long twisted brown bean pods, flat, about 1 inch Long twisted brown bean pods, flat, about 1 inch

wide and 10 inches long. Can vary in lengths.wide and 10 inches long. Can vary in lengths. VERY thorny bark—cannot miss the thorns that can VERY thorny bark—cannot miss the thorns that can

exceed 6 inches in length! Thorns are found in exceed 6 inches in length! Thorns are found in clumps all over the tree.clumps all over the tree.

First tree to grow on prairie near forest—initiates First tree to grow on prairie near forest—initiates the invasion of prairie by forest.the invasion of prairie by forest.

Some birds, like the Loggerhead Shrike, will use Some birds, like the Loggerhead Shrike, will use the thorns to “save” prey items. Once in a while the thorns to “save” prey items. Once in a while you can find small lizards, mice, birds or frogs you can find small lizards, mice, birds or frogs impaled on thorns.impaled on thorns.

Shrubs with Simple LeavesShrubs with Simple Leaves

YuccaYucca

Yucca (a.k.a. Soapweed)Yucca (a.k.a. Soapweed)

Liliaceae, the Lily family.Liliaceae, the Lily family. 2-10’ tall.2-10’ tall. Stout stem rises from rigid, sword-like Stout stem rises from rigid, sword-like

leaves.leaves. Flowers are 1.5” across, white.Flowers are 1.5” across, white. Typical of southwestern deserts, but they Typical of southwestern deserts, but they

are also found across Kansas.are also found across Kansas. Large petals are edible and are sometimes Large petals are edible and are sometimes

added to salads.added to salads.

Buckbrush (Coralberry)Buckbrush (Coralberry)

Buckbrush (Coralberry)Buckbrush (Coralberry)

Also called CoralberryAlso called Coralberry Grows in low (3 feet high) patches in Grows in low (3 feet high) patches in

open pastures or open woods.open pastures or open woods. Has clusters of purple-red fruits that Has clusters of purple-red fruits that

remain on plant all winter (too waxy remain on plant all winter (too waxy for most birds, except Yellow-rumped for most birds, except Yellow-rumped warbler)warbler)

Very common and spreads quicklyVery common and spreads quickly

Shrubs with Compound Shrubs with Compound LeavesLeaves

Poison IvyPoison Ivy

Poison Ivy rash after two Poison Ivy rash after two daysdays

Poison IvyPoison Ivy

Can grow as a shrub (with compound leaves) or as a vine!!!Can grow as a shrub (with compound leaves) or as a vine!!! Three, mitten-shaped leaves sometimes with a red center Three, mitten-shaped leaves sometimes with a red center

where leaves all meet.where leaves all meet. Vines are “hairy” and can contain the oils even when dead. Vines are “hairy” and can contain the oils even when dead.

Don’t ever burn firewood that has the hairy vines—oils can Don’t ever burn firewood that has the hairy vines—oils can get in smoke, and then your eyes and lungs.get in smoke, and then your eyes and lungs.

Most people will react to the oils on leaves.Most people will react to the oils on leaves. Leaves have different amounts of oils at different times, so Leaves have different amounts of oils at different times, so

it is possible not to get poison ivy sometimes, and get it it is possible not to get poison ivy sometimes, and get it others.others.

Peppermint soap and oatmeal soap both help dry and Peppermint soap and oatmeal soap both help dry and soothe the itch from poison ivy.soothe the itch from poison ivy.

If you know you touch it, you have about 20 minutes to If you know you touch it, you have about 20 minutes to wash the affected area of your skin to wash off oils.wash the affected area of your skin to wash off oils.

VinesVines

Bittersweet Bittersweet

BittersweetBittersweet

Climbing vine, often along roadsides and Climbing vine, often along roadsides and near woodland edgesnear woodland edges

Simple, alternate, deciduous leavesSimple, alternate, deciduous leaves Fruits covered by an orange coat which Fruits covered by an orange coat which

splits into three sectionssplits into three sections Fruits open in late September, exposing Fruits open in late September, exposing

brilliant red seed coverbrilliant red seed cover Often taken by humans for decoration- but Often taken by humans for decoration- but

only take short side branches instead of only take short side branches instead of main stem, which will kill the plantmain stem, which will kill the plant

Bristly Greenbriar

Stem is covered with very sharp thorns.

Bristly GreenbriarBristly Greenbriar

Simple, broadly egg-shaped leaves with 5 Simple, broadly egg-shaped leaves with 5 main veins that are obvious to the observer.main veins that are obvious to the observer.

Vine that grows in the woods and along fence Vine that grows in the woods and along fence rows in the eastern part of state—very rows in the eastern part of state—very common.common.

Note the extremely thorny, black prickles Note the extremely thorny, black prickles that cover the main stem.that cover the main stem.

Doesn’t form dense masses, but grows long.Doesn’t form dense masses, but grows long.

Riverbank GrapeRiverbank Grape

Riverbank GrapeRiverbank Grape

Very common grape vine in KansasVery common grape vine in Kansas Grows as name suggests—along Grows as name suggests—along

rivers and streams.rivers and streams. Smooth vine, unlike poison ivy.Smooth vine, unlike poison ivy. Grapes are small and an important Grapes are small and an important

food source for fruit-eating birds.food source for fruit-eating birds.

Virginia CreeperVirginia Creeper

Virginia CreeperVirginia Creeper

High climbing vineHigh climbing vine 5 palmately compound leaflets5 palmately compound leaflets Bright red fall foliage—can’t miss it in the Bright red fall foliage—can’t miss it in the

fall. Often seen growing on tree trunks or fall. Often seen growing on tree trunks or utility poles, and keeps its red leaves utility poles, and keeps its red leaves longer than the trees around it, so you can longer than the trees around it, so you can see it very easily in fall when other trees see it very easily in fall when other trees are bare.are bare.

Many people think this is poison oak—we Many people think this is poison oak—we don’t have poison oak in Kansas.don’t have poison oak in Kansas.

Not poisonous at all.Not poisonous at all.

Trumpet Creeper

Trumpet CreeperTrumpet Creeper

High climbing vine.High climbing vine. Can grow to the top of a 20 meter tree, Can grow to the top of a 20 meter tree,

or sprawl over rocks and dirt banks.or sprawl over rocks and dirt banks. Excellent for erosion control.Excellent for erosion control. Provides great cover for animals and Provides great cover for animals and

hummingbirds visit it.hummingbirds visit it. Spreads aggressively and will Spreads aggressively and will

dominate an area.dominate an area.

ReferencesReferences

Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines in Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines in Kansas Kansas by H.A. Stepehns, 1969, by H.A. Stepehns, 1969, University of Kansas PressUniversity of Kansas Press

Unit IV Kansas Plants: Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines Information.

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