Trees seem to fill a space in the landscape just as well as any great painting would justify a wall. Trees come in all sizes, shapes, colors, and they add year-round interest to our properties—no matter the season. From a tree full of leaves throughout the growing season, to the notable structure and textures they bring into our landscapes during the winter, trees are multifunctional and generate great interest through their basic parts:
• Tree Structure, a dynamic system of growth—always changing. Tree structure is a function of site location and sunlight availability. As a result, we see vast differences in field-grown trees versus forest-grown trees. In field-grown trees, open canopies may extend as wide as they are tall, while forest-grown trees act more as towering rockets, always chasing for the sun!
• Tree Bark, a protective layer that adds texture to any landscape. From the smooth, exfoliating bark of American Sycamore to the deep fissured bark of Oaks, Elms, and Hickories, tree bark can be a useful tool for identification purposes.
• Tree Leaves, like snowflakes, vary greatly not only from species-to-species, but even on the same tree, no two leaves are identical. The variety of sizes, shapes, and colors adds a splendor that most anyone can appreciate.
• Tree Flowers, while often showy (such as with Magnolia, Redbud, and Dogwood), may not be the main attraction of the tree. Some flowers (such as those of Oaks and Hickories) are much more discreet and less often seen, yet they serve the same function.
• Tree Fruits, a dispersal method for the progeny of the tree. Tree fruits may be winged (e.g., Maples and Tulip Poplar), cone-like (e.g., Eastern Hemlock and Spruce), globe-shape (e.g., Sweet Gum and Sycamore), aggregates (e.g., Magnolia), or acorns (e.g., Oaks) just to name a few. While each fruit may appear different in shape and form, the function remains the same.
While we know many of the benefits of trees, from social, communal, and environmental, appropriately selected and sited trees also generate significant economic and aesthetic benefits as well. Still, it is also important to realize that trees do require an investment. These costs include establishment and maintenance for the life of the tree. That said, a good management program will greatly extend the functional lifespan of our trees where we live, work and play. The next time you see a tree, take the time to stop and enjoy the tree and all its wonderful parts.
