Trees are
very important to our environment. They are an essential source of food,
oxygen, and medicine. Some trees may be more useful than others in terms of its
use for medicine, food, and decoration. During our environment biology lab, we
learned about some of the most amazing trees in the US. Of the many trees we saw
that day, these are my favorites:
Platanus occidentalis (Sycamore)
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| Figure 1: Platanus occidentalis |
Sycamore is
a huge tree native to eastern North America. It typically grows between 75 -100
feet in height. It grows better in lowland areas, and usually reaches its
largest size along streams and rivers. Sycamore is commonly found throughout
the State of Missouri. It has a brown bark which shed in irregular pieces to
reveal creamy white inner bark. It has yellowish Male flowers and reddish
female flowers. The wood of this tree has been used for making furniture,
cabinets, barrels and crates; the tree itself is usually used as a shade tree.
Gingko biloba (Gingko or Maidenhair Tree)
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| Figure 2: Gingko biloba |
Ginkgo, the maidenhair tree, is known to be one of the ancient plants that inhabited the earth about 150 million years ago. It typically grows between 40 to 50 feet tall. Ginkgoes can be either male or female and they are native to China. This tree can be used for medicinal purposes or as a source of food. A female Gingko tree is undesirable because it produces seeds which can be messy, and can produce an unpleasant odor. Male Gingko trees are more popular today because they are fruitless. The leaves of Gingko biloba turn golden yellow in autumn, and form a golden carpet around the tree when they fall. Though it can tolerant a wide range of soil conditions, Gingko grows better in moist, sandy, well-drained soils.
Prunus yedoensis (Yoshino Cherry)
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| Prunus yedoensis |
Yoshino
cherry is a flowering cherry tree that typically grows 30 to 40 feet tall. This
tree can tolerate heat and humidity, and it is adaptable to a wide range of
soil, but it does not do well in drought. Yoshino cherry is a hybrid cherry of
unknown origin. Its flowers has small black cherries which are unpleasant to
humans. This hybrid cherry is one of the most popular flowering cherry trees
planted in Washington D.C. It is typically used as a shade or street tree.
