Utah Tree Identification Objective Identify local forestry species

Utah Tree Identification Objective: Identify local forestry species by common and scientific names. By: Jacie Pressett Credit to Utah State University Extension

Conifer ID Four Major Types in Utah • Junipers No fascicles, leaves have “scales” and may have berries Fir Spruce Single fascicles emerge from all Fir sides of branch Needles are “friendly” Needles point upward. Pine Needles are in fascicles of two or more (with rare exceptions). Needles are “prickly”.

Conifer – Cyprus Family

Rocky Mountain Juniper Crown is “scraggly” in appearance Needles are longer and thinner than Utah Juniper May have berries Considered invasive in some areas Timber Value: Used for fence posts, not commercially logged, but has been used in specialty furniture, • May be planted as an ornamental in a landscape. • Often miscalled White Cedar, or cedar • • •

Utah Juniper • Needles are short and have “scales” • May have berries • Consider invasive in some places, juniper encroachment on grasslands or sagebrush communities decreases grazing values • Timber Value: Not commercially logged, but may be used in fence posts and specialty furniture. • Miscalled cedar or red cedar

Conifer – Pine Family

Ponderosa Pine pinus ponderosa • Can be used for structural lumber • Fascicles of three, needles that are 3 -5 inches long • Climax species, erosion control • Fire and drought resistance • Timber value: high (3 rd most harvested conifer species in U. S. )

Lodge Pole pinus contorta • • Needles in fascicles of two, 1 -3 in. long Grow in higher elevations Cone may remain closed for years Timber Value: Moderate, used in railroad ties, fences, lodges.

Limber Pine pinus flexis • Needles in groups of 5, 1. 5 -3 in long • Not shade tolerant, grows in dry, harsh conditions in higher elevations. • Timber Value: No timber value

Bristlecone Pine pinus longaeva • Fascicles of 5, 1 -5 in long • Long lived, hence the scientific name (4, 000 yrs) • Slow growing • Timber Value: None

Pinyon pinus edulis • Fascicles of 2, needles are 1 -2” long • Can coexists in Juniper communities • Edible pinenuts! • Timber Value: Low, used for firewood

Douglas Fir pseudotsuga menziesii • Tree is Pyramidal in shape • Cones have 3 pointed “tails” • Not a true fir (Needles don’t follow the fir rule) • Timber Value: Widely used in veneers and structural construction.

Subalpine Fir abies lasiocarpa • Single, blue green needles, 1 -1. 5” long • High Altitudes in Utah • Shade loving • Christmas Tree • Timber Value: Moderately good

White Fir abies concolor • Grows in areas where precipitation exceed 20 in. • Single needles, 2 -3” long, silver-blue • Timber Value: Moderate

(Colorado) Blue Spruce picea pungens Single needles, 1” long 4 Angled Needles Blue Gray Tint Pyramidal “Papery” cone Formerly Utah’s State Tree • Timber Value: Low • • •

Engelmann Spruce picea engelmanni • Single needled, more bunched toward end of branch than blue spruce • High Elevation • Timber Value: Moderately Good

Deciduous – Rose Family

Mountain Mahogany cerocarpus • Mountain mahogany is found in the dry regions of the state, at elevations between 4, 000 and 8, 500 feet. • Two different varieties. Little Leaf and Curl Leaf • Soils: Most abundant on welldrained soils. Often found on rocky soils and slickrock. • Timber Value: Wood-working enthusiasts will use for specialty projects, not commercially logged.

Deciduous – Poplar Family

Fremont Cottonwood populus fremontii • Crenate leaf edges • Prefers river/creek edges • Stream edges • Male Catkin Seed • Timber Value: Low

White Poplar poplus albus • Albus = white, think Albus Dumbledore’s White Beard • Dark green, with white undersides. • Younger bark is white, older bark is gray-black • Fast growing • Commonly planted on homesteads • Sucker shoots can grow like weeds • Timber Value: Low

Quaking Aspen populus tremuloides • State Tree! • Rhizomatous, but can reproduce by seed. • Many Utah Aspen stands have been affected by Sudden Aspen Decline (SAD), the cause of which is under investigation • Wildlife Value • Timber Value: Low

Deciduous – Maple Family

Box Elder acer negundo • Leaves are oppositely arranged, three to seven leaflets • Greenish yellow, flat oval seed pods • Timber Value: Medium, wood used in cheap furniture

Conifer – Pea/Legume Family

Black Locust robina pseudoacacia • Alternate leaves, pinnately compound • Planted by pioneers, not so commonly planted now • Thorns • Timber Value: Somewhat important, railroad ties

Deciduous – Oleaster Family

Russian Olive elaeagnus angustifolia • • • Green, gray oblong leaves Young, smooth red/brown bark Spines Noxious weed Almost NO value