OAK
There are many different species of oak trees growing in Minnesota, including Black Oak, Burr Oak, Chinkapin Oak, Red Oak and White Oak. Oaks are characterized by their lobed leaves, in variations of the one shown in this logo, as well as by their seeds, or acorns. Acorns are edible, but only after soaked, and have historically been a large part of many First Nation peoples diets in the states. |
BLACK WALNUT, Juglans nigra
The walnut tree native to Minnesota is called the Black Walnut. It has edible nuts, black in color, encased by a solid green husk. Black walnuts can also be soaked and used as a black dye. The tree usually grows up to 50 or 60 feet but can reach 100 feet, with a diameter up to 36 feet. The leaves alternate on the stem, which is 12 to 24 inches long, with 14 to 22 yellow-green, pointed leaflets, tapered at the ends and toothed along the margins. |
MAPLE
The sap from maple trees can be harvested and reduced to make maple syrup. Their leaves are characterized by three- to five-pointed saw toothed lobes separated by sharp angular openings, and their seeds are helicopter like - they spin when they fall to the ground. There are many species of maple native to Minnesota, including Red Maple (their leaves turn very red in the fall), Sugar Maple, and Silver Maple. |
HONEY LOCUST, Gleditsia triacanthos
Honey Locusts have leaflets that alternate on the stem, which is 6" to 8" long. Each stem has 18-28 small egg-shaped leaflets that have finely toothed margins. Leaves turn yellow in the fall. The bark of a Honey Locust has thin, tight scales. Sharp thorns will appear on one-year old wood. The tree produces pods of 10" to 18". The pods are flat, dark brown when ripe, and contain seeds and a white pulp. In spring, the tree will have small, clustered, cream-colored flowers. |
AMERICAN BASSWOOD, Tilia americana
American Basswood is the basswood species native to Minnesota. It can grow up to 80' with a trunk diameter of 12" to 36". The bark of the tree is light gray and smooth, and it's leaves are simple with a length of 3" to 6". The leaves are heart shaped, slightly asymmetrical, nearly as wide as they are long, saw toothed, and sharply pointed. The fruit of the Basswood is round and nutlike and attached in clusters to a leaf-like bract that can help carry the seeds in the wind. Flowers are fragrant and yellowish-white. |
RIVER BIRCH, Betula Nigra
River Birch are characterized by their bark, which peels and has loose layers of curling and paper-like scales. As the bark matures, it becomes darker brown and deeply furrowed. The tree can grow up to 60', often having several large ascending limbs that grow separate from each other near the base of the tree. The leaf is 1-1/2" to 3", triangular, and with double-toothed edges. |
AMERICAN ELM, Ulmus americana
The American Elm has simple leaves that alternate on the stem. They are 4" - 6 ", thick and dark green. They leaves have double toothed margins, pronounced veins, and are asymmetrical. They turn yellow in the fall. The seeds of the elm are light green or brown, oval, and thin. The seed is in the center, surrounded by the paper-like wing. The seeds hang in clusters. The Dutch Elm Disease has largely affected the health and population of Elms in the United States. |