Tree Identification in Maine….. Trees in the Ecosystem….
Maine holds the distinction of being the most forested state in America. In fact, according to the Maine Forest Service, 65 different species of trees grow on 17.8 million acres. That equals 90% of the land within the State of Maine. Trees can be found growing at sea-level along the very edges of coastal bays to the upper elevations of Mount Katahdin, almost a mile into the sky. Trees or lack of them, define the type of ecosystem or habitat where they are found growing. Certain species of trees typically grow together depending on the climate and soil of the area. Hardwood or broadleaf trees are more typical in the southern part of the state while softwood or needle-bearing trees are more common in the northern part of the state; however there are many exceptions, especially with the white pine, maples, poplars and birches that are found everywhere.
Trees are classified as part of the Plant Kingdom. Trees obtain nutrients through the process of Photosynthesis and make seeds. Trees are divided into Gymnosperms, plants with naked seeds that grow cones, and Angiosperms, plants with hidden seeds that grow inside of fruit after the plant has flowered.
Typically in Maine we can think of the Gymnosperms as Conifers and Angiosperms as the Broadleaf trees. For example, the Tamarack is a deciduous Conifer so it is a Gymnosperm, meaning it bears cones along with the Pine, Spruce and Fir family of trees. Conifers are specially adapted to colder climates which are why they are the more dominant tree found in Northern Maine.
Maine is the northern most area where some Broadleaf trees are able to grow such as the Oak and Hickory Families. However the Maples are specially adapted to the cooler temperatures of the north and western part of the state and are famous for Maple Syrup and Fall Foliage. Some of the Broadleaf Angiosperms produce obvious fruit such as Acorns, Beechnuts, Cherries, Hazelnuts and Rose Hips while many others are less obvious. Examples of Trees with very different types of seed enclosures would be the Maples, Birches and Poplars.
Here is the Taxonomic list Trees found in Maine.
Doman: Eukarya – multi-celled organisms
Kingdom: Plants – photosynthesis
SubKingdom: Vascular Plants – has xylem and phloem
Division: Conifers or Gymnosperms
Class: Pinopsida -Simple leaves with male & female cones on the same tree
Order: Pinales -Trees with Needle-like leaves
Family: Pine -Pine, Spruce, Fir and Tamarack Trees in Maine
Family: Cypress –Cedar and Juniper Trees in Maine
Division: Angiosperms – Flowering Trees
Class: Dicots – 2 seed leaves, multi-branched leaf veins, vascular bundle arranged in a ring, flowering parts usually 4 or 5, taproot with rootlets
Families:
Salicaceae: Willow, Poplar
Juglandaceae: Shagbark Hickory, Butternut
Betulaceae: Birch, Alder, Hornbeam, Hophornbeam
Gagaceae: American Chestnut, Beech, Oak
Ulmaceae: Elm
Lauraceae: Sassafras
Hamamelidaceae: Witchhazel
Rosaceae: Serviceberry, Hawthorn, Cherry, Plum, Apples, Mountain Ash
Anacardiaceae: (Cashew Family) Sumac
Aceraceae: Maple
Hippocastanaceae: Horsechestnut or Buckeye Family
Tiliaceae: Basswood or Linden Family
Cornaceae: Dogwood
Ericaceae: Heath & Laurals (some are Evergreen)
Oleaceae: (Olive Family) Ash
Rubiaceae: (Madder Family) Buttonbush
Caprifoliaceae: Honeysuckle Family Elderberry, Arrowwood, Nannyberry & Viburnum
Families of Maple, Sumac (Cashew) & Horsechestnut Families of Trees
