We returned to our field site on Wednesday (3/26/14), and checked up on our four trees we decided to track the phenology of this semester. Quercus lyrata (Overcup Oak), Quercus alba (White Oak), and Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood) all had made no apparent change.  Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Poplar) had less than 50% buds bursting so we estimate it began very recently, sometime this week. Asimina triloba (Pawpaw) have buds bursting also, closer to 50% or above. There were many Pawpaw trees right around another varying in percentage of buds bursting.

We identified a couple of additional plants on this visit. Firstly, Juniperus Virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar) at the begining of the trail. The individual we identified was small, about 7 feet, but on average the Eastern Red Cedar is 40-60 feet and 1-2 feet in diameter. Leaves are compact and scalelike and the bark is reddish brown, thin, and fibrous. This tree is found in most U.S. states in dry, rocky soils.

Juniperus virginiana twig

Photo by Hannah Spivey

Next we identified Polystichum acratichoides (Christmas Fern). Also near the beginning of the trail the Christmas tree fern can be easily identified by the shape of the leaves, they resemble little santa sleighs. Also they are evergreen and last through the holiday season. The individual we identified had fronds less than a foot long but they can be around 1-2 feet in length. Christmas ferns are most often found in open woods in a moist shady environment, so you can find them along the sides of the trail. 

Polystichum acratichiodes frond

Photo by Hannah Spivey

There was another tree very prevalent along our trail that we have yet to identify. Average height is about 20 feet and most of the branching is at the tops of the trees. This species is completely in flower with very noticeable purple flowers.  

Unknown species

Photo by Hannah Spivey

We plan to return to our site Sunday and really start collecting a variety of plants. Our site looks very different now than it did before spring break and we are excited to be able to identify more species. 

Phenology Post #2 and Project Update #1

We returned to our field site on Sunday, and after a few hours were able to identify four additional trees to track the phenology of this semester.  The four plants we will track the phenology of are Quercus lyrate, Asimina triloba, Liriodendron tulipifera, and Quercus alba.



Quercus lyrata
Photo by Hannah Spivey



 

 

 

Quercus lyrata, or Overcup Oak, shown below is found in areas with poor drained soils. The Overcup Oak is most prominent in the Coastal Plain; however, it is also found in the Valley and Ridge province, where Ruffner is located. Thist tree was distinguishable by it's scaly, thin bark which you can see in the picture below.  We saw a couple of these Overcup Oaks along the Marian Harnach Nature Trail.









 

 

Twig of Asimina triloba
Photo by Hannah Spivey

Asimina triloba
Photo by Hannah Spivey

Another plant we will track the phenology of is Asimina triloba, or Pawpaw.  We had trouble identifying this tree from both its twigs and bark.  We were actually trying to identify a different tree and were led to this tree, which we recognized as something we had already tried to identify.  The Pawpaw tree has smooth gray bark.  The buds are distinctly hairy and red shown in the picture below.  This tree normally grows in moist habitats much like that of Ruffner.

 





Twig of Liriodendron tulipifera
Photo by Hannah Spivey

Liriodendron tulipifera
Photo by Hannah Spivey

 

Liriodendron tulipifera, or Tulip Poplar, was easily recognized as being in the Magnoliaceae family because of the stipule scar surrounding the twig.  The distinct bluish/green terminal bud on L. tulipifera was easily seen on the twigs of the tree pictured below.  This plant, like the Pawpaw, is common in moist environments.  According to our field guide, L. tulipifera requires direct light to grow its best.

 

 



Quercus alba
Photo by Hannah Spivey



 

 

 

The last tree we will follow is Quercus alba, or White Oak.  This tree has distinct bark that is very scaly and a light grey.  In addition, there are three terminal bud on a White Oak twig.  You can see the twig and bark pictured below.  Q. alba does not really have a specific environment that it grows well in.  White Oaks are found everywhere often in addition to other oaks.



 

 

 

We have not really started collecting plants yet because there are many things blooming at our site yet.  We have been able to identify probably around 10-20 trees, which we will collect samples from once they bloom.  Now that we've started to see some herbaceous things coming blooming, we will be able to collect and identify these as well.  We are excited about the trees we have found to track the phenology of.  There is a variety of plants from different families and genuses, which will make our project all the more interesting.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Phenology Post 1

Today we returned to Marian Harnach Nature Trail at Ruffner Mountain to try and identify species we could possibly track the phonology of this semester. We easily identified the Flowering Dogwood, Cornus florida from the Cornacaea family. It had no leaves or flowers but we were able to identify it as a dogwood by its signature checkered bark.The tree is usually found in dry to moist forests in the eastern United States. The Flowering Dogwood is usually small and low branched which is convenient for collecting samples.

One tree we saw frequently was the American Beech, Fagus grandifolia of the Fagacaea family. We were not able to identify it until returning to campus and looking up a clearer reference picture online. It is a larger deciduous tree with smooth light and dark grey bark. It is common in a variety of forests and is widespread in eastern North America. We ran into more trouble than expected when trying to identify some trees. We saw several trees we thought may be Black Cherry, Prunus serotina, but the limbs were too high above the ground and we couldn't seem to find any young trees near the base. We also brought back a few twigs in hopes that Dr. Van Zandt could shed some light on some the trees that seemed to stump us. Hopefully we will have more success at our next visit.