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Arboretum
Stoevers Dam Park Trees
Birch:
Leaves simple, alternate, about 3'/2" in length. The
leafs edges have many fine teeth with 10-13 paired veins. The
leaf is hairy on the underside.
Fruit is a small, winged nutlet. Flowers, called catkins,
are conspicuous as they're attached at the tips of twigs.
There are two varieties of birches located in the arboretum,
European White Birch (distinguishing white bark) and
Sweet Birch (also known as Black Birch). The Sweet Birch is
known for its strong wintergreen flavor and smell in the twigs.
Sweet Birch wood is heavy, hard, and strong and is used for
furniture, boxes, and firewood. Distillation of the bark and twigs
produces an oil sold as a substitute for wintergreen. The
fermented sap can be used to make birch beer. A Black Birch is
planted at the steps (side entrance) of the Nature Barn.
Dogwood:
Leaves simple, opposite, and are oval in shape. The dark green leaves and distinct vein pattern, as well .as its beautiful flower in early spring help one identify dogwood. Other distinguishing characteristics for identification include the bark and red fruit. The bark is broken into small squarish blocks, reminiscent of an alligator's back. Fruit is a red, oblong berry appearing in September.
Flowering Dogwood is a native tree of Pennsylvania and is a plant with four-season character (excellent flower in spring, summer and fall color of dark red/burgundy leaves with bright red berries, and unique growth habit for winter silhouette). Some consider the Flowering Dogwood the best ornamental of all the native species in the northern U.S.
Crabapples & Cherries:
There are a variety of flowering crabapple and cherry trees throughout the arboretum. These trees are most recognized for their showy, sometimes fragrant flowers. The leaves of both species are quite similar; 2-3 times long as wide and many teeth along the edges. Crabapples are easily recognized in late summer by their small, apple-like fruit. Cherry varieties include Mazzard, Black, Kwanzan, and Weeping.
Hemlock:
Leaves are short needles, 1/4 to 2/3" in length, with 2 white
stripes on the underside.
Fruit is a small cone no larger than I".
The Canadian Hemlock, also called Eastern
Hemlock, is Pennsylvania's State Tree. This long-lived,
graceful tree played an important role to early settlers as
they used the tannic acid in the bark to tan leather. Hemlocks
are common throughout our area and may often be
found along streambanks. In yards, they are often
pruned as hedges for screens. The small, fine needles
and its graceful branch habit allow sunlight to filter through,
making the hemlock one of the prettiest evergreens in the northeast.
Keep an eye out for the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, a white insect on
the underside of branches that can kill the tree.
Hemlocks are planted in the beds surrounding the barn
(front and east side of barn) as well as throughout the arboretum.