Looking for a National Tree

Ron Scott · January 13, 2001, 10:11:44 AM

Believe it or not, America lacks a National Tree. It even has a National flower, the rose, but no National Tree. The National Arbor Day Foundation has taken the lead in the process of selecting that tree. Cast your vote at their website http://www.arborday.org

Ron Wenrich · January 13, 2001, 02:14:06 PM

From what I heard on the radio, there are going to be big pitches for the redwoods and the American chestnut.

Ron Scott · January 13, 2001, 04:42:47 PM

I suppose. At least the American Chestnut represents the east. How about that Pennsylvania black cherry??

Gordon · January 14, 2001, 07:11:56 PM

A national tree now that is a toughie! I've been sitting here thinking about it for a good ten minutes and still can't choose just one. Each tree has it's own---well good and bad points. Do we want a tree for it's size only found on the west coast or do we want a tree that is more widespread through out the U.S.A.? Do we want a softwood or a hardwood?---I'll have to sleep on this one before I can make my mind up! What about a Holly? Na, the leaves hurt to bad when you step on them with bare feet.

Like it or not I believe that the redwood will be the winner. But I can't make up my mind as to what tree I want.
Gordon

Ron Wenrich · January 14, 2001, 07:34:51 PM

I've been trying to think of what would be a good national tree. The chestnut has the sentiment of being a stately tree that man destroyed.

From a historic aspect, white pines were used to build most of early America, except for down south. Even the English used the white pine for spar poles on their sailing ships.

How about white oak. Not only is it a good wiskey keg, but, I believe they used them on early ships. Majestic in stature. Built out of oak. Maybe a national symbol there.

Doug fir provides a lot of fiber for the more modern age. After the East was all cut over, they moved west. Besides, there are a lot of Christmas trees that are Doug fir.

Bristlecone pine is the oldest living tree on the planet. Not as big as redwood, but older.

Redwood is the not the largest tree, but the sequoia is. Redwood would be an environmental signal. Instead of saving the redwoods, they would be saving the national tree. More powerful.

A lot of early furniture was made from hard maple, cherry and walnut. The woods are beautiful, but I'm not so sure they would make it to the tree list. Although, you do get maple syrup from the maple tree.

Jeff · January 15, 2001, 01:21:35 PM

Well, I went to the arborday site an voted with a write in. Apple Tree!

You can eat the fruit, you can use the wood to smoke meat. It is beautiful in spring, you can start one growing sometimes by simply discarding an apple core, there are many varieties with different color, size and flavor. Sour and sweet. Kinda like the make up of our country. They are hardy and you find them almost anywhere.

And oh yea, we have the story of Jonnie Apple Seed.

Forester Frank · January 31, 2001, 02:12:00 PM

Apple tree was a good one that I had not thought of. I voted for the old, mighty, oak. Redwood is dead wood. Who wants a national tree that only grows in a small region of the country? Sure you can drive throught it, or live in it for a year like Luna Knucklehead, but I like something with a little more range.

I also like American Elm, but it doesn't take a genious to figure out why that one is a loser.

Let's not quibble. Jack pine is good enough for me.

Ron Scott · February 03, 2001, 05:19:19 PM

DOGWOOD, MAPLE, OAK, PINE, AND REDWOOD. These are the top five vote-getters to date in alphabetical order of the vote for America's National Tree which is hosted by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Voting continues through midnight April 26, 2001. The people's choice will be announced on National Arbor Day, April 27, 2001. School children are encouraged to participate.

marty · February 03, 2001, 06:35:10 PM

I voted for the oak. There's just something about the oak. I guess the way it stands kinda like majestic. What I really found out cool about the oak when the loggers cut my woods is how a huge oak can stand up by itself when the inside are nearly gone. Other trees would break off and fall over.
marty;D

Forester Frank · February 08, 2001, 02:25:00 PM

I voted for oak for the same reasons, plus it is such a long lived species (with exceptions of course).8)

Jeff · February 10, 2001, 06:24:09 PM

I do have a sneaking feeling it will turn out to be redwood. I even have said " I hope I get to see the redwoods before I die" I still vote for Apple tree.


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Forester Frank · February 11, 2001, 08:35:45 AM

Jeff:

You must have more time on your hands than I do!8)

Jeff · February 11, 2001, 06:17:20 PM

You must learn two important words grasshopper:

CUT AND PASTE

marty · February 12, 2001, 06:43:16 AM

I can't cut mama caught me running with the scissors and I ate all the paste. What's a fellow to do??????????? 8) marty

Gordon · March 04, 2001, 06:03:30 AM

This has turned out to be much harder than casting my vote last fall. I've narrowed it down to the oak or the maple. So in my earlier post that I would have to think about it for a few minutes was an understatement to say the least.:

Gordon

Jeff · March 04, 2001, 06:26:41 AM

Hey folks, you can go over to The Michigan Forest Resource Alliance and practice vote. Their poll will run until the National poll is over.

Gordon that way you can vote twice!

Gordon · March 04, 2001, 07:26:56 AM

I went and cast a practice vote--for the red oak. I've got alot of both red and white oak in my woods. Very beautiful trees. But the national tree is still up in the air for me. One thing to practice another to cast the real deal.

The thing is each tree has it's own strong points so it's hard to pick just one.

Gordon

Jeff · March 04, 2001, 07:36:22 AM

I still press my case for my write in candidate, the apple tree. Did you all read my post why? It's universal. I know,that you know, where there is a favorite apple tree, one with exceptional fruit, and beautiful blossoms. A tree that you seek out each, or every other year for a specific purpose.

What other tree does this? Maybe a nut tree, but it lacks the beauty of the blossom. You gain personal knowledge oof your own apple trees. With each pruining and spraying, you learn its structure, it's health, attention it got, attention it needs.

Do you know these things about any single oak tree? Maple Tree?
Apple sauce, apple butter, apple pie, apple this, apple that. Amazing.

Gordon · March 04, 2001, 08:05:40 AM

Ok here goes, I've chewed on red oak not very tasty and white oak is even worse. But it's the sheer structure of the tree that holds it's appeal. Watching the critters behind the house gathering up the acorns for winter. Walking in the woods and looking down to see an acorn taking root to a new generation of tree. The way they drop their leaves come winter. The red drops all at once and the white holds on and on and on to it's leaves.

This part may be alittle long winded about the maple but once again here goes. I had the advantage growing up to move around the U.S.. My father worked for a large construction company and when the job was done we would move to the next job often times states away. So I had the advantage of seeing alot of different forest types on the eastern half of the US.. I've lived it CT., NH., MI., IL., PA., VA., MD.,and now DE.

I was born it Conn. and my parents had a small farm in NH that we used to go to on the weekends. So in the spring time guess what we did--------tap the sugar maples------and from that we made maple syrup sure does take alot to make alittle syrup. Tap the tree hang the bucket with the metal cover. Nothing fancy like today with the suction systems running from tree to tree.

Any one from the northeast can vouch for the maple sugar candy, as I write this my mouth waters for some. Made in all different shapes, so sweet so good.

So we can't rule out maple syrup and maple sugar canday. Never had maple pie!
Gordon

swampwhiteoak · March 14, 2001, 02:10:24 PM

If redwood wins then I will renounce my citizenship. ;) How can a tree that only grows in 2 states (and not much of those two) be our national tree?

Apple tree? No way I would want some european import to be my national tree.

I voted for oak, it grows across the country. White oak happens to be my favorite.

Is redbud still listed? What a joke.

Jeff · March 14, 2001, 02:15:39 PM

Hey Swamp Welcome!

Are there no Native Apple trees? I had no idea.

Bill Johnson · March 15, 2001, 03:35:57 AM

Swamp is correct, I was curious so I checked it out in my Silvics of Forest Trees of the United States.
There are no apple trees listed...I would suggest that this makes it an import.
It's amazing the stuff I learn from this board. :D

Bill

Roy · March 15, 2001, 03:20:37 PM

The national tree has to be the maple for numerous reasons! It was a source of 3 foodstuffs for the Native Americans. The best place to get maple is the United States. America's true game - basketball - uses maple for the floors, as well as other sports. It is used for many types of cabinets, tools, furniture, flooring, staircases, toys (baseball bats), veneer etc. The variations in the wood are incredible: sapwood/white, heartwood/brown, birdseye/white & brown, curly/white & brown, etc. It is a beautiful tree year 'round. When in color, it is the prettiest tree in the world, bar none. Count the categories: food, colorful tree, wood variation, products. If you had to pick a best friend that resembled a tree, you would want one as versatile, beautiful, and friendly as maple. That is my story and I'm sticking to it. Roy

Jeff · March 15, 2001, 03:33:06 PM

Welcome Roy!

All good points.. er... except... Did you say...Gulp.. BASKETBALL?? I hope you mean NCAA.

swampwhiteoak · March 15, 2001, 04:27:30 PM

Indeed Malus sylvestris (I think that's right ;)) is a european tree. There may be some native crabapples but most of those are imports as well.

I would accept maple as my national tree but I wouldn't like it. I like sugar maple because of its multiple uses but I loathe the red maple.

Basketball is my favorite game as well (NCAA of course) but I spent most of my playing days "on the pine"

Don P · March 15, 2001, 08:09:18 PM

Testing the new upload and attach image feature.
Giving clues as to my vote. :D

Ron Wenrich · March 16, 2001, 08:56:01 AM

Don:

Are you voting for rock oak? :D

Roy:

Much of what you say about maple could also be said about black walnut or cherry, with the exception of the sports thing.

Roy · March 16, 2001, 09:25:12 AM

Thanks for the reply Don, but . . .

Maple represents middle (class) America(ns), the teeming, huddled masses yearning for syrup. The Black Walnut is too exlusive and not embraced with the same warmth and commonality. Does it give us its lifeblood, what 3 foodstuffs does it offer up? Cherry cannot be considered, although a worthy tree, simply because George could not tell a lie. So, thankfully, we are back to maple. Don't you agree, Don?

Don P · March 18, 2001, 10:43:39 AM

Maples cool...but you guys are still cold... We call the tree on the right something other than rock oak, have heard it also go by tanbark oak. My vote is on the left. Mast, feed, food, high value timber... :

Jeff · March 18, 2001, 12:21:01 PM

I know but I cheat.

Ron Wenrich · March 18, 2001, 02:23:32 PM

Tree on the right appears to be chestnut oak, which we call rock oak. Mainly call it that because it is usually the only tree growing in the rock outcrops.

Never heard it called tanbark oak.

Tree on the left is all be extinct. It used to be the primary species in my area, and there are still some whips around. They recently found 2 large ones in back yards of some older homes nearby. They will be used as breeder stock.

Gordon · March 18, 2001, 03:23:53 PM

The blight all but knocked them out. That is the American tree, on the left. A couple of large ones? Wow. You could probably fill up a chest of nuts. Do you guys and gals want me to give it's complete name. I guess what I've said so far speaks for itself.

As for the leaf on the right. I've narrowed it down to a couple of choices. Still working on that one.
Gordon

Don P · March 18, 2001, 05:50:19 PM

:D
Congratulations!
To visit these whips of trees 50 years gone, still trying, you have to admire the perseverence of nature. They usually make it to bearing age for a few years, the bark cracks, the blight moves in. I've seen 4 bearing in my lifetime...one is going to make the right nut one day. As a national tree our pride would be wrapped up in making that day sooner rather than later.
Chestnut Oak is also called Tanoak because the tannic acid content of the bark is very high,the tanneries preferred its bark. It is also the only leaky white oak...unsuitable for whiskey or wine barrels. The cells are unsealed, the wood acts like a red oak in cooperage. It also has a reputation as a durable wood and many old sills are made from it.

Ron Wenrich · March 19, 2001, 02:44:49 PM

There now is a breeding program where they are trying to get the resistance gene from the Chinese chestnut, and the characteristics of the American.

It starts with a 50% mix. After 12-14 years, these trees are nut bearing, and ready for another split. The next one is 75% American. The goal is to have 92% American characteristics. They need only one more generation to produce these nuts.

The whips in my area are much older than 50 years. The blight came through in the 1910-20 area. From my undestanding, it finished off the last chestnuts in Tennessee in the '50s, and I heard of natural stands in the IP of Michigan.

I have seen several nut bearing trees in the woods. During logging, we would always mark away from these. The biggest was 14" dbh.

I was doing power line vegetation studies in western PA about 10 years ago. The forester for the electric company showed me a power line put into a particleboard plant. They bent the line around a 20" chestnut tree, so as to save it. Too bad the logger cut it when he found it, which no one could prove. Something like shooting one of the last passenger pigeons.

Don P · March 19, 2001, 04:39:12 PM

I think one nutbearer that I saw succumbed to poaching also.
This is a link to the American Chestnut Foundation

http://chestnut.acf.org/
They do not have a resistant tree offered at this time. But do have OEM seed and seedlings for those out of the blights range.
There are several mature big boys at the arboretum at UW in Madison. Several seeds fell in my pocket as I wandered around them but no success sprouting.

I've wondered about replanting them here even when the new strain is released. The blight is so well entrenched I wonder if introducing it to the new tree strain wouldn't just result in a better blight.

Hugh Darty · March 19, 2001, 04:43:55 PM

There's no doubt what the national tree should be, but you guys probably don't know because it only grows from coastal Virginia down the coastline around the gulf to eastern Texas, mayby 150 miles inland. It was so useful that England proclaimed them the property of the Crown before the revolution and even had them branded. Later on many of the factories of the north were built out of them. Most all of the old growth was cut out by 1930. Today we are salvaging the old timbers and recycling them into flooring.
Anybody have an idea what tree I'm talking about?

swampwhiteoak · March 19, 2001, 05:55:03 PM

With the range I would guess longleaf pine

I think the english also claimed the eastern white pine in NE to be property of the crown.

Don P · March 20, 2001, 08:46:40 AM

Hmm, "Old Ironsides" sent them packing. Choices...

Roy · March 20, 2001, 09:28:30 AM

Rumor has it Betsy Ross modeled Old Glory after the maple tree.

Hugh Darty · March 20, 2001, 09:35:21 AM

Longleaf pine is right!

Roy · March 20, 2001, 09:48:37 AM

I cannot tell a lie . . . The maple should be our national tree.

Don P · March 20, 2001, 03:31:01 PM

We've overlooked the tree that won the prarie, Bodark. Each settler was told to pack a pail of its seed for their future fences. Native Americans used Bois D'arc as wood for bows. Can't say I could vote for anything that hurts that bad but it deserves a nomination.

Gordon · March 21, 2001, 06:10:39 PM

The mighty oak should be the nations tree!

That is my final decision.
Maple was my second choice.
Gordon

Don P · March 23, 2001, 06:24:28 AM

I was looking up rock,chestnut,tanbark...oak,and found this site. Good info on tree species and names.

http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/TechSheets/techmenu.html

Jeff · March 24, 2001, 12:45:28 PM

After finding out that apple is not a native species to the U.S. I feel I wasted my vote. But I can, however change my it here!

I am still looking over all of your personal testimonials to help make my personal choice.

Being a sawyer, I do have sawing preferences. I like black cherry and red oak for beauty. I like pine and cedar for aroma.My least favorite is Ash. It is always dusty. The more you think about this choice the harder it is to make!

Gordon · March 25, 2001, 06:14:57 AM

Jeff I don't think that your vote was wasted. If that was the tree you feel should be the national tree than so be it. It's the U.S.A. and everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Now to the bottom line. The redoak is sure a good second choice. ;) But once again thats my personal opinion. Oak first then maple close behind. The more you think about picking just one tree the harder it gets. It took me about a month to decide. Then again I'm alittle slow. ;D
Gordon

Ron Wenrich · March 25, 2001, 06:16:14 AM

If you like aroma, try black birch and sassafras. Tulip poplar often has a sweet smell as well, almost like perfume.

If you want dusty while sawing my vote is for black locust. The dust also irritates the lungs.

Walnut is another beauty for sawing. I also like the looks of elm.

Ron Scott · March 29, 2001, 04:41:40 PM

The following are still in the lead so far, by alphabetical order:
DOGWOOD
MAPLE
OAK
PINE
REDWOOD
Make sure that your wishes are known as this important National symbol is selected. Vote now at
http://www.arborday.org

Gordon · April 11, 2001, 06:00:18 PM

I just got this e-mail from the National Arbor Day Foundation:

The Vote for America's National Tree has put the following five trees in the lead so far -- (in alphabetical order) Dogwood, Maple, Oak, Pine and Redwood.

We're glad that you have voted and made your wishes known in the selection of this important national symbol. If you have friends who might be interested in voting, you can send the voting link to them via e-mail. Just visithttp://www.arborday.org/efriend and use the automated message to help your friends find the voting site.

Or go here http://www.arborday.org.

So boys and girls if you still have not voted don't delay time is running out.

Gordon

Jeff · April 28, 2001, 02:00:44 PM

The Winner Is...

Oak[/size]

Voting Results

Tree Number of Votes
Oak 101,146
Redwood 80,841
Dogwood 47,351
Maple 45,111
Pine 23,806
Palm 15,519
Redbud 13,551
Magnolia 11,862
Elm 9,893
Tuliptree 9,567
Buckeye 9,058
Cottonwood (Poplar) 6,710
Douglasfir 6,415
Birch 6,245
Pecan (Hickory) 6,243
Spruce 5,986
Holly 5,848
Kukui 5,559
Baldcypress 3,071
Hemlock 2,812
Paloverde 1,114
Other Writeins 26,920
TOTAL 444,628

[/b]

Ron Scott · April 29, 2001, 08:28:47 AM

Oak voters really came out over the Redwood. The designation as a National Tree for the United States now requires legislation passed by Congress. This is now an independent action beyond the voters choice.

Gordon · April 29, 2001, 08:44:47 AM

HOOOOOORRRRAAAAYYY,, I picked a winner. Now if I could do that at the horse track I'd be sitting pretty. :D

Ron is correct only the start of a long road for the actual, end result.

The Palm is number six on the vote list and to be quite honest it never crossed my mind to vote for it. All in where you live I guess.

Gordon

RavioliKid · April 29, 2001, 07:24:34 PM

Hooray for oak!

8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

L. Wakefield · April 29, 2001, 07:51:07 PM

GOOOLLLEEE- I have to wonder at cottonwood getting that high on the list- who knew? Do you think there was a conspiracy of over 6000 members to sneak it in there, or is it thought of affectionately in some places other than wherever I have been? :

RavioliKid · April 30, 2001, 06:53:41 PM

Do you suppose it got in there because of the actions of the Tammy film club?

<cue the music>
I hear the cottonwoods
Whisperin' above...
T-a-a-m-m-y,
T-a-a-m-m-y,
Tammy's in love!
</cue the music>

:D

swampwhiteoak · May 04, 2001, 01:09:24 PM

I pretty happy about not having to renounce my citizenship. Go Oak! 8) 8)
All the tree huggers in northern California are probably upset. And that is just terrible ;D

RavioliKid · May 19, 2001, 07:14:07 PM

I suppose I shouldn't be so lazy - the information is probably just a few mouse clicks away - but, is there a particular variety of oak that was selected as the national tree? Or, just oak, in general!

Just curious...