MISSOURI TREES

by J.E. Wylie and Ramon Gass

INTRODUCTION

PLEASURE AND PROFIT both can be derived from a knowledge of trees. As a hunter or fisherman, a knowledge of our trees can increase your abilities as an outdoorsman and your pleasure in being in the field. As a timberland owner, knowing trees, where they grow best, and the products for which they are best suited will increase your profit and pride in ownership. In one way or another the trees in our forests, along our streets, on our lawns, or in our homes as finished products, affect the lives of all of us.

Our forests, which cover one-third of Missouri, are made up of at least 140 species of trees. However, many are rare or comparatively unimportant. In this bulletin we have described 37 species of trees which are most important to man and wildlife. All of the major commercially important trees are included. In most sections of the state these 37 species will make up 90 percent or more of the total number of trees in wooded areas.

For those of you who want to go further into the study of trees or dendrology (as it is called), there are a number of excellent references. Trees of Missouri by Settergren and McDermott with photos by Tau is the best local text. Published by the University of Missouri, it is available through the Agricultural Editor's Office, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. On a national basis, Knowing Your Trees, published by the American Forestry Association, is probably the best book on trees for laymen. Harlow and Harrar's Textbook of Dendrology is the standard text in most forestry schools.

We wish to thank the School of Forestry, University of Missouri, for making all of the identifying photographs used in this book available to us.

Index

Ash, white Baldcypress Blackgum Cherry, black Cottonwood, eastern Dogwood, flowering Elm, American Elm, slippery

Hackberry Hawthorn Hickory, bitternut Hickory, mockernut Hickory, shagbark Hickory, shellbark Locust, black Maple, silver

Mulberry, red Oaks, the Oak, black Oak, blackjack Oak, bur Oak, northern red Oak, pin Oak, post

Oak, scarlet Oak, white Osage-orange Pawpaw Persimmon Pine, shortleaf Redbud, eastern Redcedar, eastern

Sassafras Sweetgum Sycamore, American Walnut, black Willow, black Yellow, poplar

Published by Missouri Department of Conservation - Jefferson City 1993 Copyright 1980 Missouri Conservation Commission

Document ID: -- Content revision: 20000817

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