Showy Woodland Trees of Spring

By Robert Venner, Illustrations by Donna Pasley

Enter into a Missouri woodland at the tail end of winter and witness a scene of somber tones--black, grays and browns. Then, in brilliant contrast, see the sun shine through the leafless canopy and fall upon a luminous array of small tress with blossoms so conspicuous they gladden the heart of those who long for spring.

All trees produce flowers, but only a select few of our native trees are showy enough to attract our attention. Those shown here are arranged in the order of their appearance. There is often some variation in blooming times due to weather, elevation, south or north facing slopes and southern or northern locations. A favorite time to tour our countryside to see these trees is during the last two weeks of April. But anytime from early March through June, you can look for this parade of showy woodland trees.

Serviceberry (Sarviceberry, Shadbush) Amelanchier arobrea

Blooms: March thru May

Height: 6 to 40 feet

This white, starlike, bloom appears early before the leaves of the trees unfold. It is found throughout most of the state in open or nearly open or rocky woods, steep wooded slopes and bluffs.

Eastern Redbud (Judas tree) Cercis canadensis

Blooms: Late March to early May

Height: to 45 feet

This showy lavender tree is found on limestone soils in open woodlands, thickets, woodland borders, along rocky streams and on bluffs. The Redbud usually blooms before the Dogwood but in the Ozarks the two will sometimes be found blooming together.

Wild Plum Prunus americana

Blooms: April and May

Height: to 25 feet

This fragrant tree often occurs in colonies in thickets, pastures and woodlands. Each flower in its cluster originates from the same point on the twig. The tree has a pink appearance even though the petals are normally white because the flower stalks and centers are red. Over 300 varieties have been created from this one species by horiculturists.

Wild Crab Pytus ioensis

Blooms: April and May

Height: 8 to 25 feet

Found in prairie openings, upland and low open woods and thickets, this fragrant tree is often sought after for its fruit for the making of jelly or marmalade.

Red Buckeye Aesculus pavia

Blooms: mid-April and June

Height: 3 to 15 feet

This tree is found in low, rich woods and valleys, along streams and at the base of bluffs in the southeast part of the state where it finds shade and rich soil. The reddish flower clusters stand upright and contrast with the dark green foliage.

Flowering Dogwood (State tree) Cornus florida

Blooms: mid-April and mid-May

Height: to 30 feet

This well known and often planted tree is found on wooded slopes, ravines, along bluffs, upland ridges, in thickets and on well drained soils. The showy boom is actually composed of four large petal-like white bracts which surround a small yellow-green cluster composed of the true flowers.

Hawthorn (State flower) Crataegus sp.

Blooms: Late April to early June

Height: to 30 feet

The Hawthorns, as a group, include a large and complex number of species. Its various members (now at 79 species) are found in every county in the state and on a variety of sites. It generally prefers open woodlands and is an invader of disturbed land. Its fruit is valuable as bird food.

There are other interesting tree blossoms to locate in the spring--sometimes harder to find but no less beautiful. Very early, when the frost has barely left the ground in low moist areas, you may find the delicate, inconspicuous, star-shaped flowers of the Spicebush. Later, after the trees have begun to leaf out, look for the white, ornate and tropical looking Catalpa tree blossoms; the yellow and orange, cup-shaped flowers of the Tulip Poplar (you often must look up very high); the white, showy fragrant clusters of the Black Locust or the common white bloom of Black Cherry. These are but a few of the many blossoms to look for. Some are a challenge to see since they occur at the tops of trees or are very small. But add them all up and you have the necessary ingredients for a beautiful woodland spring.

Copyright 1985 by the Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri.

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