White Ash
The White Ash tree, Fraxinus Americana, is a handsome native tree. It develops an open and rather round topped crown in its old age. This is the largest of the ash trees in North America. Mature trunks can reach almost 6 feet in diameter. This deciduous tree has firm gray bark with diamond-shaped furrows and interlacing ridges. The tree grows in the rich, moist, well-drained soil of bottomlands and other soil types on not-so-dry slopes. The size and value of White Ash trees makes this one of the primary commercial hardwoods in the United States. The wood is hard, strong, elastic, and very useful. Several kinds of birds eat the fruit. The foliage is dark green in the summer and turns to yellow or maroon in the fall. It is tall, stately, and long lived. ... more information
Balsam Fir The Balsam Fir, 'Abies balsamea', exhibits a relatively dense, dark-green, pyramidal crown with a slender spire-like tip. The scientific name "balsamea" is an ancient word for the balsam tree, so named because of the many resinous blisters found in the bark. Balsam fir and Fraser fir have many similar characteristics. The species thrives in cooler climates and demands abundant soil moisture and a humid atmosphere. A large percentage of Christmas trees are Balsam Firs.
