Three trees in winter

SycamoreOne way to identify a tree during winter is to look up.  Sometimes there will be dried seed capsules still hanging from the otherwise bare branches.  Here’s another tree in winter:

Yellow poplarAnd here’s a third tree:

SweetgumIt’s still difficult to tell these trees apart so let’s look at some lower branches which are closer to us.  The first tree:

SycamoreAnd the second tree:

Yellow poplarNow let’s look at the first tree’s seed capsule.

SycamoreAh yes, this is a Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis).  Its upper branches are white.

SycamoreShreds of bark peel away lower down a Sycamore’s trunk.

Sycamore

 

Returning to the second tree, here are the remains of two seed capsules.

Yellow poplarYellow poplarThese seed capsules belong to a Yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera).

Yellow poplar’s light gray bark remains relatively smooth and even.

Yellow poplar

 

Let’s look at the third tree again.  Sometimes the best way to get close to a seed capsule is to look on the ground for fallen ones.

SweetgumThese seed capsules grow on a Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua).

SweetgumSweetgum’s bark is evenly ridged.

Sweetgum

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2 Responses to Three trees in winter

  1. Sandy King says:

    This is so helpful! Thank you so much for posting~

  2. Josh Fecteau says:

    I love this winter tree comparison.

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