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At Classic City Arborists, we’ve done all the homework and taken all the tests to learn as much about the different kinds of trees as we can stuff into our finite heads—it’s our job, after all! But being able to determine what kind of tree you’re looking at can also be a useful skill for anyone to have, even if you aren’t an arborist. Beyond the simple satisfaction you get when you look at a tree and know what it is, recognizing the different types of trees can help you assess the ones you have on your property, or the ones outside your in-law’s house. Knowing a tree’s species means you can look that specific tree species up, and learn what to expect from them. Will they drop all their leaves in the fall? Should you worry about them in a heavy rainstorm? There are too many species to know all of them by heart, of course, and certainly too many to recognize even half of them on sight. But there are a few main types of trees you’ll find around Georgia, and more specifically, the Athens and Watkinsville areas. Did You Know?Georgia is home to approximately 250 different tree species. That’s no small number, but it’s nothing compared to the whopping 60,000 different species of trees on our planet! MapleMaples are easy to spot thanks to their palmate leaves. That’s a fancy word for a leaf stem that has multiple lobes spreading out from the base. If you’ve seen the Canadian flag, you’ve seen a maple leaf! The most common maple trees in Georgia are the sugar maple, red maple, and striped maple. All three lose their leaves in the fall, but not before offering a stunning display of oranges, yellows, reds, and even rusty purples. Their fallen leaves make great leaf piles for children (and fur babies) to play in. HickoryHickory trees, when left to their own devices, can get massive. We’re talking heights over 60 feet and crown spans of more than 40 feet on average! There a bunch of different species of hickories native to Georgia and the Southeast, including their cousins, the pecan tree. All hickories have similar leaf patterns, making them easy to identify. They grow stalks, each of which will have anywhere from 5 to 17 leaves on it. Barring mutations, the leaves grow in oppositional pairs, which means they mirror each other along either side of the stalk. One leaf grows from the end of the stalk, making the total number odd. The pair of leaves closest to the base of the stalk are usually much smaller than the rest. The leaves themselves can range from 2 to 8 inches long, depending on the age and size of the tree, and have little serrations all along their edges. These serrations can be sharp and pointy, or more rounded, but they’re almost always subtle. Hickories are also characterized by their bark, which has ridges that are universally vertical, rather than horizontal. OaksAgain, there are a few different types of oak trees native to our area, including white oaks, scarlet oaks, water oaks, willow oaks, and live oaks. Live oaks are probably the most widely known; they’re the ancient behemoths that grow along Georgia’s coastline, like Savannah, and are always dripping with Spanish moss. Any oak is pretty easy to recognize by lobed leaves. These lobes can be rounded or spiky, kind of like the maple leaf, but they’re always long and skinny. Oaks also have ridged gently ridged bark—not fissured, mind you. You won’t find massive cracks you could stick a penny into. Think rough, or bumpy. PinesAnd last, but certainly not least, come the pine trees. Pines make up the large portion of Georgia’s forests, and are probably the most easily recognized. Though there are dozens of pine species, like the loblolly, eastern white, and longleaf pine, all of them have the characteristic, evergreen needles that serve as leaves. When young, pines grow tall and skinny. Once they reach maturity, they’ll start filling out near the base and end up with a more triangular shape that you might associate with Christmas trees (although real Christmas trees aren’t actually pines). To learn more about some of the other species of trees you’ll find around our lovely little Athens, check out our Tree of the Month articles. If you have a tree you’re concerned about, be it one of these species or otherwise, check out our guide on how to identify if your tree is in decline. Or, contact us to schedule a free estimate! AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.
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If you’ve ever visited Georgia’s coastline, like Savannah or Jekyll Island, then you’ve definitely seen the majestic Live Oak. These massive, craggy old trees are dripping with Spanish moss, and their limbs are so heavy, they sometimes have to reach to the ground before growing up again. Their trunks stretch high in the sky, and just the sight of one makes you feel like you’re surrounded by history—and in a way, you are! The Southern Live Oak is Georgia’s official State tree. Back in 1937, the Edmund Burke Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution advocated for the Live Oak to be given this honor. Specifically, they called for the adoption of the Live Oak as “the official tree emblematic of the State of Georgia.” This wording is noteworthy, because it’s different than the way other states identify their State trees. The Daughters of the American Revolution cited these reasons to justify their choice:
On February 25, 1937, Georgia’s legislature approved the decision with Joint Resolution No. 14, which reads: Whereas in many of the States of the Union some tree indigenous to the soil of the State has been chosen as an emblem of its sovereignty; and Live Oaks (also known as Virginia Live Oaks, thanks to their scientific name, Quercus virginiana) are well-known for their looks. They grow just as wide as they do tall, which is saying something, considering mature Live Oaks can reach heights of 65 to 85 feet. Their trunks are usually so big around that multiple people would have to join hands to fully circle it. Where most tree limbs grow up and out from a third to halfway up the trunk, Live Oak limbs grow thick and heavy from close to the base of the tree, and they stretch more outward than they do upward. This growth pattern usually leads to the weight of the limb dragging the entire thing down until it hits the ground, where it finds more support and can stretch back up again. On average, adult Live Oaks stand around 40 to 50 feet tall, with a crown spread around 80 feet and branches that measure up to 5 or 6 feet in diameter. They’re considered one of the faster-growing trees when young, clocking around 2 feet of height per year. Once they’re established, however, that growth rate slows down significantly. The growth rate of fully matured Live Oaks is almost entirely stalled, as they devote most of their energy to supporting their massive size. As you might be able to guess, Live Oaks grow best in well-drained, sandy soil with plenty of moisture, and prefer high humidity and full sun—exactly what you find along the coast. They can tolerate drier climates and more compact soils, but they will grow much slower and likely won’t reach their full potential. Live Oaks that do grow in their favorite environment are one of the longest-living oak species. On average, any given Live Oak you see is probably 200 to 300 years old. DID YOU KNOW?The largest Live Oak on record was discovered in 1976 close to Louisburg, Louisiana. Its trunk diameter measured 11.65 feet across, and its branches reached 55 feet into the sky. But what made this tree a national champion was its crown spread, which stretched 132 feet wide! If you don’t live near the coast, you might not realize that Live Oaks grow and drop acorns just like all other oaks. These dark-brown, almost black fruits measure around 1 inch long and often grow in clusters of 3 to 5. Live Oaks are generally pruned when young to establish one strong, central trunk structure, but otherwise require little to no maintenance. They are susceptible to a fungal gall called leaf blister, but this usually only disfigures a few leaves and doesn’t cause any serious damage. You can rake up and burn or otherwise dispose of infected leaves to help reduce the chances of a tree contracting the fungus again. While other oak species are at a high risk for oak wilt disease, which can kill even the largest of trees, there have been no documented cases of oak wilt in Live Oaks, potentially because of their salty surroundings. Though they often appear lighter green thanks to the interspersing of Spanish Moss, Live Oak leaves are actually a dark green, and covered with a waxy coating that protects them from salt spray. Unlike other oak species that lose their leaves seasonally, Live Oaks are nearly evergreen. Old leaves will yellow and drop only when new leaves begin to push through, sometime around late winter to early spring. If you’re concerned that an oak tree on your property (or any tree, for that matter) might have some kind of disease or fungal infection, check out our article to learn how to identify signs of decay. Or, contact us for a free estimate! Overall, the Southern Live Oak is a huge part of Georgia’s history. You can find them on postcards, stamps, and in all kinds of art across the entire state. They line the driveways to old antebellum mansions and decorate the parks of coastal towns. Low-hanging limbs are perfect for climbing, or relaxing with a good book. Their shade is refreshing on a hot summer day, and their leaves rustling in the breeze is a soothing balm to the soul. AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. Though sometimes our job at Classic City Arborists is to cut trees down, we do our best to keep as many trees standing as we can—and not just because they’re pretty. Trees are vital to our planet, atmosphere, and ecosystem, which we’re sure you already know. But these gentle giants do more than just produce the oxygen we breathe (although that in and of itself is no small task!). There are dozens of other reasons why trees are important, and why you should always want them around! Trees Clean the AirWhile you probably already know that trees absorb CO2 (carbon dioxide, which is what we exhale) and turn it into O2 (oxygen, that we breathe), you might not know that trees also filter out lots of different pollutants from our air. Odors, gases, and even airborne chemicals get trapped on a tree’s leaves and bark, leaving the air around trees much cleaner. Trees Reduce Water Pollution When it rains, water runs down the sides of the street and through various ditches and drains until it reaches the nearest creek, river, or lake. Eventually, that water will either make its way to the ocean, or to the groundwater supply. This wouldn’t be a problem, except this water will encounter oil build-up on the road and pesticides from the grass and even soap from when you washed your car. All those pollutants are then carried to the rivers, oceans, and groundwater supplies, which is bad for those ecosystems. But how do trees make this better? Well, any rain that encounters a tree will run down the leaves, branches, and trunk directly to the ground, where it absorbs directly into the groundwater without running across parking lots or crop fields. Even tree mulch that you have spread around your yard can help reduce runoff pollution, by soaking up rainwater and slowly releasing it directly into the ground. Trees Save WaterShade from tall trees protect moisture on the ground from the evaporating power of the sun. When you water your lawn, the nearby trees help ensure the sun doesn’t render all that work for naught. Trees Prevent Soil ErosionIf you remember from 6th grade science class, erosion is when wind and rain displace topsoil, which can drastically affect the shape and ecosystem of any landscape. A tree’s elaborate root system acts as a kind of anchor for soil, reducing what can be washed away in a storm. Trees Offer ShadeWhether you’re walking on the sidewalk in the park or enjoying an iced tea on your back porch, having trees around to shade you from the hot sun is always nice. Shade is also important for children playing outside, because it not only helps prevent energetic toddlers from overheating, but it also helps filter out harmful UV rays that could burn their skin. Shade is also a good thing to have if you have pets that you let spend time outside, so they don’t get too hot and have a nice, cool place to relax. Trees Cool Down the StreetsEveryone loves enjoying a warm Summer day sitting under the shade of a tall tree—but only if it’s not too hot. With a moderate scattering of trees, any given area (like your home, your backyard, or downtown Athens) experiences a temperature reduction of up to 10 full degrees! That’s the difference between it feeling like the 80s F and feeling like the 70s F, which, as all Georgians know, is a drastic improvement. Trees Save Energy – and Money on Your Power BillWith all that shade and helping lower the temperature around you, trees help keep your home cooler. A cooler home doesn’t need to run the AC as much. In fact, just three strategically-placed trees around your home could cut up to 50% off your monthly power bill. Trees Provide WoodThe house you live in, the office you work at, and the movie theater you visit on the weekends were all probably constructed with at least some wood, courtesy of our friends the trees. Your dining table, favorite rocking chair, and dresser might also be made out of wood. Take a second to peruse your home, and you’re likely to see the influence of trees everywhere you look! Trees Provide FoodFruit trees are a great source of nutrition, not only for the animals in the area, but for us as well. A single apple tree can grow between 15 and 20 bushels of apples in a year, which is more than enough to supply your family with applesauce, apple cobbler, and apple butter for the winter. Fruit trees don’t have to take up much room, meaning you can keep them even in a crowded neighborhood. Trees Create JobsWhen you sift through the pears at the grocery store, looking for one with the right level of ripeness, you might not really think about the fact that they grew on a tree—but they did, and someone had to pick them from that tree. Someone else had to wash them, and package them, and deliver them to your grocery store, where someone had to unload them from the truck and display them for you to look at. Even trees that don’t offer food still make jobs, like the trees grown for paper or lumber. Even Christmas trees create jobs every year! Trees Generate More BusinessStudies have shown that areas with multiple businesses will see higher traffic rates with more trees and landscaping. Tree-lined streets and sidewalks also actually slow down both drivers and walkers, which gives them more time to look at store fronts and any marketing material, which in turn increases the rate at which passersby visit businesses on a whim. Trees Increase Property ValueYou’ve probably never really thought about it, but having trees on your property actually makes it worth more. Statistically speaking, well-planted properties can be worth up to 15% more than barren ones. Interested buyers are generally more drawn to homes with mature trees and a variety of flora than they are homes surrounded by empty land. Trees Act as BarriersTrees are valuable as both visual and auditory barriers in a variety of situations. Cities will often plant rows of trees to obscure unsightly concrete walls, or line them up between a neighborhood and nearby highway to help reduce the sounds of cars on the road for families. Most parking lots are also broken up with trees, which can help mark the lanes and flow of traffic. Tree barriers are also used to block air currents and reduce wind intensity across open fields or in and around neighborhoods. They’re sometimes even planted to reduce glare from glass structures. You can enjoy privacy in your backyard by planting a row of trees on your property line, which will block anyone from looking or listening in to your serene oasis. Trees Reduce ViolenceOn a similar note, crime rates show that neighborhoods with more trees and green landscaping are less likely to experience both violent and non-violent crimes than their more barren counterparts. Trees Are Playgrounds for ChildrenTo a child, a tree can be almost anything. A sentry guarding the magic castle, or a tower concealing a sleeping princess. A wild jungle with new species to discover, or a private escape to take a quick nap under. Trees have fostered creativity in humans for ages, and help improve a child’s creativity, logic skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking, all of which are vital to their development. Trees Are GreenOkay, no, not all trees are green, and most trees aren’t green all the time, but the point stands: trees are plants. Studies have shown that humans, as a species and on some primal level, actually need exposure to plants—especially green plants. There are a wide range of theories on why this is the case, ranging from ancestral precedent to divine intention, but the fact remains that trees are really important to a person’s mental and physical wellbeing. Trees Can HealAgain, we aren’t exactly sure why this is, but studies have also shown that patients in hospitals or long-term care facilities who can view trees from their windows or have plants in their rooms will heal faster with less complications than a patient who doesn’t have such access. Children with ADHD, autism, and other cognitive or developmental impairments have also proven to experience less symptoms when given frequent access to nature. Trees Make You SmarterPerhaps for the same reason that access to trees improves mental health, studies have shown that schools with trees visible through classroom windows have, on average, higher test scores and graduation rates. Office workers also show more productivity and enjoyment of their work life when trees are visible through office windows. Trees Foster CommunityWhether it’s a local organization coming together to plant a new tree, or a local landmark like the Tree that Owns Itself, trees have been bringing people of all ages, sizes, origins, and colors together for thousands of years. Trees are so incredibly important for every part of our lives, from fostering creativity in children to encouraging productivity in adults at work to helping our sick and injured to recover. If we’ve convinced you to add some new tree friends to your property, be sure to check out our Tree of the Month articles to learn all about some great species to consider! AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. |
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January 2023
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23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24