Our Canopy of Questions About Our North Carolina Trees

1. The large, heart-shaped leaves of the tree are not only good for shade buy also provide food for caterpillars that are used for fishing bait. Name this tree that is a member of the bignonia family produces a long, bean-like seedpod, and is sometime referred to as a "cigar tree."

  Crepe Myrtle    Catalpa     Catawba

2. A member of the witch-hazel family, this widespread tree produces star-shaped leaves; round, spiky seedpods; and fragrant buds. Also know as liquidambar, what tree has served such diverse purposes as hiding places for runaway slaves and cabinetmaking?

Tupelo     Basswood     Sweetgum

3. Leaves on this common tree, a member of the laurel family, are about four to six inches long and have tow to five rounded lobes. Long used by American Indians as a source of medicine, the leaves, bark, and roots of what fragrant tree can be used in tea and other recipes?

Sassafras     Juniper     Yaupon  

4. Called thorn tree by some, this member of the pulse family has alternate, compound leaves seven to eight inches long and area characterized by an even number of leaflets. In addition to thorns, another feature of which tree is its foot-long, flat seedpods that can be dried to make rattles?

Honey locust     Coffee tree     Bean tree

5. Often found in swampy or shady areas, this tree has simple leaves four to 12 inches long that are pointed at the apex and taper to the base. Also called custard apple, what tree has maroon flowers as well as edible fruit that has a pulpy consistency?

Persimmon     Mock orange     Papaw

6. Found in the yards of many older home in our state and also along roadside where its feathery leaves and fluffy pink flowers give an exotic appearance, which native of Asia, sometimes called the silk tree, is also a member of the legume family?

Chinaberry     Sugarberry     Mimosa

7. Measuring up to three feet long and more than one foot wide, the leaves of this relatively rare tree were spotted in Gaston County around 1795 by noted French botanist Andre' Michaux. Name the tree that produces these huge leaves as well as equally impressive white flowers?

Giant laurel     Bigleaf magnolia     French rhododendron

8. Known in some parts as the Carolina poplar, this tree has delta-shaped leaves with jagged edges. Most often found along streambeds, lowlands, and swamps, what tree can grow several feet each year and produces spring flowers that hang in long fronds?

Cottonwood     White willow     Cypress

9. The ebony family includes a member found in most parts of our state. The wood of what tree, with oval-shaped leaves about four to six inches long, is often used for billiard cues and golf-club heads and its yellowish-colored fruit for everything for beer to cakes?

Serviceberry     Persimmon     Chinquapin

10. Often found scattered across woodlands and fields, this small tree has unlobed, heart-shaped leaves about five inches long. Also called the Judas tree and a member of the pulse family, name the tree whose flowers are especially conspicuous in the spring when they are among the first to appear.

Dogwood     Basswood     Redbud

*Answers

1. Catalpa  2. Sweetgum  3. Sassafras  4. Honey locust

5. Papaw   6.  Mimosa   7. Bigleaf magnolia   8. Cottonwood

9. Persimmon    10. Redbud

Well, you might not like bugs for breakfast, but lots of birds just love 'em. Worms, too! There is much to know about the birds of our state. If you think you might like to learn more, select one of the links at left to do more research.