Sweetbay Magnolia

Sweetbay Magnolia

"Swampbay Magnolia"

Magnolia virginiana L.

This tree is located from Massachusetts south to southern Florida; west to south eastern Texas.    Here in the south this tree is an evergreen and in the northern states it will loose its leaves in the winter.

The tree can range for 20' to 60' in height and up to 1.5' DBH.

The leaves are oblong 3" to 6" long and  1.25" to 2.5" wide. They are shiny green to dark green with the underside being whitish and slightly hairy.

The bark is grey to light brown; smooth and aromatic.

Is that a tree or a shrub and is it evergreen or deciduous?

What makes a tree a tree and not a shrub?

A tree is classified as at least 13 feet in height and the trunk to be 3 inches DBH (diameter breast height). Any woody plant that does not meet this classification is a shrub. 

Trees come in many shapes and sizes. They all can be classified into two groups.

1. Evergreens
2. Deciduous

Evergreens

Evergreens keep their leaves year around. Some trees that are Evergreen are...

• Conifers (Needled Ex. pines) and (Scale like leaves Ex. Cedars). Most but not all conifers are evergreens.
• Broad Leafs Ex. Live oak , Holly and Magnolias.

Deciduous

Deciduous trees will loose their leaves once a year and grow a new stet of leave after winter.  Some trees that are Deciduous are...

• Broad Leafs ( Includes all most all trees that have what you think of as a leaf).  Ex. Maples, Birch and Cherry trees. 
• Conifers Ex. Bald cypress and Larch will loose their needles come winter.  Quick Fact: Bald crypess gets it's name because it looses all its needles like its going bald.

 

Welcome

Welcome and thanks for coming to check out my blog. 

Here on The Forest Dweller blog I will focus on nature. I will  feature tree and shrub identification.  I will also take you along on my trips to parks and forest.  In my next post I'll talk about what makes a tree a tree and not a shrub. I will  further explain the types of trees and classifications.  See you soon.