Black Walnut, Juglans nigra

Description of the Black Walnut (Juglans nigra):

General Characteristics
--Large, deciduous tree reaching heights of 50-75 feet, with some specimens reaching up to 150 feet.
--Broad, spreading crown with a rounded shape in open areas and an umbrella-like shape in forests.
--Dark, furrowed bark that becomes increasingly textured with age.
--Single, well-formed trunk that is usually branch-free for a considerable distance from the ground.

Leaves
--Large, pinnately compound leaves, reaching up to 2 feet in length.
--Composed of 5-11 pairs of leaflets along a central axis, with a single leaflet at the tip.
--Leaflets are ovate-oblong to ovate-lanceolate with an acuminate tip and a rounded base.
--Edges are irregularly serrated.
--Yellow-green in color, with a strong, pleasant fragrance when crushed.

Flowers and Fruit
--Inconspicuous flowers in elongate, green clusters that appear in spring.
--Produces round, walnut fruits, 1.5 to 2.25 inches in diameter.
--Fruits consist of a hard-shelled, furrowed nut encased in a green husk that darkens as it ripens.

Other Features
--Native to Eastern North America, found from southern Ontario to Texas and Florida.
--Prefers full sun for optimal growth and nut production.
--Shade intolerant, meaning it struggles to grow in dense shade.
--Considered a pioneer species, often found along roadsides, fields, and forest edges.
--Prized for its valuable, dark-grained wood used in furniture, gunstocks, and veneer.
--Produces edible nuts with a distinctive flavor, although the shells are harder to crack than English walnuts.

Interesting historical fact:
Black Walnut trees have been valued for their wood since colonial times and some prized trees have even been stolen.

Little Walnut, Juglans microcarpa

Some facts about the Little Walnut (Juglans microcarpa):

Size and Appearance:
--Small tree or shrub, typically reaching 20-30 feet tall, but can grow up to 50 feet in ideal conditions.
--Single or multiple trunks with spreading low branches, forming a broad, rounded crown.
--Pinnately compound leaves, 9-12 inches long, with 11-25 narrow leaflets with serrated edges (small teeth).
--Yellow-green leaves with a dull upper surface and paler underside.
--Gray to dark brown bark that becomes deeply fissured with age.
--Young trees have smooth, silvery-gray bark.

Habitat and Range:
--Native to the southwestern and central United States and northern Mexico.
--Found in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arizona.
--Grows wild along streams, ravines, and areas with access to shallow water.
--Thrives in hot and dry climates, drought tolerant due to a long taproot.

Flowers and Fruit:
--Monoecious, meaning one tree has both male and female flowers (separate blooms).
--Male flowers are slender catkins that appear in May on the previous year's growth.
--Female flowers are yellow-green and solitary or clustered on current year's growth.
--Produces the smallest nuts of all walnut species, ranging from 0.5 to 0.8 inches in diameter.
--Nuts are hard, dark brown, and covered by a thick fibrous husk.
--Nuts mature in October and contain edible seeds.

Other Interesting Facts:
--The name "Juglans microcarpa" comes from Latin: "Juglans" meaning Jupiter's acorn and "microcarpa" meaning having small fruit.
--Can hybridize with other walnut species like Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) where their ranges overlap.
--Provides food and habitat for wildlife like squirrels, birds, and small mammals.
--Considered a heat-tolerant and drought-resistant landscape plant in suitable regions.

Peanut, Arachis hypogaea

Some interesting facts about peanuts (Arachis hypogaea):

Technically not a nut:
Despite the name, peanuts are classified as legumes, along with peas, beans, and lentils. This is because they grow in pods underground and fix nitrogen in the soil through bacteria in their roots.

Underground trick:
Peanuts are unique legumes because their flowers develop above ground, but after fertilization, the flower stalk (peg) elongates and pushes the developing pod underground where the peanut matures. This is called geocarpy.

South American origins:
Peanuts originated in South America thousands of years ago and were cultivated by indigenous people there. Spanish explorers introduced them to Europe and Asia in the 16th century.

Powerhouse of nutrients:
Peanuts are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are a valuable source of essential nutrients, especially for people in developing countries.

Double duty crop:
Peanuts are considered both a grain legume due to their high protein content and an oilseed crop because of their oil content. Peanut oil is a popular cooking oil around the world.

Global favorite:
China is the leading producer of peanuts worldwide, followed by India and the United States. Peanuts are a versatile food enjoyed in various forms, from peanut butter and roasted peanuts to snacks and peanut oil.

Jabuticabeira, Plinia cauliflora

Jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora) is a fruit tree native to Brazil. It is a member of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), and is related to guava and feijoa. The tree is typically small, growing to about 15-20 feet tall. It has a dense, spreading canopy of evergreen leaves. The flowers are small and white, and they bloom in the spring. The fruit is a round, purple berry about 1-2 inches in diameter. The flesh is white and juicy, with a sweet, grape-like flavor. The seeds are large and hard.

Jabuticaba is a popular fruit in Brazil, and it is eaten fresh, used in jams and jellies, or fermented into wine. The fruit is a good source of vitamins C and E, as well as potassium. It is also a good source of antioxidants.

Jabuticaba trees are relatively easy to grow, and they can be grown in a variety of climates. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. The trees are drought-tolerant and can be grown in areas with as little as 20 inches of annual rainfall.

Jabuticaba trees are not typically available in commercial nurseries, but they can be grown from seed or purchased from specialty nurseries. The trees are slow-growing, and it can take several years for them to bear fruit.

Here are some additional facts about Jabuticaba:

--The name Jabuticaba comes from the Tupi-Guarani language, and it means "fruit that comes from the earth."
--are native to the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Espírito Santo.
--are typically found in moist, shady forests.
-- can live for up to 100 years.
--is a good source of vitamins C and E, as well as potassium.
--is also a good source of antioxidants.
--can be eaten fresh, used in jams and jellies, or fermented into wine.
--are relatively easy to grow, and they can be grown in a variety of climates.
--are not typically available in commercial nurseries, but they can be grown from seed or purchased from specialty nurseries.
-- are slow-growing, and it can take several years for them to bear fruit.

Downy Serviceberry, Amelanchier arborea

Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) Facts:

General:
--Native to eastern North America, ranging from the Gulf Coast to southern Canada and west to Texas and Minnesota.
--Grows as a small tree or large shrub, typically reaching 15-25 feet tall but can grow up to 60 feet.
--Often has a multi-stemmed form with rounded crown and arching branches.
--Provides year-round interest with its flowers, fruit, and attractive bark in winter.

Leaves and Flowers:
--Leaves are simple, alternate, oval to broadly lanceolate, with pointed tips and finely toothed edges.
--Young leaves have a fuzzy underside that becomes smoother with maturity.
--Produces white flowers in drooping clusters in early spring, often before the leaves emerge.
--Flowers are attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Fruit and Wildlife:
--Bears small, edible pome fruits that ripen from red to purple-black in late summer (June-July).
--The fruit is sweet and tart, enjoyed by birds and wildlife, and can be used in jams, jellies, and pies.
--A good source of food for birds during fall and winter.

Other:
--Considered a low-maintenance and versatile plant, suitable for gardens, borders, and natural landscapes.
--Tolerates a variety of soil types but prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun to part shade.
--Relatively fast-growing with a moderate lifespan of around 30-50 years.
--Easy to propagate from seeds or cuttings.
--Provides habitat for various bird species and attracts pollinators.

Additional Notes:
--The name "Downy Serviceberry" refers to the fuzzy undersides of young leaves.
--Other common names include shadbush, juneberry, and serviceberry.

Bradford pear, Pyrus calleryana

Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford') Facts:

Origins and Spread:
--A cultivar (cultivated variety) of the Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), native to China and Vietnam.
--Introduced to the US in the early 1900s and widely planted for its ornamental features.
--Considered an invasive species in many areas due to its prolific seed production and ability to outcompete native plants.

Appearance and Growth:
--Small to medium-sized tree, reaching 40-50 feet tall with a dense, oval crown.
--Known for its fast growth and vase-shaped form.
--Bark is grayish-brown with shallow furrows.
--Leaves are glossy, dark green above and lighter green below, with serrated edges.

Flowers and Fruit:
--Produces clusters of showy white flowers in early spring, before leaves emerge.
--Flowers have a strong, unpleasant odor often described as fishy.
--The 'Bradford' cultivar itself is mostly sterile and produces few or no fruits.
--However, other Callery pear cultivars and rootstocks can be fertile and contribute to invasiveness.
--Fruits are small, greenish-brown, and not considered edible.

Fall Foliage

Other Considerations:
--Originally popular for its low maintenance and resistance to disease, Bradford pears have become problematic due to their weak branch structure.
--Branches are prone to splitting in heavy snow or wind, leading to safety concerns.
--Many cities and municipalities are phasing out Bradford pear plantings in favor of native species.

Alternatives:
If you're looking for a flowering tree with similar characteristics, consider native alternatives like:
--Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
--Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
--Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
--American crabapple (Malus coronaria)

Sweet Crabapple, Malus coronaria

Sweet Crabapple (Malus coronaria) Facts:

General:
--Native to North America, particularly the eastern half.
--Often called American crabapple, wild crabapple, Biltmore crabapple, or garland crab.
--Grows as a small tree, typically 15-30 feet tall with a short trunk and wide-spreading branches.
--Can also appear as a bushy shrub.
--Bark is reddish-brown and scaly.

Leaves and Flowers:
--Leaves are oval-shaped, with serrated edges and a rounded or heart-shaped base, reaching 2.5 to 4 inches long.
--Produces fragrant, white flowers tinged with pink in clusters during late spring (May-June).
--Blooms later than domesticated apple trees.

Fruit and Wildlife:
--Fruit is a small, greenish-yellow pome, not particularly showy but abundant.
--The fruit becomes sweeter after drying or cold storage, making it suitable for jams, jellies, and cider, especially when combined with other apples.
--Provides food for birds and other wildlife.
--The tree itself is a host plant for many butterfly and moth species.

Other:
--Considered a low-maintenance tree and provides year-round interest in landscapes with its flowers, fruit, and winter silhouette.
--Prefers full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil.
--Can tolerate drier conditions.

Traditionally, the bark and roots were used for medicinal purposes, although this is not recommended today.