The Black Walnut has dark thick ski trail bark with alternate branches (http://ohioline.osu.edu/b899/pdf/b899.pdf). Its stems are green with compound opposite leaves and green walnuts. Pioneers would use the dye from the nuts to dye their clothes. It is known as a flowering tree that is commonly seen in moist open spaces. One will most likely spot the Black Walnut in meadows, pastures and a slope. They can reach between 70-150 feet high and a diameter of 2-4 feet. Its scientific name is Juglahs Nigra.

The Hickory tree has alternate branches and fishnet bark. The bark has a light gray color and curved ridges. Its broad, compound, opposite leaves start small at the beginning then end in one big leaf. It can reach 50-100 feet high. Many Hickory's have fruit (nuts) which is useful when identifying this tree. The Hickory's wood is durable making is great for cooking and lacrosse sticks.  Its scientific name is Carya Cordiformis.

The Black Gum tree has alternate branches that come straight out. It has a compound leaf structure and it's leaves resemble the shape of heresy kisses. The leaves are dark green, glossy and it has blocky bark. The Black Gum produces a small, dark blue fruit that is food for squirrels, birds and other small animals. It can grow 60-100 ft. high and is commonly seen growing in moist areas. This tree can live to be over a 100 years old. Its scientific name is Nyssa Sylvatica.

The Northern red oak's bark resembles the pattern of ski trails. It has alternate branches which means the branches alternate on each side. It's scientific name is Quercus Rubra, which is the scientific name for all oak trees. It's characteristic consist of an acorn that looks like a little china mans hat and has pointed leaves. The pointed tip of the leaf is called the sinus and the round corners are called the lobes.

 

The Tulip (yellow) Poplar has fishnet bark with a white accent throughout it. It has a showy green flower that thrives during late spring, early summer and it attracts insects to help it thrive. The Tulip Poplar's scientific name is Liro Dendron Tulipiferra. Another indicator of the Tulip Poplar its cat faced shaped leaf. It grows at a fast pace in moist areas and has alternate branches and simple leaves. It can live to be 300 years old in well drained, rich soil.

"The University of Tennessee - Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center - Plants." The University of Tennessee - Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center - Plants. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.

"Black Walnut." Black Walnut. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.

"Carya Ovata." Carya Ovata. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.

"Oak, Northern Red Quercus Rubra." Tree Details—The Tree Guide at Arborday.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.

"Liriodendron Tulipifera Fact Sheet." Liriodendron Tulipifera Fact Sheet. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.