Tree and Plant Biodiversity

Japanese hop is a native of Asia and was imported to North America as an ornamental plant and for Oriental medicinal purposes in the late 1800s. It is an annual vine that can climb or twine around trees, fences, and more. It also spreads rapidly across open spaces and can overgrow and shade out native species in the understory.

Red Maple is one of the most commonly occurring trees in eastern North America. The tree is well adapted to many different site conditions, from lowlands to uplands, and shady to sunny. Its suitable habitat can be found across the entirety of Maryland.

Sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima) is native to Asia, from northeast India to Korea, and was introduced to the eastern U.S. in 1920. However, sawtooth oaks have adapted to a wide area of the nation and now are escaping from plantings into natural areas, particularly in the eastern states, where they can outcompete native species.

The Calvert County Department of Planning & Zoning announces the reopening of its “Spread Your Leaves” tree coupon program.

The tuliptree, Liriodendron tulipifera, is one of the tallest of Maryland's native trees, and one of the tallest of the deciduous trees in North America.

In this issue: Read about a few changes taking place, in the newsletter and more. Register now for the Spring session of our "The Woods in Your Backyard" online course, and learn about upcoming webinars. Our new feature, "Native Trees of Maryland," looks at the state tree: the white oak.  "Invasives in Your Woodlands" looks at wineberry. And don't forget the events calendar and the Brain Tickler challenge.

Back issues of the Branching Out newsletter can be found on this page.

The white oak is a remarkable tree species. The tree is truly an impressive specimen where older examples are found growing in the open landscape. It is no wonder that this species of oak is Maryland’s state tree.

The wineberry is non-native and invasive. This Asian native was imported to the United States in 1890 by berry growers. They wanted to use it as breeding stock with native raspberries, but it escaped from cultivation and was first observed in natural areas in the 1970s.

The white mulberry reached our shores during the colonial period. This invasive plant is found in every Maryland county.