Question: I came across a population of this tree in Dedham, MA. I think Quercus, but species has me stumped. I …
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Question
I came across a population of this tree in Dedham, MA. I think Quercus, but species has me stumped. I though maybe Q. prinoides (rhizomatous colony) but these trees are in a very wet area (standing water, sphagnum moss). Also, pointed leaf tips seem different. I ruled out Q. rubra based on bark and base of leaf blade. I ruled out Q. bicolor because underside of leaf is nearly hairless (only few hairs visible w/ hand lens). Pics of leaf tops & bottoms, bark, population/location & leaf cover. Tx!
Answer
Dear stephradner, your tree is Nyssa sylvatica (black tupelo), a member of the Cornaceae. The bark is characteristic of this species, as well the leaf blades, which occasionally have a few, remote teeth on the leaves. This tree is found in swamps, such as you have pictured in the nice series of photographs.
