Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua Commercially valuable tree. Wood takes a high polish in imitation of more expensive varieties. Widely used for furniture, cabinet wood, veneer, and pulp. Star-shaped leaves; corky ridges on twigs; ball-like fruit. Southern Magnolia Magnolia grandiflora Large, leathery evergreen leaves are glossy green on top and rusty-reddish suede on the underside. Large, showy, white fragrant flowers appear at intervals during the summer. One of the most striking and characteristic trees of the deep South. Water Tupelo Nyssa aquatica As the name implies, this tree is found in swampy areas. It has many of the same characteristics and uses as black tupelo. One characteristic of this tree is the conspicuously swollen base. Black Tupelo Nyssa sylvatica On mature trees bark is deeply and narrowly fissured with oblong blocks resembling alligator leather. Wood is spirally grained and difficult to split. Sweetbay Magnolia Magnolia virginiana Leaves are bright, lustrous green above, nearly white beneath. Evergreen; member of the magnolia family with fragrant white flowers. Often planted as an ornamental. Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida Widely planted as an ornamental, early flowering, leaf veins curve and tend to follow the leaf margin. Heavy, hard, strong and tough wood used for making shuttles for textile industry. America Holly Ilex opaca Widely planted as an ornamental. Male and female flowers on separate trees; only female trees bear the distinctive bright red berries that provide so much color at Christmastime. Berries provide food for birds and other wildlife. Yellow Poplar Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip-shaped leaves and large, greenish, tulip-shaped flowers give the tree its common name of "tulip tree." One of the most important southern hardwoods. Very versatile wood, excellent for furniture. Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis One of our most beautiful native ornamental small trees. The pea-like pink flowers appear before the leaves or just as they are unfolding. One of the first trees to flower in early spring. Also known as Judas-tree. Black Walnut Juglans nigra Hard, heavy, strong wood, easily worked; one of our most valuable trees. The cradles that rocked our pioneering forefathers were almost always made of black walnut. Principal wood used in gun stocks. Used in fine furniture. Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata Young trees have smooth bark becoming furrowed and shaggy as the tree grows larger. Frequently the shaggy strips of gray bark, a foot or more long and 6 to 8 inches wide, are loose and curling at both ends. Mockernut Hickory Carya tomentosa Wood noted for its hardness, toughness, resilience and ability to stand sudden shocks. Excellent for axe and hammer handles. Fragrant leaflets densely hairy along the midrib. Favorite wood in the smokehouse. Pignut Hickory Carya glabra Dark gray, shallow-fissured, narrow-ridged bark having a diamond-shaped pattern. The kernel of the nut is small and usually bitter. The mission of Clemson University's Department of Horticulture is to promote personal and professional growth through the discovery, communication, and application of horticultural experiences, knowledge, and scholarship. Our work fosters environmental stewardship while improving economic wellbeing, health, and quality of life for all. |
| Designed by Sarah Matzko |
Horticulture Department
College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences Information: 864-656-6355 FAX: 864-656-4960 Department of Horticulture E-143 Poole Agricultural Center Box 340319 (Street Address: 50 Cherry Rd.) Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina 29634-0319 Linda D. Alexander, Department Webmaster ( lalxndr@clemson.edu) |