The Mid-South has a lot of exquisite trees. In fact, it’s a fairly wide variety! But which ones are especially key to our environment here, and how do they work? Well, Red’s Tree Service can certainly help answer these questions and help you identify some of your favorite local trees in the Midsouth.
Magnolia Trees
A staple of the south, the Southern Magnolia is made up of richly shiny, dark green leaves—and iconic, fragrant ivory blooms. In the autumn, they bear cones covered in bright red seeds that almost smell of cinnamon. The Southern Magnolia has a few interesting subspecies—like the ‘Charles Dickens’ or the ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty.’ But they have a more colorful counterpart called saucer magnolia, which is made up of hundreds of lovely pink, purple, and white flowers. They are also called a tulip tree.
Tulip Poplar
The tulip poplar tree boasts a unique four-tipped leaf and even more exotic blooms in May and June. The colorful yellow flower attracts a number of creatures, particularly bees and hummingbirds. They are our state tree here in Tennessee, a title they also share with Kentucky and Indiana. It is also one of the most popular American trees grown in England and France.
Willow Oak Tree
When you imagine a massive, thick-trunked tree in a neighborhood, you’re likely picturing an oak tree. These guys tend to stick around longer than most. This is one variety with leaves that are slightly different from a traditional oak, as they tend to be quite thin and straight. Their primary role is as a shade tree, for they can grow almost as wide as they do tall! Like almost every oak, they do have acorns as well.
Southern Red Oak Tree
There are a few other varieties of oak you might encounter in our region, one of them being the red oak variety. The Southern Red Oak is your more traditional type, with absolutely massive branches and leaves with around 8 tips. They can be hazardous in stormy weather, as large limbs are prone to falling in high winds and lightning storms. This is a good example of a time when Red’s can be of service! But for the most part, they are lovely shade trees.
Ginkgo Tree
One of the oldest trees in the world, the ginkgo is quite distinctive. It is also a living fossil and originated in China. The unique, fan-like leaves grow in a linear pattern on branches and turn a vibrant yellow come fall. In fact, they’ll often leave a blanket of yellow behind! They are often found on college campuses throughout Memphis.
Red Maple Tree
These are the leaves we typically think of come autumn. They turn a fiery red and yellow. The red maple is actually the most common tree in North America and can grow 40-60 feet tall, making them ideal shade trees. But in their southern homes, they are often in wetlands and can be called “swamp maples.” Memphis doesn’t have a great deal of swamps, of course. And yes, these trees do produce maple syrup!
American Elm Tree
These “noble” trees are hugely important in our country’s history and featured just about everywhere! It has lovely bright, serrated leaves and can grow 60-80 feet tall. They are notoriously susceptible to Dutch elm disease, which is not nearly as common as it was in the last century. That being said, if you have an elm that takes a sudden negative turn, you can contact Red’s Tree Service.
Pecan Tree
Native to the Mississippi River Valley, you’ve probably encountered this tree’s distinctive pods on the ground while walking your dog around the town. These trees are resistant to heat, making the south a perfect home for them to thrive! You might have to do a bit of research, but you can in fact harvest some lovely pecans at the right time of year!
Black Walnut Tree
Speaking of nut trees, walnuts are plentiful in Memphis. Their pods are incredibly solid, and kind of look like some kind of fruit! While you can get walnuts from these trees, note that they need to be dried out to be enjoyed in the traditional sense—otherwise, the texture is quite rubbery! Squirrels are notorious for easily chewing through the hard outer shells. In addition to bunches of pods, you can identify these trees by the leaves.
Crepe Myrtle
A popular choice for landscaping and yards in Memphis, the colorful, potentially huge crepe myrtle is a sure sign of warm weather. They thrive in full sun and come in a variety of colors, notably deep, vibrant pink and orchid purple.
Sweetgum Trees
If you grew up in Memphis, you might have been told to avoid “gumballs” with your bare feet as a child playing outside. Surprisingly, the spiky gumballs are actually eaten by a number of animals, including a range of birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. These trees have unique star-shaped leaves that are brilliant in the fall, and can grow up to 100 feet tall.
Sycamore Trees
These are considered the largest deciduous trees in North America. They have a few notable features, one of the main ones being their bark. Sometimes described as a “camo” effect, a lighter inner bark is revealed when the darker exterior bark is removed. But maybe the most common identifier is their seed pods. They are strange, fuzzy little growths that end up being hundreds of delicately bound seeds. If you throw one on the ground, they’ll explode! They grow best in full sun.
White Pine
You might occasionally find these trees in apartment complexes or neighborhoods. There are only six native pines to Tennessee, this one distinguished by its fascicles (or clusters of needles) consisting of groups of five.
Let Red’s Tree Services Meet Your Needs
Now that you have some information on how to identify some of the many trees in the Mid-South, you also have a resource for some folks who can help you care for and maintain them! If you encounter any issues, like storm damage or tree and stump removal, Red’s Tree Services is here to help out! You can reach us on our website or give us a call at (901) 848-5323.