Ground Truth

Explore an area and construct a map

Boxelder (Maple)
Average Height: 30-60
Habitat: Found in most central
states, found commonly along
streams, roads, and fields as
well
Random Fact: The Boxelder is
usually short lived, usually living
for 60, to 100 years at most, but
grow fast for its first 15 - 20
years.

Acer negundo

Apple
Average Height: 30-40
Habitat: Prefers moist soils
usually near homes, fence
lines, roadsides, and
clearings
Random Fact: Pilgrims
planted the first apple tree in
the United States in the
Massachusetts Bay Colony

Malus pumila

Shagbark Hickory
Average Height: 70-100
Habitat: Prefers moist soils of
valleys, and upland slopes
Random Fact: Shagbark
hickory can also be identified
by its dark reddish brown
twigs that have orange
lenticels which war small
holes through which gases
are exchanged.

Carya ovata

American Elm
Average Height: 80-100
Habitat: Commonly found in
places with moist soil, especially
valleys and flood plains
Random Fact: American elms
used to be able to survive for
around 200 years until the Dutch
elm disease spread shortly after
1930, and now elms are known to
live for roughly 30 years

Ulnus americana

Hackberry
Average Height: 50-90
Habitat: Commonly found in river
valleys, also can be spotted on
upland slopes and bluffs as well
Random Fact: Although
hackberry trees are susceptible
to fire damage, they can
regenerate quickly following a fire

Celtis occidentalis

Black Cherry

Prunus Serotina

Average Height: 50-60

Habitat: found in Eastern US, found in soil banks, forests, alongside roads
Random fact: this tree has very dark flakey bark, and can form black knots on its
trunk

Walnut

Juglans nigra

Average Height: 100-130

Habitat: found in Eastern North America and Europe, forest edges, along road
sides
Random Fact: the fruit/nut produced is a drupaceous nut and are nutrient dense
with protein and essential fatty acids

Cottonwood

Populus section Aigeiros

Average Height: 60-135

Habitat: found in the US and Canada, grow best in wet river banks
Random Fact: leaves are similar to those of aspen and poplar trees

Mulberry

Morus nigra

Average Height: 30-80

Habitat: need well-drained soil and full sun; North America, Asia and Africa
Random Fact: the berry produced becomes sweeter after it ripens and turns dark
purple

Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa

Average Height: 100-130

Habitat: prefers to grow in the open, away from the forest canopy; found in North
America
Random Fact: state tree of Iowa

Honeysuckle

Invasive Species
Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
Out-competes native plants for nutrients, light, and moisture
Degrades wildlife habitat
Threatens the future of forests, wetlands, prairies, and other
natural habitats
Contributes to erosion by shading out other plants that grow
on the forest floor

(Lonicera tartarica, L. morrowii, L. x bella)

Exotic honeysuckle replace native forest shrubs and
herbaceous plants by their invasive nature and early leaf-out.
They shade out herbaceous ground cover and deplete soil
moisture.
Seeds are readily dispersed by birds.
Some research suggests that the plant inhibits the growth of
other plants in its vicinity.
Introduced to North America as ornamental shrubs and
beneficial to wildlife. Commercial propagation continues with
many cultivars available from nurseries

Virginia Creeper

Poison Ivy

Ground Truth: Key Quote

Thus, he who owns a veteran bur oak

owns more than a tree. He owns a
historical library, and a reserved seat in
the theater of evolution (page 30 of A
Sand County Almanac)

Land Ethic/Value Question:

What can students discover about their surroundings through unguided
exploration?
Students can discover things they never knew existed. When you are exploring
nature, not having to worry about where you are going and if you are getting
lost, you are able to focus on the things you do not usually notice. You are able
to really see nature and appreciate its beauty. Not only can you take time to
appreciate what is all around you, but you are able to learn and discover so
much more. You can see the way snow falls and lands on the tree branches,
the way the path winds along the stream, the way the birds sing high up in the
trees. The possibilities are endless, there is so much to be observed by anyone
who explore nature/surroundings through unguided exploration.