Poplar Tree

The Poplar tree is one of the most attractive and tallest of eastern hardwoods. It is fast growing and may reach 300 years of age on deep, rich, well-drained soils of forest coves and lower mountain slopes.

Uses: The wood has high commercial value because of its versatility and as a substitute for increasingly scarce softwoods in furniture and framing construction. Yellow-poplar is also valued as a honey tree, a source of wildlife food, and a shade tree for large areas.

Basswood Tree

The Basswood tree is a medium sized, rapidly growing tree of the eastern hardwood forests. It is most commonly 40-50 feet tall but is capable of growing to 100 feet and develops a thick trunk. An important timber tree, the soft and light wood has many uses in wood products. The tree is also a valuable wildlife tree providing nectar for bees, browse for deer, and seed for small mammals.

While Basswood is nitrogen demanding and grows poorly on deficient soils, it is useful in brining calcium and magnesium up from deep in the soil profile and redepositing it in leaf litter. The common name is from "bastwood," referring to the many uses of the inner bark by Native Americans. The tree is pyramidal when young but develops an upright, oval canopy atop a tall, straight trunk.