Plants

Trees

Trees are a vital part of Fort McHenry's natural envrionment. Explore the list all of the tree species that can be found on the grounds of the park.

Leaves of an American Elm.

Maryland Biodiversity Project

American Elm

Ulmus americana

This tree is native to the Baltimore area and has long dark green double serrated leaves with a smooth top and a curved point. Flowers bloom in a small greenish yellow color with hints of red that hang downward. When these trees are fully grown, they can reach up to 80 feet tall. A fun fact about the American Elm, the root system are almost like a large set of wires under the ground. These root systems can communicate with other trees in the area through these root systems.

 

Leaves and berries of an American Holly tree.

NPS

American Holly

llex opaca

The American holly is an evergreen tree with spine tipped leaves. The female American Holly will be seen having small, bright red berries. These trees can grow up to 50 feeet tall in some locations around the east coast.

 

Leaves of an American Linden.

Maryland Biodiversity Project

American Linden

Tilia americana

A tree that is native to the Baltimore area, this tree can grow up to 80 feet at full growth. The leaves are identifiable by their heart shaped, dark green leaves. You may smell these leaves as you walk by the tree as they have a fairly fragrant smell.

Trunk of an American Sycamore in the winter.

Maryland Biodiversity Project

American Sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

The American sycamore is native to the Eastern United States, and is one of the more "well known" trees in the region. When fully grown these trees can grow up to 100 feet with a trunk diameter of 10 feet. The sycamore will produce small clustering flowers in the spring, giving way to the distinctive, large rigid leaves. In the fall you will see small fruits which are used for the repopulation effort of the tree.

Blooming Crab Apple grove at Fort McHenry.

NPS

Crab Apple Trees

Malus domestica

The Crab Apple Trees line the walkway adjacent to the Orpheus statue en route to the sea wall trail, and were planted in memory of many different individuals. These trees produce small red, dense fruits that are untouched by wildlife year round. The tree posesses oval shaped leaves with serrated edges, Green or Purplish colored leaves, Pink Red or White flowers during blooming season

East Cherry Blossom grove during peak bloom.

NPS

Cherry Blossom Trees

Styphnolobium japonicum

This tree can be seen in bloom during the spring, and is a small scale version of the cherry blossoms that are seen in Washington D.C.! This tree has long oval shaped leaves with a rounded base with pink, white, or red flowers when in bloom.

Three Lombardy Poplar trees standing outside the historic star fort.

NPS/ Tim Ervin

Lombardy Poplars

Populus nigra

With a strongly columnar shape these trees aren’t hard to miss. Their leaves come in a wide heart shape with green on the tops and silver on the bottom turning yellow in the fall. These are some of the older trees in the park, as they are seen in most depictions from the time period surrounding the War of 1812.

Leaf of a Scarlet Oak tree.

Maryland Biodiversity Project

Scarlet Oak Trees

Quercus coccinea

A fast growing tree that is native to the area, and can grow up to 80 feet tall. The leaves are a glossy deep green on the top and a paler green at the bottom but, can be scarlet in the fall seasons.

Leaves of a Silver Maple tree.

Maryland Biodiversity Project

Silver Maple

Acer saccharinum

The Silver Maple's name comes from the five point leaves with a gollsy, silvery underside. Blooming for these trees can be from March to June but can be as early as February.

Leaf of a Sweet Gum tree with spiky round fruit.

Maryland Biodiversity Project

Sweet Gum

Liquidamber styraciflua

The Sweet Gum has glossy green star shaped leaves that bloom anywhere between March and May. Something intersting about this tree is that the leaves will stay on the tree for the longest in comparison to many other trees in the area.

Eastern White Pine

Maryland Biodiversity Project

Eastern White Pine

Pinus strobus

The Eastern White pine is one of the most common trees in the area, and can be seen all over the Eastern United States. Unlike leaves, the White pine have soft, long needles that wave in the breeze. These trees also hold long cylindrical pinecones that release seeds.

Leaves of a Willow Oak tree.

Maryland Biodiversity Project

Willow Oak

Quercus phellos

These trees have spear shaped leaves with little bristles on the tips. Usually green but in fall they change to yellow, brown, orange and red. The Willow Oak will bloomin early spring and have a long span of green leaves before they fall.