summer – Discover-Nature

Sounds of the Season

It is late summer, heading into fall, and now is the time of year that the afternoons and evenings grow noisier. Some of the loudest species we hear throughout the year are currently active, calling to maintain contact with family members, to warn of impending threats, or to seek mates.

Singing insects are out at all times of the day and night. Crickets, katydids, grasshoppers, and cicadas four insect families active from late afternoon through the nighttime hours. These species all produce calls using a process known as stridulation. The edge at the base of a front wing, called a scraper, is rubbed across the base of the opposite wing, which has a bumpy surface called a file. This movement can produce buzzing or chirping sounds as well as melodic tones.

^{Annual cicada, Neotibicen spp., by Tony Cheng, Sep 2013}

Annual cicadas, Neotibicen spp., are a large insect averaging two inches in size with brown, green, or black bodies and white undersides. Adult males find spots among the branches of trees and woody shrubs where they can hang out and call for a mate. Calls can be heard throughout the day as a loud buzzing for several seconds that slowly fades to silence. Cicadas get louder with warmer temperatures towards late afternoon but cease all calling as dusk settles.

^{Common true katydid, Pterophylla camellifolia, male & female by TJWalker, U of FL}

^{Grey bush cricket, Gryllidae spp., by LHG Creative Photography, Jul 2010}

^{Grasshopper by Peter Miller, Nov 2020}

Katydids, Pterophylla camellifolia, are well-camouflaged with long, green wings that look much like the leaves of the plants they hide in. Despite their appearance, katydids along with crickets, from the family Gryllidae, and grasshoppers, from the family Acrididae, cannot fly. Katydids choose to occupy branches in tall trees, while crickets and grasshoppers prefer lower vegetation, including tall ground cover, from which to call for a mate. These insects will call well into the night on warm summer evenings, but quickly fade away once temperatures start to drop.

^{Common true katydid male, Pterophylla camellifolia, Carter County, MO, OSF-online}

^{Jumping bush cricket, Hapithus saltator, two calling by Daniel Parker, Sep 2023}

Many of these calls are among the loudest made by wildlife. A sound chamber, made by bowing out the wings from the body to create a hollow space, serves to amplify the sound. From the high-pitched melodic notes of the katydid to the chirping of crickets and grasshoppers, these calls can resonate and carry long distances.

^{Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus, by Frank Lambert, Dec 2016}

^{Eastern Screech Owl, Megascops asio, by Paul Driver, Sep 2023}

Against this background, we may also hear night birds, especially owls. In northern Illinois, great horned owls, Bubo virginianus, produces a series of low-pitched hoots to warn off territorial invader, call to a young one, or attract a mate. Eastern screech owl calls, Megascops asio, utter a long trill, lasting three to six seconds. Owl’s calls are easy to recognize and can be heard over long distances, making them an effective method of communication in the dark.

^{Coyote, Canis latrans, by Paul Marvin, Apr 2012}

^{Northern Raccoon, Procyon lotor, by Paul Driver, Sep 2010}

Other sounds that you may hear at night include coyotes, Canis latrans, using yips and barks to maintain contact with other individuals, or by young when begging for food. Long, drawn out howling is used to mark territorial boundaries and is often heard in response to emergency vehicle sirens, which we think are perceived as threats by coyote populations. Raccoons, Procyon lotor, are another species that is very active during the late nighttime hours approaching dawn. If they are close by, you may hear purring or chittering sounds used between adults and their young. Whether alone or in a group, when they are startled, raccoons will aggressively defend themselves and other family members emitting loud barking noises. Screams and growls between fighting individuals are often heard.

Late summer evenings can be quiet and slow or full of noises and events. Taking time to walk or sit quietly in your own backyards and listen can be a rewarding experience. Come to the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum or visit your local nature center to learn more about wild nights in your area.

^{Clockwise: Coyote, Canis latrans, by Paul Marvin, Apr 2012; Eastern screech owl-red morph, Megascops asio, by Laura M, Feb 2023; Great-horned owl, Bubo virginianus, by Don Miller, Jul 2016; Raccoon, Procyon lotor, by Alex ONeal, Aug 2010; Raccoon, Procyon lotor, by Ellya Selhub, Jan 2006}

Greene Valley Trail

As the heat abated a little bit, we decided to take a hike at the DuPage County Greene Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville, Illinois, this past weekend. On the east side, in the central part of the preserve, a 2.25 mile trail loops from the south parking lot to the Southern DuPage County Regional Trail and the Valley Trail. Trails are well-marked, wide limestone paths, with plenty of room for walkers and bicycles.

We found a pleasant, open vista that was great for birdwatchers and prairie enthusiasts alike. The Valley Trail runs alongside the east branch of the DuPage River, which makes it attractive to bird species, although there is no view of the river for hikers. While it was an overcast day making bird identification difficult, we were able to observe those seen below:

^{Birds pictured above in clockwise order: Northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, by Mshake, Getty Images; Red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus, by Robert Jakubowski, Pexels; Song sparrow, Melospiza melodia, by BrianEKushner, Getty Images; Common yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas, by BrianEKushner, Getty Images; Field sparrow, Spizella pusilla, by Mr Jamsey, Getty Images Signature; Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis, by SKHoward, Getty Images Signature}

Vegetation varies greatly, providing good protection for many of the small mammals plus lots of perches for birds. Many plant varieties could be seen and identified without leaving the trails, including those pictured below.

Black raspberry, Rubus occidentalis; Edible in season
Climbing prairie rose, Rosa setigera; Pollinator species for bees
Common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca; Pollinator species supporting more than 450 species of insects
Cup plant, Silphium perfoliatum; Leaf wraps around the stem forming a water holding cup
Eastern Black Walnut, Juglans nigra; It is allelopathic, releasing chemicals from its roots that may give the tree some advantage over its nearest competitors for food and nutrients
Elderberry, Sambucus sp.; Sambucus is Greek for an ancient wind instrument sounding as a whistle
Grey headed coneflower, Ratibida pinnata; Perennial attractive to Butterflies & birds
Hemp dogbane, Apocynum cannabinum; All parts of the plant are toxic, possibly fatal
Joe Pye weed, Eutrochium sp; Considered medicinal by early American cultures
Northern red oak, Quercus rubra; Acorns need a minimum 3-month exposure to near freezing temperatures to germinate
Sumac, Rhus sp.; Prized as a spice from the cashew & mango tree families
Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia; Flowering vine in the grape family
Grey poplar, Populus x canescens; Cross between white poplar and Aspen
Wild bergamot, Monarda fistulosa; Considered medicinal in use as a tea for colds

^{Scroll through pictures above using the left & right arrows}

The area supported plenty of small mammals such as rabbit, shrew, deer, coyote, and both gray and fox squirrels. We saw lots of pollinators including bees, moths, butterflies, and dragonflies. Greene Valley Forest Preserve offers a wide range of hiking trails, a scenic overlook, camping and picnicking facilities, a model airplane field, and many events, including night sky observations throughout the year. Consider catching some of the amazing sights in natural areas near you.

^{Fauna pictured above in clockwise order: Coyote, Canis latrans, by Esteban Arango, pexels; Galls on grape leaves; White-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, by Stefonlinton, Getty Images Signature; White cabbage butterfly, Pieris rapae, by Bejan Adrian, Pexels; Shrew by CreativeNature_nl, Getty Images; Eastern cottontail, Sylvilagus floridanus, by Brian Forsyth, Pexels}

Heat Effects

The midwestern United States is experiencing a heat dome this week. This is the result of a high pressure system hundreds of miles across and moving very slowly. Air in the upper atmosphere of a heat dome is already warm, but is still cooler than the air below, and cooler sir sinks towards the Earth’s surface. As the air moves downward, it compresses air molecules together releasing heat, making the lower layers even hotter and drying out the area as moisture evaporates. With little or no moisture, no clouds form to relieve the heat and dry conditions.

^{Heat Dome over Eastern US by National Weather Service, Jun 26 2025}

Humans have a variety of ways to cope with high heat including being less active, drinking plenty of fluids, and remaining in shady or air-conditioned areas. Wildlife still has to get food and water every day and may have fewer opportunities available to them to avoid the high heat. Let’s look at how the heat is affecting a few of the backyard species common in the Midwest.

^{Photinus pyralis, Big Dipper firefly by Terry Priest}

Fireflies are cold-blooded, or ectothermic, and prefer warm and humid areas. They come out in the early evening and as their bodies warm, they become more active, flying and flashing more frequently, communicating with other fireflies to find a mate. Eggs are laid soon after mating, but these will perish if they do not remain hydrated. Turning off outdoor lighting for a few hours in the evening and maintaining taller, well-watered vegetation will help fireflies during hot and dry conditions.

^{American Toad by Brad Carlson, Mar 2012; and Bullfrog at Waterfall Place by DonArnold, 2022}

Frogs and toads are also ectothermic and require heat from the environment to live. Species worldwide, including American toads and bullfrogs in our area, find temperatures in the 70s to be ideal. As temperatures move into the mid-80s, these species and others are prone to dehydration and heat stress. In addition, they normally look for shady and humid areas to regulate their body temperatures, but the lack of moisture in a heat dome does not make those niches easy to locate. Maintaining shady, well-watered areas of the garden provides refuge for many amphibian species.

^{Cardinal looking to stay in the shade by Don Arnold, 2023}

Birds are often affected by extreme heat. Most birds have lower body temperatures than the outside air. This allows birds to easily dissipate heat from high energy activities, such as flight. Once the outside air gets above a hundred degrees, birds cannot lose heat to the atmosphere and become severely compromised by heat and dehydration. Rapid open-mouthed breathing, changing eating times to early or late in the day, sitting with wings outstretched, or exhibiting poor balance are all signs of heat stress in birds. Providing shady, undisturbed areas and readily available water sources gives birds the opportunity to move around less and stay hydrated.

Wild animals have to deal with weather extremes just as we do. Come to the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum or a nature center near you to learn more about providing opportunities for wildlife to survive heat, drought, and other environmental conditions.

Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum Updates

The Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum will be open all summer, and you can find our current hours or make a reservation by using the QR code below or accessing our website at ben.edu/museum. We continue to create new exhibits and resources for visitors. Many of these resources are highlighted below…

The Discovery Box Loan Program provides specimens and educational materials covering a wide range of species and nature topics. This summer we are updating and adding duplicate boxes for many topics. We are also a repository for IDNR Resource Trunks. New boxes recently added share information on birds and insects.

Nature Rx wellness walks are offered every semester for anyone who would like to learn about and enjoy nature as we find it in the woods and areas around Lake Benedictine on the west side of campus. Come out to enjoy a 45 minute walk, narrated by an Illinois master naturalist, and see what is in bloom or who is inhabiting our woods today!

Nature Doodlers, the museum’s own nature journaling club, meets once a month at the museum at 10:00am on the last Saturday of the month. We have a 30-minute presentation on the monthly topic with time for discussion and practice afterwards. Draw from subject specimens in our collections, or take it outside on campus. A beginner’s nature journaling kit is free for all newcomers, but feel free to bring your own supplies. In June we are exploring plants, leaves, and basic botany, while in July we will be observing insects, arachnids and other arthropods. Come on out to learn, observe, and record your observations.

Next weekend, the museum director and volunteers will be out at the Morton Arboretum’s annual Nature Play for All Weekend. Bring your family out to hike and explore seeds, pond life, art, and more in the Arboretum’s Children’s Garden.

There will be more events coming throughout the year including our annual Life In The Pond turtle day in September and Creepy Critters – a Halloween wildlife celebration in October. More changes are also coming to our website, Discover-Nature.org with additional resource pages and museum information. You can sign up for our bi-monthly blog at https://discover-nature.org/

Hummingbirds

It is getting to the end of summer, and many bird species that winter in Central and South America will soon be starting their migrations. Of the 320 species of hummingbirds, 15 spend the summer breeding in North America, from the Gulf Coast states to southern Canada, before returning to winter habitat farther south. Only one species, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris, breeds east of the Mississippi River.

7 of the 15 hummers that breed in North America:
- Anna’s Hummingbird, Calypte anna, by Alan Scmierer-USFWS, Mar 2007
- Black-chinned Hummingbird, Archilobus alexandri, by Paul Crook-USFWS, Jun 2024
- Blue-throated Hummingbird, Lampornis clemenciae, by Alan Schmierer-USFWS, Jun 2024
- Broad-billed Hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris, by Alan Scmierer-USFWS, Mar 2022
- Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Amazilia yucatanensis, by Alan Scmierer-USFWS, Jan 2010
- Broad-Tailed Hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus, by Tom Koerner-USFWS, Feb 2024
- Allen’s Hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin, by Wendy Miller-USFWS, Jun 2024

Hummingbirds have a very high metabolism with a normal heart rate of 250 beats per minute that accelerates to almost 1250 beats per minute when in flight. They consume large amounts of nectar each day to get enough sugar to support their energy requirements. Several small grooves running the length of their tongue funnel nectar into their throat by capillary action, a force that causes liquid to rise in a small tube without needing to use air to suck the liquid in. They also eat any small invertebrate to fulfill protein, vitamin, and mineral needs. Hummingbirds snatch insects mid-air while in flight, poach them from spider webs, and glean tiny moth caterpillars from new leaves and branch tips. Another foraging method uses the blast of air beneath their powerful wings to roll over leaves on the forest floor, revealing the insect life below.

^{Anna’s hummingbird catching insects by Stan Lupo, Jul 2023}

Hummingbirds do not bond with a mate. Females establish a territory that optimizes the available nectar and offers multiple nest sites. Males establish a territory based on encountering as many females as possible. Both will defend their areas from other hummingbirds, as well as other nectar feeders including butterflies and bees. Daily feeding starts on the outer edge of their territory to chase out any overnight interlopers and ends with nectar sources deep inside the area’s interior. Males will breed with as many females as possible. Females may have more than one brood of eggs each year, either concurrently or one brood following another.

Nests are about 2″ in diameter, built of small twigs, lined with soft plant material, and covered on the outside with greenish-gray lichens. Nests are bound to branches with spider silk, usually in a forest clearing. The lichens provide camouflage by making the nest appear as a large knot when seen from below. Females reach breeding age at the end of their first year, and can breed throughout their lifetimes. They construct one or more nests, each containing two white eggs, the size of peas, which are incubated by only the female for 14 to 16 days. The male takes no part in raising the young birds, coming together with the female only during mating.

^{Allen’s Hummingbird nest, by Mike’s Birds, Mar 2013}

^{Ruby-throated hummingbird on nest with lichen, by Lorie Shaull, Jul 2020}

Hummingbirds found in the western portions of North America travel overland migration routes. However, midwestern and eastern birds fly non-stop over the Gulf Of Mexico. A hummingbird can increase its fat reserves and double its body weight in the 7 to 10 days prior to the overseas trip. Through studies using banded birds, we have learned that they fly alone, normally at night, along with large flocks of other birds. Young birds, making the trip for the first time, can successfully navigate the migration route with no prior training. Their guidance system, how it works, and how it is learned are all still a mystery.

No hummingbird species are listed as endangered. However, hybridization among species is common, and their small size and great speed make them very difficult to count and track. Little data is available about population size changes and movements; however, more birds have been found over-wintering as far north as the Gulf Coast states of North America.

At the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum, we have numerous bird specimens on display, including hummingbirds. We welcome you to come in and learn more about these amazing creatures.

Remaining 8 species that breed in North America:
Calliope Hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope, by Barbara Wheeler-USFWS, Nov 2021
Costa’s Hummingbird, Calypte costae, by Wendy Miller-USFWS, May 2020
Rivoli’s Hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens by Doug Greenberg-USFWS, Aug 2017
Lucifer Hummingbird, Calothorax lucifer, by Jim Gain-USFWS, Mar 2022
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilobus colubris, by Alan Scmierer-USFWS, Jun 2024
Rufous Hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus, USFWS, Jun 2024
Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Amazilia violiceps, by budgora, Mar 2014
White-eared Hummingbird, Basilinna leucotis, by Alan Scmierer-USFWS, Mar 2022

Oak Tree Habitat, pt.1

Oak trees, genus Quercus, have over 400 species worldwide, but almost one-third are threatened with extinction. They are a keystone species, playing a central role in supporting the entire habitat in which they live. They maintain the structure and stability within their ecosystem, substantially affecting the types and abundance of other species. Oaks make up only 2% of plant species, but they directly support more than 30% of all plants and animals.

^{A great oak in Nottingham Forest by Peter Shaw, Getty Images}

Oak trees live from a few decades to several centuries. The Great Oak, Quercus agrifola, a species of Coast Live oak in California, is estimated to be over 2,000 years old. Oaks clean the air by absorbing pollution and sequestering carbon. They provide shelter, food, shade, and help to reduce erosion. Humans get food from the acorns, dyes from the tannin, and wood for construction, ships, and barrels, plus cork for stoppers and oak chips for smoking meat, fish, and cheese.

^{Red oak with new leaves, Quercus rubra, by aleroy4, Getty Images}

^{Oak forest leaf litter in winter by Whiteway, Getty Images Signature}

In spring, tender new leaves containing fresh sap are consumed by a variety of insects. In fall, older leaves will fall to the ground, but are slow to decompose, building up many layers of leaves over time which provide shelter for small woodland ground dwellers and food for decomposers.

^{Branches of red oak with catkins, Quercus rubra,}
^{by anmbph, Getty Images}

^{Texas Red Oak female flowers, Quercus buckleyi by Doug Goldman, USDA-NRCS National Plants Data Team}

Oak trees have both male and female flowers. Male flowers grow in early spring in long clusters hanging from tree limbs. The pollen is a favorite food for a large variety of insects, especially bees. Pollen is released slowly, over several weeks, to be blown by the wind to the female flowers, which appear as tiny, red flowers near the tips of twigs and new shoots. Female flowers are eaten by insects and are a favorite of red and gray squirrels. Oak flowers are one of the earliest food sources for animals in spring, and must be abundant on every tree so that some are able to survive to produce acorns, the seeds of the oak tree.

^{Bur Oak acorns, Quercus macrocarpa; Northern Red Oak acorns, Quercus rubra; Live Oak acorns, Quercus virginiana by Steve Hurst, ARS Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory, USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database;}

In late summer, after pollination, the female flower will produce a large, green nut called an acorn, which will mature in autumn, turn brown, and fall from the tree. Acorns are a nutritious food source for many animals, being high in energy, carbohydrates, and fat. In the eastern U.S., many species are dependent on acorn production, and the amount of available acorns significantly influences population sizes. Some acorns will find suitable ground for sending out a root and starting a new tree, but most will be eaten. Masting, an over-abundance of acorns, occurs every few years. It is thought that masting creates a better chance for new oak trees to grow by overwhelming the animal populations’ need for food. As a secondary result, animal populations may expand immediately following a mast year, only to have higher than normal mortality when food resources return to normal for the following years.

^{Bur Oak bark, Quercus macrocarpa by Herman, D.E., ND State Soil Conservation Committee, USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database}

^{Dead oak log in Bialowieza Forest by Nirian, Getty Images Signature}

Oak roots grow close to the ground’s surface and extend well beyond the circumference of the tree’s crown. A complex network of fungi live on the roots and provide additional nutrients to the tree, keeping both species healthy. As the trees grow and age, roots and bark develop crevices and holes in their surfaces, or chunks may become loose, providing niches for plants and animals to shelter and grow. Exposed wood gradually dies and decays providing even more habitat and food for decomposers and the other wildlife that live on them.

In our next post, we will take a look at some of the many species that oak trees directly and indirectly support with shelter, food, and breeding opportunities.

The Woodlands at the Turning, an Illinois oak savannah, by Justin Kern, Nov 4, 2013

Beat The Heat

This week, the weather has been hot for the upper Midwestern U.S. with temperatures topping out above 100°F. Combined with high dew points in the mid-70s, the heat index temperature was upwards of 110°F. Here are some ways that plants and animals keep cool in the extreme heat.

^{Mojave Desert by LezusRocks, Getty Images}

^{Kit fox at entrance to desert den by Stevelenzphoto, Getty Images}

Desert environments, where hot conditions exist daily, are home to numerous animal species that live underground. Heat from the sun penetrates soils and sand layers for several inches, but at 20″ below the surface of the sand in the Mojave Desert, temperatures are fairly constant around 86°F while the surface may be over 110°F. Few large mammals are known to use burrows, although kit foxes and humans are two examples. Basements and lower levels in buildings are often preferred areas on hotter days.

^{Shaded walk in the woods by Felixmizioznikov, Getty Images}

Shade from trees is highly effective in creating cooler areas. Leaves are lighter in color than most soils and paved areas, and leaves reflect much of the sun’s radiation upwards, away from the shady area underneath. Denser foliage and rough leaf textures enhance the cooling effect. Under a shade tree, temperatures may drop up to ten degrees and other surfaces no longer exposed to direct sunlight, including our skin, may be 20 to 40 degrees cooler.

^{African elephant by Petr Polak, Getty Images: Black-tailed jackrabbit by Rancho_Runner, Getty Images; Fennec fox by Nattanan726, Getty Images}

Vasodilation occurs when blood vessels near the skin’s surface expand so more blood flows next to the skin. Many animals living in hotter climates, including fennec foxes, black-tailed jackrabbits, and African elephants, have large ears with broad, flat surfaces devoid of hair, fur, or other insulation. The ear’s large surface area is covered by a thin layer of skin and blood vessels. During hot weather, heat carried in the blood through the ear is readily lost to the outside environment, providing a cooling effect for the rest of the body.

^{Large crowd by Shaunl, Getty Images Signature}

Evaporative cooling is another method through which heat can be dissipated from a body. Trees use this method by losing water vapor through their leaves during photosynthesis, cooling the air under the leaves. Humans employ this method in a process called sweating. We lose warm water through skin pores directly to the air around us. Sweating also moistens our skin’s surface, indirectly providing additional cooling as air moves across the skins surface and wicks away additional heat. An important aspect enhancing the effectiveness of this method is our posture. Being supported by two legs, rather than four, exposes much less surface area to the direct rays of the sun, and much more surface area to air currents.

^{Forest path by Inga Nielsen, Getty Images}

While sweating is good for cooling, it is removing water from the body, which must be replaced for the process to continue. Exposure to today’s temperature extremes may result in a loss of three gallons of water or more from an average-sized human. As you are out enjoying nature during hot days, remember to keep hydrating to stay cool and keep other bodily systems healthy.

Ash Trees

In the past, ash trees were one of the more common street trees in many urban areas of the United States. However, with the introduction of the Emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis, a member of the beetle family native to Asia, our native ash populations have suffered severe losses.

^{Emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis, by Leah Bauer, USDA FS Northern Research Station, Bugwood.org}

^{Emerald ash borer larva by Oregon Department of Agriculture, Mar 2023}

^{Emerald ash borer damage by John Hritz, Aug 2006}

Ash trees have been a popular “street tree” species for many urban areas. It is estimated that by the late 20th century, 20% of all parkway trees in Chicago were ash species. Green ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, likes moist soils, but grows well in most conditions. White ash, Fraxinus americana, is very similar to green ash, but prefers well-drained sites. Both have furrowed bark appearing as tight rectangular blocks on young trees, but deepening into longer furrows and ridges resembling a diamond-shaped pattern in mature trees. Black ash, Fraxinus nigra, often found on wet sites, is covered with irregular, knobby bumps. All the barks are grayish-brown.

^{Green ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, flowers by DonArnold, Aug 2023}

^{Ash tree samara by Herve Breton, Getty Images}

In spring, ash trees grow small green or purple flowers with no petals. Most are wind pollinated, although several bee species collect the pollen and contribute to some seed development. Flowers appear on both male and female trees, but only female trees develop seeds. Seeds are called samaras, or “helicopter seeds,” due to the distinctive whirling pattern they exhibit as they fall off the tree in a lazy spiral to the ground. The seed is housed in a fully rounded shell at one end of the single wing of each samara.

^{Green ash, pinnately compound leaves by Robert H. Mohlenbrock. 1989, USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute (WSI), Lincoln}

Its pinnately compound leaves are another distinctive feature of the ash family. A compound leaf has a leaf blade divided into leaflets that are attached individually to the middle vein, each by its own stalk. The term pinnately refers to the arrangement of leaves, opposite one another along the middle vein. A terminal leaf, grown at the tip of the vein means there are always an odd number of leaflets, from 5 to 9 leaflets in ash species. Buds and branches also grow in this pattern, which can be observed on rose plants, as well as hickory and walnut trees.

^{White ash trees in autumn color by Cathy McCray, Nov 2016}

White ash is the main source of wood used in commercial applications. It is of medium weight and springy, able to absorb a shock and bounce back. This makes it valuable for bats, tennis rackets, bows and arrow shafts, along with a wide variety of other uses including tool handles, boats, and furniture. The seeds provide a valuable food source for several bird species including quail, duck, and turkey.

^{Green ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, bark by Kerry Woods, Apr 2022}

^{White ash, Fraxinus americana, bark by Virens, Sep 2009}

^{Black ash, Fraxinus nigra , bark by Robert H. Mohlenbrock, 1995, USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute (WSI), Chester}

Although many, many ash trees have been lost to attacks from Emerald ash borers over the past couple decades, a small number of green ash have proven more resistant. They provide great shade for parks, yards, and large areas. In fall, watch as white ash trees turn beautiful shades of gold, deep purple, and maroon. Be sure to make note of them on your walks and check back in a few months to view their spectacular fall displays.

Buttonbush

Over the past several days, there has been a lot of activity in our backyard pollinator garden in the area surrounding the buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis. This native shrub is a multi-stemmed flowering species that can grow from 3′ to more than 12′ tall. It needs lots of sunshine and prefers moist soils. Found in many habitats including sub-tropical swamps, shrub swamps in the northeast and upper Midwest, and southern and northern floodplain forests east of the Mississippi, this species prefers swampy backwater areas, marshes, wet meadow and bogs.

^{Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, whorled leaves by loonyhiker, Oct 2010}

Newer stems are green, but quickly turn dark brown to almost black, becoming scaly with age. Leaves are opposite or whorled around the stem, each one protruding at a slightly different angle than the one above. It is thought that this arrangement provides maximum exposure of the plant’s total leaf surface to the sun.

^{Buttonbush flowers by DonArnold, Jul 2023}

^{Bumblebee on buttonbush by DonArnold, Jul 2023}

The flower clusters appear as small balls between 1/2″ and 1″ in diameter, with over 200 spikes poking outward covering their entire surface. Each spike is actually an individual flower. Flowers are closely grouped together and exude an intense, sweet fragrance. The plant reproduces through a two-stage cycle where pollen is produced and falls onto the immature pistil. As visiting insects brush through the closely grouped flowers, pollen rubs off onto their bodies. Once the pollen is gone, the pistil matures and becomes sticky at the end. As other insects arrive, pollen from other plants is picked up by the sticky end to pollinate the plant.

After pollination is complete, and the flowers drop off the plant, the ball-shaped seedhead turns completely brown. Unless it is brushed off by a passing animal or it is eaten, the seedhead may remain with the plant through the entire winter season, dropping off in spring. Seeds will often disperse into wetland areas, floating to shore. Each seed ball contains two nutlets.

^{Red Admiral butterfly on buttonbush by DonArnold, Jul 2023; Honney bee on buttonbush by DonArnold, Jul 2023; Long-tongued tiger swallowtail on buttonbush by Owen Sholes, Getty Images}

Pollinators include many long-tongued insect species especially bumblebees, honey bees, tiger swallowtail butterflies and black swallowtail butterflies. In addition, over two dozen bird species utilize the shrub for food, shelter, and nest building material – most notably are wood ducks that use the plant’s structure to shelter their young. Amphibians and reptiles hide among clusters of buttonbush in wetland areas for protection during the breeding season. Several honey-producing bee species are attracted to its pollen and nectar.

^{Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, by NC Wetlands, Aug 2018}

With more than a dozen buttonbush species worldwide, it is an easy plant find and get close to for observing its flowers and fruits, as well as the behaviors of the many animal species that frequent this shrub.

Summer Berries

Across the northern hemisphere, as spring moves into summer, animals are able to find more food sources. Amelanchier and mulberry trees are two fruit-bearing plants that are favorites of many bird and mammal species, including humans.

^{Amelanchier trees by Leonora Enking, Apr 2010}

^{Mulberry flower by Sueviews, May 2006}

^{Amelanchier grandiflora flower by Kurt Stuber, 2004}

Amelanchier is a genus of 30 species of pome-bearing fruit trees in the family Rosacea. This family includes several other fruit-bearing trees including apples, pears, and plums. The tree is a favorite for landscapers with its many white flowers covering the tree in early spring and its brilliant hues of red and orange in the autumn. Amelanchier can be a single stem or a multi-stemmed plant and will grow in almost any soil type, but the ideal habitat is partly sunny, well-drained areas of open woodland.

Amelanchier are known by many names. Serviceberry comes from the fact that when the plants are in bloom, the ground is thawed enough to hold funeral services. In the Cree Indian language, it is known as saskatoon, a name still commonly used in western North America. Shadblow, in old English, refers to a time when the bloom indicated the shad were running. Juneberry refers to the time of year when the berries ripen.

^{Amelanchier fruit by Oregon State University, Jul 2013; Immature mulberry fruit by Geo Lightspeed7, Apr 2022; Unripe white mulberries by Petru Dimitriu}

Serviceberry fruit is slightly larger than a blueberry and tastes of blueberry, lightly peppered with strawberry and almonds. The berries are light green when young and gradually grow plump and sweet as they ripen to dark red and purple. They are a favorite of many bird species including robins and cedar waxwings in my area. Fruit is rapidly eaten as soon as it starts to darken, and almost none is left to fully ripen unless the tree is covered with netting.

^{Cardinal eating mulberry by Carolyn Lehrke, Jun 2015}

^{Robin and mulberries by Zone~V, Jan 2016}

Mulberry trees, of the genus Morus, have 64 species worldwide, and are another important summer food source. Red mulberry, Morus rubra, is the only one native to the United States. White mulberry, Morus alba, is native to South Asia but can be found on many continents, and it is considered an invasive in parts of Brazil and the U.S. All species grow quickly when they are young, reaching heights of nearly 80 feet.

Mulberry trees can be easily grown from either seed or a plant cutting. The market for their fruit is worldwide with some places, such as the U.S., importing millions of pounds each year. While easy to grow, establishing a viable crop for market has many difficulties. Trees do not produce fruit for the first ten years, and their highest yields are when the trees are 30-80 years old. The fruit is a favorite of many bird and mammal species, and is often eaten well before it is ripe enough to pick. Leading producers are Turkey and Iran who have been growing mulberries for several centuries.

^{Pick your own mulberry by Katarina, May 2014}

^{Mulberry cobbler by Eden, Janine and Jim, Jun 2021}

^{Mulberry jam by Amanda Slater, Jul 2021}

Plump, juicy, and sweet berries from both plants are high in vitamin C and iron. Fruits can be eaten straight from the trees or used in a variety of recipes. Other parts of these plants contain a milky sap that is mildly toxic to animals and humans if ingested. The wood is hard, tight-grained and heavy, with many of the same qualities as oak. It is used in furniture and fence posts. Historically, it has been used for arrow shafts and body armor. Amelanchier leaves and bark may be dangerous to cattle, sheep, and goats if consumed in large quantities. The white mulberry, Morus alba, is an important tree for the silk industry. The leaves of this species are the only food source for the silkworm, Bombyx mori; its cocoons are used to produce silk.

^{Silkworm, Bombyx mori, on Morus alba by Gorkaazk}

As you walk woodland areas near your home, watch for berry-loaded trees in your neighborhood. Keep track of each time you see them and what stage the berries are in – and how many are left on the tree. See if you can observe and learn more about who is eating this sweet, juicy food source of summer.