Welcome to the Marie Murphy Tree Walk!
Follow the numbered signs (#1-12) along the route to discover twelve tree species found on our school grounds. At each stop, scan the QR code to hear audio recordings narrated by Marie Murphy students and alumni and learn fascinating facts about each tree.
This project is dedicated to the Marie Murphy science teachers, especially Mr. Persino and Mr. Gravagna, as well as the Science Olympiad volunteer coaches and supporters, and the many staff members who have helped Science Olympiad thrive over the years. Their selfless dedication, mentorship, generosity, and passion for science have inspired countless students to explore, question, and appreciate the world around them.
Happy exploring!
1. Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)
Click above to hear about the Swamp White Oak!
The Swamp White Oak
is a medium-sized North American deciduous tree in the beech family,
typically growing 60-80 feet tall with trunks up to 3 feet wide and a
broad, irregular crown. In Illinois, it thrives in central and
northwestern lowland forests with wet soils. Its 4-7 inch leaves grow
alternately and feature rounded lobes and large teeth, appearing dark
green and glossy above with pale, slightly hairy undersides. Fall color
ranges from brown and yellow-brown to reddish tones. In spring, separate
yellow-green male and female catkins bloom on the same tree shortly
after leaves emerge. Bark starts light brown or gray, later darkening
into flaky, fissured plates. Its long, pale brown acorns have fringed
caps covering about one-third of the nut; the sweet acorns provide
valuable nutrition for wildlife. The hard, heavy wood serves for fuel
and cabinetry, while the Iroquois traditionally used the tree
medicinally to treat cholera, broken bones, and tuberculosis.
2. Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)
Click above to hear about the Blue Spruce!
The
Blue Spruce is a medium- to large-sized evergreen tree in the pine
family that can live for up to 600 years (older than the USA!). It
is native to streams, mountain valleys, and cool slopes in the western
United States. Most blue spruces grow 50-75 feet tall and develop a
dense, pyramid-shaped crown. Its stiff, sharp needles are four-sided and
grow individually around the twig. Unlike deciduous trees, the needles
stay on the tree year-round, allowing it to continue making food through
photosynthesis in every season. In spring, separate male and female
cones grow on the same tree. The small male cones range from yellow to
reddish-purple and release pollen, while the reddish female cones mature
into tan, hanging cones with smooth scales that release winged seeds
carried by the wind. Young trees have smooth gray bark, but older trees
develop thicker bark with rough, scaly ridges that help protect them
from weather and injury. The needles attach to small woody pegs called
sterigmata, which make spruce twigs feel rough to the touch, unlike the
smooth twigs of fir trees. Blue spruce is the state tree of Colorado and
provides year-round shelter for birds and small mammals. Its seeds are
eaten by wildlife such as chickadees, nuthatches, and squirrels. Because
it is hardy and tolerates cold weather well, blue spruce is often
planted as a windbreak, to help prevent erosion, and as an ornamental
landscape tree.
3. Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
Click above to hear about the Norway Spruce!
The Norway Spruce is a large evergreen tree in the pine family native to the cool forests and mountain regions of northern and central Europe. It was brought to North America during the 1800s and became popular because it grows quickly and adapts well to different conditions. Mature trees often reach 60-100 feet tall and develop a broad, pyramid-shaped crown with branches that droop downward, giving older trees a graceful, cascading appearance. Its needles are dark green, glossy, four-sided, and grow individually around the twig. Because the Norway Spruce is monoecious, separate male and female cones form on the same tree. The reddish male cones release pollen, while the female cones mature into light brown, hanging cones that can grow 4-7 inches long, making them some of the largest cones of any commonly planted spruce. Young bark is gray-brown and fairly smooth, becoming darker and breaking into thin, flaky plates as the tree ages, often revealing reddish-brown bark underneath. Like other spruces, the needles are attached to small woody pegs that leave the twigs rough after the needles fall. The tree's dense branches provide shelter and nesting sites for birds, while its seeds are eaten by finches, squirrels, and other wildlife. One bird called the crossbill has a uniquely crossed beak that acts like a tiny tool, allowing it to pry open spruce cones and reach seeds that most other birds cannot access. Norway spruce wood has long been used for building materials and is especially valued for making pianos, violins, guitars, and other musical instruments.
The Norway Maple is a large deciduous tree in the maple family native to northern and central Europe and western Asia. It typically grows 40-60 feet tall and develops a broad, rounded crown. Its leaves grow in opposite pairs along the twig and are among the largest of the commonly planted maples, often measuring 4-7 inches across, growing wider than an adult’s hand! Each leaf has five to seven pointed lobes and a thick, leathery texture that helps it withstand heat and drought. In spring, clusters of small yellow-green flowers bloom before the leaves fully emerge, providing an early source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects. Young bark is gray and relatively smooth, becoming darker and developing shallow ridges and furrows as the tree ages. Its dense canopy provides abundant shade, while its flowers support pollinators early in the growing season. Introduced to North America in the mid-1700s, Norway maple has become one of the most widely planted maple species because of its adaptability and ability to thrive in a variety of growing conditions. Many Norway maples planted in neighborhoods today are descendants of trees brought from Europe more than 250 years ago!
5. Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
Click above to hear about the Eastern Cottonwood!
The Eastern Cottonwood is a large deciduous tree in the willow family native to much of North America, especially along rivers, streams, and floodplains. It is one of the fastest-growing native trees and can reach 70-100 feet tall, with some exceptional trees growing even larger. Mature trees develop a broad, open crown and thick trunk. Its leaves grow alternately along the twig and are triangular to heart-shaped with finely toothed edges. The shiny green leaves are attached to flattened stems, causing them to flutter and shimmer in even the slightest breeze. Because cottonwoods are dioecious, male and female flowers called catkins grow on different trees. Female trees produce cottony seeds that are carried by the wind in late spring and early summer, giving the tree its common name. The sticky buds of Eastern Cottonwood contain a fragrant resin that helps protect new leaves as they develop in spring. Young bark is smooth and yellow-green to gray, becoming thick, deeply furrowed, and rough as the tree ages. Eastern cottonwoods provide important habitat for birds such as bald eagles and great blue heron, mammals, and insects, while their extensive root systems help stabilize riverbanks and reduce erosion. Because of their rapid growth, they are often among the first trees to colonize disturbed areas and play an important role in restoring natural ecosystems.
6. Toringo Crabapple (Malus toringo)
Click above to hear about the Toringo Crabapple!
The Toringo Crabapple is a small deciduous tree in the rose family native to eastern Asia, including Japan, Korea, and parts of China. During the late 1800s, it was introduced to the United States as part of the growing interest in Asian ornament plants. It typically grows 15-25 feet tall and develops a broad, rounded crown with spreading branches. Its leaves grow alternately along the twig and are small, glossy green, and often deeply lobed, giving them a distinctive appearance unlike many other crabapples. In spring, the tree becomes covered with fragrant white flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. These flowers are followed by small red to yellow crabapples that persist into fall and sometimes winter, functioning as a food source during the colder months for animals. Although the fruits are too tart for most people to eat fresh, they can be used to make jelly and jam. Young bark is smooth and gray-brown, gradually becoming slightly rougher with age. Because of its attractive flowers, colorful fruit, and compact size, Toringo crabapple is commonly planted in gardens, parks, and landscapes.
7. Common Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
Click above to hear about the Common Serviceberry!
The Common Serviceberry is a small deciduous tree in the rose family native to eastern and central North America. It typically grows 15-25 feet tall and develops a rounded crown with multiple stems or a single trunk. Its leaves grow alternately along the twig and are oval-shaped with finely toothed edges, emerging with a soft, fuzzy texture before turning dark green in summer. One of the first trees to bloom in spring, serviceberry produces clusters of delicate white flowers before or just as the leaves emerge. These flowers are an important early food source for bees and other pollinators. By early summer, the flowers develop into small berry-like fruits that ripen from red to dark purple. The sweet fruits are edible and are enjoyed by people as well as birds, squirrels, and other wildlife. Young bark is smooth and gray, often marked by subtle vertical stripes, becoming slightly rougher as the tree ages. In autumn, the leaves turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. Because it provides flowers, fruit, and fall color, serviceberry is considered one of the most valuable native trees for supporting wildlife throughout the year.
8. American Elm (Ulmus americana)
Click above to hear about the American Elm!
The American Elm is a large deciduous tree in the elm family native to eastern and central North America. Mature trees commonly reach 60-100 feet tall and can live for well over a century. In early spring, clusters of small reddish-green flowers appear before the leaves emerge, making American elm one of the first native trees to flower each year. These flowers develop into flat, circular winged seeds called samaras that ripen in late spring and are dispersed by the wind. A healthy elm tree can live for more than 200 years and produce hundreds of thousands of seeds each spring. Young bark is gray and relatively smooth, becoming dark gray-brown and deeply ridged as the tree ages. The tree provides food and habitat for a wide variety of birds, mammals, and insects, while its large canopy helps cool parks, neighborhoods, and natural areas during the summer months. One famous American elm called the Liberty Tree became a symbol of American independence before the Revolutionary War. Although American Elm populations declined dramatically during the twentieth century due to Dutch elm disease - a fungal disease spread by beetles that clogs the tree’s vascular system, preventing water and nutrients from reaching branches and leaves - disease-resistant varieties are helping restore this iconic native tree to landscapes across North America.
The Silver Maple is a large deciduous tree in the maple family native to eastern and central North America. It is one of the fastest-growing native trees and commonly reaches 50-80 feet tall, developing a broad crown supported by long, arching branches. Its leaves grow in opposite pairs along the twig and feature five deeply cut lobes that give them a delicate, lacy appearance compared to many other maples. In early spring, clusters of small red flowers bloom before the leaves emerge, making silver maple one of the first native trees to flower each year. These flowers develop into paired winged seeds called samaras. Young bark is smooth and gray, gradually becoming darker and breaking into long, shaggy strips as the tree ages. Silver Maple is considered a pioneer tree, helping forests recover after floods and other natural disturbances, as one of the first species to grow in disturbed areas. Silver maple's extensive root system helps stabilize soil and reduce erosion, while its rapid growth allows it to quickly colonize disturbed areas. Because of its size, adaptability, and broad canopy, it has long been valued as a shade tree throughout much of North America.
10. Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
Click above to hear about the Kentucky Coffeetree!
The Kentucky Coffeetree is a large deciduous tree in the bean family native to the Midwest and eastern United States. Mature trees typically grow 60-75 feet tall and develop an open, irregular crown supported by thick, sturdy branches. Its leaves emerge later in spring than those of many other trees and often drop earlier in fall, allowing more sunlight to reach the ground beneath it. In late spring, clusters of small greenish-white flowers bloom, with male and female flowers usually growing on separate trees. Female trees produce thick, dark brown seed pods that often remain on the branches throughout winter, making them easy to spot after the leaves have fallen. Young bark is gray and slightly scaly, becoming darker and deeply ridged as the tree ages. Kentucky coffeetree is highly tolerant of drought, air pollution, and poor soils, allowing it to thrive in cities as well as natural habitats. Its scientific name Gymnocladus dioicus, means “naked branch”, referring to the tree’s bare appearance much of the year. Additionally, it is called Kentucky Coffeetree because early settlers used its roasted seeds as a coffee substitute when coffee beans were scarce. Because of its unique branching pattern, rugged bark, and ability to grow under challenging conditions, it is considered one of the most distinctive native trees of the Midwest.
11. Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra)
Click above to hear about the Ohio Buckeye!
The Ohio Buckeye is a medium-sized deciduous tree in the soapberry family native to the Midwest and eastern United States. It typically grows 20-40 feet tall and develops a dense, rounded crown. One of the first trees to leaf out in spring, it provides an early source of shade and seasonal color. After flowering, the tree produces round green fruits covered with short spines that split open in autumn to reveal one or more glossy brown seeds inside. Young bark is gray and relatively smooth, becoming darker, rougher, and more deeply ridged as the tree ages. Its flowers attract bees and other pollinators, while squirrels occasionally gather the seeds. Ohio buckeye is the state tree of Ohio and has become an important symbol of the region, including Ohioans to carry buckeye seeds for good luck. Although real buckeye seeds are poisonous, they inspired Ohio’s famous Buckeye Candy - a peanut butter and chocolate treat made to look just like the shiny brown seed. Because of its attractive spring blooms, interesting fruits, and distinctive growth form, it remains a popular tree in parks, gardens, and natural areas throughout its native range.
The Honey Locust is a large deciduous tree in the bean family native to central and eastern North America. It commonly grows 50-80 feet tall and develops a broad, spreading crown with strong arching branches. Its leaves grow alternately along the twig and may be once or doubly compound, giving the tree a finely textured appearance. In late spring, small greenish-yellow flowers bloom and attract bees and other pollinating insects. These flowers are followed by seed pods produced on female trees. Young bark is gray-brown and relatively smooth, becoming darker and developing deep ridges and furrows as the tree matures. Honey locust provides food and habitat for many species of wildlife, including insects, birds, and small mammals. The flowers are also an important nectar source for bees and other pollinators. Because it tolerates drought, road salt, air pollution, and compacted soils, it is commonly planted along streets, in parks, and throughout urban landscapes. Its adaptability and graceful branching structure have made it one of the most widely planted shade trees in North America.