Trees of Indian River Park

Whether you go to Indian River Park for an adventure or to relax, the park offers miles of trails for you to enjoy.   A new nature trail has been opened in the park, starting from the parking area located at Rokeby Ave. and Main St., located south of Military Highway.   

As you walk along this nature trail, you will discover a century old forest conserving a variety of native trees, shrubs, and plants.  The forest is home to many different kinds of fish, insects, amphibians, birds and mammals.  It provides them with food, shelter, and pathways to migrate from one area to another.  

Wildlife Sightings                    Park Info

Trees marked along Nature Trail in Indian River Park

1.               Ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana)
- Smooth, fluted trunk, very hard wood
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/carpinus-caroliniana/

2.                   Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
- Larva food for Zebra swallowtail butterflies
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/asimina-triloba/

3.              Sweetleaf  (Symplocos tinctora)
- Has cluster of creamy yellow flowers in early spring
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/symplocos-tinctoria/

4.               Shagbark Hickory (Carya Ovata)

- Nuts popular with squirrels
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/carya-ovata/

5.               Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboretum)
- Flowers attract bees and butterflies
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/oxydendrum-arboreum/

6.                  Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
- Attracts hummingbirds, birds, and squirrels, host plant for swallowtail butterflies
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/liriodendron-tulipifera/

7.                   Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
- Flowers best when in light shade
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/cornus-florida/

8.              Allegheny Chinkapin  (Castanea pumila)

- Native Americans used infusion of leaves to relieve headaches and fevers
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/castanea-pumila/

9.                   Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
- Known for its spiny “gum ball” fruit
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/liquidambar-styraciflua/

10.               Swamp Chestnut Oak (Quercus michauxii)
- Larval food for duskywing butterfly
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/quercus-michauxii/

11.                   Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
- Naturally occurs in low wet sites
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/acer-rubrum/

22.               Sassafras (Sassafras albidum )
- Known for tea made from its root bark
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/sassafras-albidum/

13.               White Oak (Quercus alba)
- Grows up to 100’ tall; known for strong, close grained wood
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/quercus-alba/

14.               Sand Hickory (Carya pallida)
- Prefers sandy, upland soils
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=379

15.               Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
- Native Americans and early settlers used extract from plant to treat inflammations
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/hamamelis-virginiana/

16.                  American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
- Slow growing giant, can reach 80’ in height
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/fagus-grandifolia/

17.                  Sweetbay Magnolia  (Magnolia virginiana)
- Fruit attracts birds, larval food for swallowtail butterflies
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/magnolia-virginiana/

18.              Bald Cypress  (Taxodium distichum)
- Develops knees at base when grown in or near water
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/taxodium-distichum/

19.               Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica)
- Fruit attracts birds, honey plant for bees
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/nyssa-sylvatica/

20.               Atlantic Whitecedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
- Actually a Cypress tree, not a Cedar
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/chamaecyparis-thyoides/

21.               Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia)
- Flagrant spires of white flowers in summer
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=279

22.              American Elm  (Ulmus Americana)
- Grows in rich,  moist bottomlands
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/ulmus-americana/

23.                   Devil’s Walkingstick (Aralia spinosa)
- Fruit attracts birds, flowers attract bees and butterflies
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/aralia-spinosa/

Other Native Trees in Indian River Park not marked on the trail

·         Loblolly Pine  (Pinus taeda)
- Most rapidly growing pine
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/pinus-taeda/

·          Water Oak  (Quercus Nigra)
- Large shade tree
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/quercus-nigra/

·         Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda)
- Bark resembles Black Cherry tree, hence the name
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=336

·         Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
- Grows more rapidly than some other oaks
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/quercus-rubra/

·         Black Oak (Quercus velutina)
- Grows to 80’ tall
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=39

·         Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcate)
- Can be confused with Cherrybark Oak
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/quercus-falcata/

·        Winged Sumac (Rhus capallina)
- Easy to identify by the “wings” on the leaf stem between leaflets
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=79

·         Swamp Bay (Persea palustris)
- Medium sized evergreen
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus2/factsheet.cfm?ID=804

·        Sycamore (Plantanus occidentalis)
- Grows along flood plains and can develop massive trunks with mottled bark
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/platanus-occidentalis/

·         Red Mulberry (Morus rubra)
- Grows in rich bottomlands; popular edible berries
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=58

·         Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
- Naturally occurs south of Virginia, naturalized in Tidewater region
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/magnolia-grandiflora/

·        Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
- Threatened by Emerald Ash Borer
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/fraxinus-pennsylvanica/

·         Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
- Commonly found in bottomlands, tasty nuts
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/juglans-nigra/

·          Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
- Large globular, orange fruit, sweet and juicy when fully ripe
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/diospyros-virginiana/

·         Mockernut Hickory (Carya tomentosa)
- Nuts used by a wide variety of wildlife
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/carya-tomentosa/

·         Hazel Alder  (Alnus serrulata)
- Shrub or small tree
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/alnus-serrulata/

·         Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)
- Good dependable tree, attracts birds
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/juniperus-virginiana/

 ·          Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
- Reddish black berries attract birds in summer
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trees/prunus-serotina/

 ·          Virginia Willow (Itea Virginica)
- Found on streambanks and wet pine barrens
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/itea-virginica/

 ·         Americian Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
- Flowers are followed by a purple-black drupe in late summer to fall
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sambucus-canadensis/

 ·          Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
- Typically grows 15 to 25 feet tall but can reach heights of 40 feet
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/amelanchier-arborea/