Field Guide

Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results
Illustration of tulip tree leaves, flowers, fruit
Tulip Tree (Yellow Poplar)
Liriodendron tulipifera
Though it only occurs naturally in the southeastern part of Missouri, the stately tulip tree is planted widely in lawns, parks, and cemeteries. The distinctive leaves and tulip-shaped flowers make it easy to identify.
Illustration of common alder leaves, flowers, fruits.
Common Alder
Alnus serrulata
Common alder is a good plant to know. The dried female catkins look like tiny pinecones.
Illustration of sandbar willow small branch with leaves.
Sandbar Willow
Salix interior (formerly S. exigua)
Identify sandbar willow by its very narrow leaves with widely spaced, slender teeth along the margins. This is a good soil binder and bank stabilizer; it prevents washing and erosion of alluvial soil.
Illustration of meadow willow leaves, flowers, fruits.
Meadow Willow
Salix petiolaris
A clumped shrub that grows naturally only in the northeastern part of Missouri, meadow willow lives in low, wet ground in mud or sandy gravel along streams and in wet meadows. Rare in our state, it is perhaps best identified by examining the leaves.
Illustration of corkwood leaves and fruits.
Corkwood
Leitneria floridana
Corkwood is a rare and unusual small tree that doesn’t have a problem with having its feet wet for long periods of time, but it grows rarer as its swampy habitat is converted to cropland.
Illustration of Ashe’s juniper needles, twig, fruits, with inset showing overall shape of plant
Ashe's Juniper (Ashe Juniper)
Juniperus ashei
In Missouri, Ashe’s juniper is uncommon and only found in a few southwestern counties; our populations represent the northeastern tip of its range. Here, it is much less widespread than its close relative eastern red cedar.
See Also

About Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines in Missouri

There are no sharp dividing lines between trees, shrubs, and woody vines, or even between woody and nonwoody plants. “Wood” is a type of tissue made of cellulose and lignin that many plants develop as they mature — whether they are “woody” or not. Trees are woody plants over 13 feet tall with a single trunk. Shrubs are less than 13 feet tall, with multiple stems. Vines require support or else sprawl over the ground.