Welcome to the
	The Fred Steele Memorial Botany Trail
	Botany Trail
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About Fred Steele

A New Hampshire native, Fred was born and raised in Tamworth and attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard. World War II took him to both European and Pacific theatres with service in the Army's Signal Corps. Following the war, Fred joined the faculty of the White Mountain School in Bethlehem and served as chairman of the Science Department for the majority of his 35 years there. By the time he retired, the school had established an environmental resource center as well as a science prize in his name. Also during this time, Fred and his wife, Mary, raised three sons.

Besides leading numerous field trips for his students and the general public, Fred also actively researched the distribution of plants in New Hampshire and spent much time in the field. He co-authored The Trees and Shrubs of Northern New England (with UNH botany professor Albion Hodgdon) and authored At Timberline: A Nature Guide to the Mountains of the Northeast. An active promoter of the preservation of natural areas, Fred was involved in the protection efforts for Heath Bog in Ossipee, the virgin forest around Nancy Pond and along Nancy Brook, and the alpine areas of the Presidential and Franconia Ranges.

For decades, Fred had an active and close relationship with the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, serving as Vice-President for Sanctuaries and Land Management, producing the first Audubon wildlife sanctuaries guide, drafting a land acquisition policy statement, and leading field trips, particularly to the Alpine Garden on Mount Washington. Fred was also an Audubon trustee, then an honorary trustee, and an active member of the Sanctuary and Land Management Committee until his death. It is hoped that through this botany trail, the inspiration to explore our natural world that he gave to so many will continue to live on.

Pine Family (Pinaceae)

Tamarack or Eastern Larch (Larix laricina)

Adapted for growing in wet, swampy soil at elevations ranging from sea level to 4,000', this tree is seldom more than 50-60' tall with a trunk 18-20" in diameter, but may reach 100' tall with a trunk 2' in diameter. It is intolerant of shade, but grows relatively rapidly in open conditions. It is our only deciduous (drops leaves in autumn) conifer, and by September or October its needles turn golden before they fall off. "Flowers" March-April.

Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)

Though intolerant of shade, White Pine can grow in a variety of soil conditions, thriving in deep, moist sandy loams. The fastest growing northern forest tree, averaging 15-18" per year, it can reach heights of 250' with a trunk diameter of 6' (averages 80-110' tall with a trunk diameter of 2-3'). It may live 200-350 years. One of the most important lumber trees of New Hampshire. "Flowers" May-June.

Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)

Typical of cold climates and well-drained but moist situations, the Balsam Fir grows at elevations ranging from sea level to over 5,600'. It can endure deep shade when young and may grow rapidly to 80-90' in height (averages 25-60') with a trunk diameter of 10-28". It seldom lives more than 150 years. It is our only conifer to bear its mature cones upright on the branch. "Flowers" May-June.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Of ancient origin, the shade-tolerant Hemlock inhabits cool, moist situations and may grow to 160' with a trunk diameter of 6' (averages 60-100' high and 2-4' trunk diameter). It grows relatively slowly, reaching maturity in 250-300 years; it may live for more than 900 years. Most of the great virgin stands of Hemlock were felled not for lumber, but for the rich supply of tannin in the bark. "Flowers" April-May.

Red Spruce (Picea rubens)

Preferring damp and relatively cold situations, Red Spruce grows from sea level to mountaintops, reaching heights of over 100' tall with a trunk diameter of up to 4' (averages 60-80' in height with a trunk diameter up to 2'). Of relatively slow growth, it may take 200 years to reach maturity. "Flowers" May-June.

Waxmyrtle Family (Myricaceae)

Sweet Gale (Myrica gale)

Deciduous (drops leaves in autumn) wetland shrub up to 5' in height. The leaves bear prominent resin dots, at least beneath. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants (dioecious); the female flower (catkin) becomes conelike. Flowers April-June.

Birch Family (Betulaceae)

Speckled Alder Alnus incana (rugosa)

Wetland shrub that grows up to 25' in height with a stem diameter to 4" (averages 6-12' tall with stem diameter of 1-2"). Its dark bark is plentifully speckled with transverse light-colored bumps (lenticels). The female flowers (catkins) are oval and become conelike. Flowers March-May.

Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis (lutea))

Preferring cool, rich, moist woodlands, Yellow Birch can grow to elevations of 3000' and is perhaps the most abundant of all our Betula species. It can be identified by the peeling, silvery-yellow, rather lustrous bark of limbs and young trunks and by the wintergreen flavor of the twigs. It may reach 90-100' in height with a trunk diameter of 2-3' (averages 60-70' in height). The leaves turn bright yellow before dropping off in autumn. Flowers May-June.

White or Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)

The most widely distributed Betula in the world, White Birch can grow on a variety of sites but prefers moist, rich soils. Seldom living longer than 150 years, it may reach a height of 120' and a trunk diameter of 2-3', but is usually smaller than 60-80' in height. With scattered blackish blotches, the peeling bark is a chalky white. Its leaves turn pale yellow before dropping off in autumn. Flowers April-May.

Gray Birch (Betula populifolia)

About the smallest of our northeastern tree birches, the short-lived, rather weak-stemmed Gray Birch grows rapidly in open situations that range from moist soils bordering water to dry, impoverished, gravelly soils in disturbed areas. Seldom more than 40' high and 18" in diameter, it usually attains a height of 20-30' and a diameter of up to 15". Unlike White Birch, its bark does not so readily peel and is marked with numerous blackish chevrons. Its leaves are roughly triangular and turn pale yellow before dropping off in autumn. Flowers April-May.

Beech/Oak Family (Fagaceae)

American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

Preferring rich, deep, well-drained soils, the relatively slow-growing and shade-tolerant Beech can reach 120' in height with a trunk diameter of 4' (averages 60-80' in height with a diameter of 2-3'). It may live 300-400 years. It has smooth, gray bark and cigar-shaped buds. Two or three small, edible nuts, enclosed in a small, prickly bur, are great food but are not annually produced in a dependable supply. The leaves turn light yellow in autumn, but become increasingly brownish tan; many hang persistently on the branches into winter. Flowers April-May.

Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

With the northernmost natural range of any of our eastern oaks, Northern Red Oak also grows more rapidly than our other oaks, reaching 150' in height with a trunk diameter of 6' (averages 70-90' in height and 2-3.5' in diameter). Fairly tolerant of shade, it grows well on most well-drained soils and may live for more than 200 years. The acorn is a single-seeded, bitter-tasting nut within a cup; they take two years to mature. The leaves are variable when they change color in autumn, turning deep red, reddish-brown, dull brown, or orange. Flowers in May.

Rose Family (Rosaceae)

Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)

Though intolerant of shade, Black Cherry thrives under many soil and moisture conditions, preferring deep, rich soil with uniform moisture. It can grow to 100' in height with a trunk diameter of 5' (averages 60-80' in height and 2-3' in diameter). The maximum age is up to 150-200 years. Its distinctive black bark is broken into scaly plates. Every three or four years, it produces seed, and each seed (pit) is enclosed in a fleshy, pea-sized fruit (cherry). The dark red/black cherries develop by late summer in drooping clusters (racemes) from the small, white, five-petalled flowers that bloomed in May-June. In autumn, the alternate, deciduous leaves turn reddish, becoming bright yellow before dropping off.

Maple Family (Aceraceae)

Striped Maple or Moosewood (Acer pensylvanicum)

Preferring to grow in the shade of other trees in rich, moist woodlands, Striped Maple gets its name from its bright green bark with whitish, longitudinal markings on stems 2-3 years old. Generally an understory tree in the forest, it rarely exceeds 40' in height and a trunk diameter of 10" (averages 5-15' in height and 1-2" diameter). The bright yellow flowers bloom May-June. The deciduous leaves turn yellow in autumn. It may live up to 40-50 years.

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

Maple syrup and sugar are chiefly made from the sweet sap of this important maple species, which can thrive under a variety of conditions, though it prefers fertile, well-drained soils. Tolerant of shade, it can grow up to 130' in height (averages 40-60' in height) with trunk diameters of 1-3'. It may live for over 200 years. Sugar Maple and Beech are ultimately the dominant tree species of the northeastern hardwood climax forest type. Its inconspicuous yellowish flowers bloom April-May. In autumn, its deciduous leaves turn bright orange-red, becoming yellow.

Red or Swamp Maple (Acer rubrum)

Thriving in any moist, fertile soil, Red Maple can grow under a wide variety of conditions and is often found in wetlands, where it will stand long periods of inundation. Growing rapidly in its early stages, it may reach a height of 125' with a trunk diameter of 5' (averages 20-40' in height and 1-2' in diameter). It seldom lives longer than 150 years. Syrup and sugar are sometimes made from the sap. The short clusters of red flowers bloom April-May. The reddish samaras appear May-July. The twigs and buds are reddish. In autumn, the deciduous leaves turn red, often bright red. There is always something red on Red Maple.

Dogwood Family (Cornaceae)

Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea (stolonifera))

A wetland shrub 3-10' in height, although its stems are often partly prostrate and rooting. Its red (occasionally green) branchlets have a large white center (pith). Its small, whitish, four-petalled flowers are borne in flat-topped clusters (cymes) in May-July. The resulting white fruits (drupe), about 0.25" in diameter, ripen July-October. The leaves are opposite each other along the stem, and in autumn, they turn reddish-purple.

Heath Family (Ericaceae)

Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)

The parent of most cultivated varieties of blueberries, Highbush Blueberry is more common in the coastal plain than in the mountains, growing 3-15' tall in wetlands, wet or dry woods, and in pastures. The clusters of small, cylindrical, urn-shaped flowers are white, greenish-white, or pinkish and bloom May-June. The resulting blue to bluish-black berries, juicy and delicious, ripen June-August. The deciduous, usually toothless leaves are alternate along the stem and turn purplish-red in autumn.

Rhodora (Rhododendron canadense)

This species of azalea is a low-growing shrub, 1-3' high, which lives in moist, rocky barrens and wetlands such as cold bogs. The deciduous, hairy leaves are toothless and alternate along the stem and are clustered at the ends of the branches. The showy rose-purple (rarely white) flowers bloom May-June, generally before the leaves develop. The buds are hairy and the smooth branchlets are often whitened with a waxy coating, which is called a "bloom."

Sheep Laurel or Lambkill (Kalmia angustifolia)

A poisonous shrub, 1-3' in height, which grows in a wide variety of habitats: bogs, swamps, upland woods, and pastures. The toothless, leathery, evergreen leaves are opposite each other on the stem or in whorls of three. The deep-pink, cup-shaped flowers, 0.25-0.5" across, are in showy lateral clusters (corymbs) and bloom June-July.

Maleberry (Lyonia ligustrina)

A poisonous shrub, 3-12' in height, that grows in wet to dry woods, thickets, and in wetlands such as swamps, bogs, and water margins. The deciduous, toothed to almost toothless leaves are alternate along the stem. The small, sphere-shaped, white flowers are in lateral clusters (panicles) and bloom June-July. The resulting fruits, about the same size and shape as the flowers, are woody, five-parted capsules.

Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata)

Much branched shrub, 1-4' in height, of peaty soils and wetlands such as swamps, water edges, and bogs. The toothless, minutely scaly, more-or-less evergreen leaves are alternate along the stem and are minutely black-dotted beneath. The small, white, bell-shaped flowers are in long, one-sided rows (racemes) along the branch ends, blooming April-June.

Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae)

Hobblebush or Witch-hobble (Viburnum lantanoides (alnifolium))

A branching shrub, 3-10' in height, of cool, moist, rocky, deciduous or coniferous woods, often along seeps or streams. The finely-toothed, deciduous leaves are roundish or heart-shaped. The five-petalled, white flowers are in more-or-less flat-topped terminal clusters (cymes); most of the flowers in the cluster are small and fertile, but along the margin of the cluster are larger (0.5" across), sterile flowers that presumably help attract insect pollinators. Flowers May-June. The resulting fruit (drupe) is a large seed surrounded by pulpy flesh, at first red but ripening to bluish-black.

Northern Wild Raisin (Viburnum nudum)

A shrub of pond and stream margins, moist woods, and swamps. It can grow up to 15' in height. The deciduous leaves are often untoothed or may have irregular and rather blunt teeth. The buds are brown or tan. The small, white, five-petalled flowers are in more-or-less flat-topped terminal clusters (cymes) and bloom May-July. The resulting bluish-black fruit (drupe), ripening August-October, is a large seed surrounded by edible, pulpy flesh.

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© 1997 by The Audubon Society of New Hampshire. All rights reserved. Updated 12/1/97.