Bark of Common Deciduous Trees

All Bark and No Bite Tree bark is really amazing stuff. Consisting of several types of cells, including cork, bark serves to protect the tree from physical injury, water loss, diseases, and insect and animal pests. Generally initiated during the first year's growth, an additional layer is formed each year for the life of the plant. Although some trees shed (exfoliate) their bark regularly, most retain several years growth and the bark appears quite thick. Patterns formed by bark are often very unique and distinctive, and as a result, some trees can be readily identified by their bark. Some unusual products have been developed that are related to tree bark. Following are photographs showing bark detail of several trees in Hays or on the Fort Hays State University campus. See if you can identify any of the trees from their bark after looking at these illustrations.

Platanus occidentalis                      Gleditsia triacanthos                Broussonetia papyrifera
Sycamore                                            Honey locust                              Paper mulberry

Fraxinus pennsylvanica                      Ulmus americana                                 Pinus nigra
Green ash                                             American elm                                         Austrian pine