Scientific name: Quercus nigra

This steadfast favorite shade tree, a living witness to the early establishment of Senoia, has stood Near Main Street for generations, a testament to its historical significance.

Water Oak is distinguished among other oaks by its spatulate leaves: broad and rounded at the top, and narrow and wedged at the base. The name refers to its leaf shape: the lobe looks as if a drop of water is hanging from the end of the leaf. Leaves are alternate, simple, tardily dehiscent, and green to bluish-green in color. It is a native to the southeastern U.S.

Water Oaks, a staple of Southern streets and used as shade for generations, are easy to care for and long-lasting if planted in a place they like. This tree had found a perfect spot!

Scientific name: Lagerstroemia indica

A highly popular plant in Georgia and the Southeast. The Crape myrtle is one of the most useful flowering shrubs/trees grown in Georgia, producing dazzling blooms all summer long and is well-adapted to both heat and drought. And during the winter months, the bark of these shrubs and small trees can add interest to any landscape design.

Flowers are borne in summer and autumn in pinacles of crinkled like flowers with a crepe like texture.

Colors vary from deep purple to red to white, with almost every shade in between. Although no blue-flowered varieties exist, the flowers trend toward the blue end of the spectrum with no orange or yellow except in stamens and pistils.

Scientific name: Prunus laurocerasus

Cherry Laurel is an attractive ornamental shrub that can be grown as a  small flowering Specimen Tree or beautiful flower hedge. It has a  a sweet smelling flowers and leaves that emit an almond aroma when crushed.  

It has also been descrided as Spring blooms with sickeningly fragrant flowers that bloom even in heavy shade.

In any event, this is an incredible evergreen shrub that adds timeless beauty and practicality to any outdoor space. Its lush foliage and graceful form offer immense value.

Variety: Grancy Graybeard

Scientific name: Chionanthus

Fringe tree grows as either a wide-spreading, multi-stemmed shrub or a small tree. Useful in native woodland gardens, as a specimen plant, in groups, borders, or near large buildings. The fringe tree’s most outstanding feature is the fragrant, strap-like, white flowers that are borne in 6 to 8 inch long fleecy panicles in late May to early June.

Historical Origin:

Although pecans were renowned among colonial Americans as a novelty, the commercial growth of pecans in Georgia did not begin until the 1880s. By 1910, southwest Georgia landowners began planting thousands of pecan trees, recognizing their high financial potential, which led to the "pecan boom." Soon after, small private Pecan Groves on residential plots became a Real Estate necessity. They increased land value, developed a sales attraction, and created income-producing options.

Scientific name: Quercus falcata

Southern Red Oak is a native deciduous tree and is found in all areas of Georgia. Use this tree for shade in parks and residential areas. Its drought tolerance makes it especially useful as a street tree. The acorns attract a variety of birds and mammals and like other native oaks, it is a high-value wildlife plant. 

The southern red oak is a tree with diverse potential uses, such as for manufacturing of floors, furniture, construction materials and lumber thanks to the sturdy, durable and coarse-grained wood it provides.

Variety: f. Rubra

Scientific name: Cornus Florida

The Pink Dogwood is an amazing special form of the white native dogwood tree, that has not white, but gorgeous deep-pink flowers smothering the tree every spring. This tree will grow in partial shade so it is especially useful for bringing color to shady gardens with large trees and it is an easily grown tree in the right conditions.

As if its perfect pink flowers were not enough, the Pink Dogwood will delight you every fall with a spectacular display of rich red leaves that rival the most beautiful fall display of larger trees. Perfect for a smaller garden, or for the wooded areas of larger gardens, the Pink Dogwood is a special tree that can be grown easily in many areas.

Scientific name: Querus phellas

The Willow Oak, native to the South, remains a favorite tree for planting in the hot climate, and for the graceful shade it provides. Frequently they are along streets and in parks because of its size, striking appearance, and relatively fast growth. Often referred as a "Handsome Tree," with its stand-out features: shallow spreading roots that do not heave above the soil, willow-like leaves and tiny acorns.

Scientific name: magnolia x soulangeana        

A hybrid cousin of America's magnificent Southern Magnolia, the Saucer Magnolia is actually a large spreading shrub that takes its name from its wide, saucer-like flowers.

They are 6 inches or more across, upright bells opening into a bowl, and the petals are white inside and purple-pink on the outside, darkest at the base with streaks towards the tips. This classic early hybrid magnolia is perfect for a lawn specimen, by water or edging a woodland. Easy to grow, reliable and stunning in bloom.

Scientific name: Juniperus virginiana

The Eastern Red Cedar is a pioneer species, meaning that it is one of the first trees to repopulate disturbed sites. It is unusually long lived among pioneer species, with the potential to live over 900 years. This plant provides wonderful winter interest and the aromatic wood is used to repel moths.

Scientific name: Querus phellas

The Willow Oak, native to the South, remains a favorite tree for planting in the hot climate, and for the graceful shade it provides. Frequently they are along streets and in parks because of its size, striking appearance, and relatively fast growth. Often referred as a "Handsome Tree," with its stand-out features: shallow spreading roots that do not heave above the soil, willow-like leaves and tiny acorns.

Scientific name: Quercus palustris

Homeowners and city foresters are particularly fond of this tree for many reasons: dense shade, tolerance of many soil conditions, heat, soil compaction, and air pollution, easy to plant, and pleasing to the eye.

The Pin Oak has a lot of admirable qualities, but honestly, that incredible fall color pretty much seals the deal, doesn’t it? Highly prized for its brilliant fall display of red and deep-bronze color. The outstanding color lasts for nearly a month.

Scientific name: Acer rubric

Valued for its beauty, adaptability, and shade, the red maple is one of the most recognizable trees in North America. True to its name, this tree features something red in each of the seasons—buds in winter, flowers in spring, leafstalks in summer, and brilliant foliage in autumn. This pageant of color, along with the red maple's relatively fast growth and tolerance to a wide range of soils, makes it a widely planted favorite.

The Red Maple has many claims to fame, including the greatest north–south range of any tree species living entirely in the eastern forests (Newfoundland to the Deep South)

SPECIMEN LANDMARK TREE

“THE KING”

We are deeply grateful to have this Prized tree in our Collection.

Age: 275- 300 years at least

Scientific name: Maclura pomifera

The Osage Nation, among other native American tribes, highly valued the Osage orange wood, bois d'arc another common name for the Osage Orange, meaning “bow wood”.   Osage Orange wood was used by the Osage tribe for trading, and primarily for bows. The wood's strength and flexibility made it ideal for bow making, and Osage orange bows were highly prized by other tribes, even being worth valuable trade items like horses and blankets. The Osage were not only known for using the wood for bow making but also for trading the bows and even the raw wood to other tribes. The Osage Nation still considers the wood valuable, though they no longer make bows. 

The Oldest Osage Orange Tree known is the Patrick Henry's Osage Orange Tree, estimated to be at least 350 years old. Located at his Red Hill Plantation in Charlotte County, Virginia.

Scientific name: Acer palmatum

This little tree is the cornerstone of Japanese gardening, with its magnificent leaf color and shape. But don’t think it can’t work well in your yard. The Japanese red maple lends a sense of grace to any space. The dash of red is a welcome addition in yards and parks across the U.S.

The first specimen of the tree reached England in 1820 and was named Acer palmatum after the hand-like shape of its leaves. Today there are hundreds of Japanese red maple cultivars on the market, and Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' (meaning "dark-purple") is one of the most popular.

Scientific name: Acer palmate

The Japanese Green-leaf Maple is a graceful tree, prized for its vibrant green foliage that transforms into shades of gold, orange, or red in the fall before dropping to the ground. Its delicate, deeply cut, toothed lobed leaves give it a lacy, airy appearance, making it an attractive focal point. Relatively low-maintenance, Japanese Maples are extremely popular for their stunning foliage.

Scientific name: Cunninghamia lanceolate

This magnificent, tall evergreen tree is the China fir and is native to China and grown throughout Japan. It was brought to America in the early 1800s and has been used as a specimen throughout the South for years. This is a very large growing conifer (needle-like foliage) that can reach heights of 80 feet tall with trees growing close to 200 feet tall in its native habitat. The early European traders with the Far East used trunks of the China fir as sailing masts once they saw these very straight growing trees with very few lower branches.

Scientific name: Ulmus americana

Age: 160 years

Elms are admired and loved for their graceful, stately shape, with branches like spreading fountains, and green leaves that turn gold in fall. The American elm was the most popular tree to plant in the booming cities of the 19th century, so that by the 20th century many streets were lined with only elms and were shaded in summer by a cathedral-like ceiling of their branches. The American Elm also provides food, nesting sites, and habitat for various wildlife species. There are American Elms throughout the Senoia historic district, see if you can identify them.  

Scientific name: Prunus x yedoensis

The Yoshino cherry (also known as the Japanese flowering cherry) is the darling of the flowering tree world and the star of such renowned events as the National and International Cherry Blossom Festivals. This stand-out tree is, of course, known for its vibrant display of white-pink blossoms and faint almond fragrance in the springtime. In the summer, this tree will be a highlight in the yard with its beautiful branching pattern, glossy bark and dark green leaves.

Scientific name: Magnolia grandiflora

   A tall evergreen tree that grows to 120ft. It typically has a single trunk and a pyramidal shape. The leaves are simple, dark green, stiff, and leathery, with a cinnamon color and soft velvety underneath. The large, showy, lemon citronella-scented flowers are a sight to behold. Their white petals that span almost 12" across is a testament to the tree's beauty. The flower’s have a soft fragrance and waxy texture captivating all who lay eyes on them.

LANDMARK TREE

Age: 150 years ( c.1875)

Scientific name: Platanus occidentalis

The Sycamore is a grand, stately shade tree for a larger site.It can often be easily distinguished from other trees by its mottled bark, which flakes off in large irregular masses, leaving the surface mottled and gray, greenish-white, and brown. The unusual 1 inch round fruit pods dangle all winter long on a 4-6 inch thin stem which looks whimsical.The Sycamore has very high wildlife value, attracting many birds that use the tree for many purposes such as nesting, feeding, and roosting.

Scientific name: Cercis Canadensis

Unique and irregular branching patterns combine with a trunk that commonly divides close to the ground to create a handsome, spreading, and often flat-topped crown. Redbud Trees are one of the earliest spring bloomers. These flowering trees have small, showy blooms that form clusters that pop up all over the tree, even on the trunk! The heart-shaped leaves shimmer in the sun. The tree's greatest virtue is that it's an important source of food for honeybees and many of our native pollinating insects.

Scientific name: Carya illinoinem

Pecan trees can commonly be found surrounding both urban and rural dwellings throughout Georgia. They can enhance the environment and provide a significant additional income from selling nuts. Pecans are recommended for home planting in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont which is where Senoia is located but not for the north Georgia mountains. A pecan, like the fruit of all other members of the hickory genus, is not truly a nut but is technically a drupe, a fruit with a single stone or pit surrounded by a husk.

LANDMARK TREE

A “LIVING FOSSIL”

We are deeply grateful to have this prized tree in our Collection.

Age: 60 years at least

Scientific name: Metasequoia glylostroboides

One of the most famous specimen trees in the city would be the Dawn Redwood which you can see here at the Senoia United Methodist Church.

One of the most rare and treasured specimen trees in the city's collection is the Dawn Redwood, which you can see here at the Senoia United Methodist Church.

The Dawn Redwood, a living fossil, was thought to be extinct for millions of years until it was rediscovered in 1940 by a botanist in China. This historical rediscovery sparked an expedition by Harvard University to collect seeds, leading to the reestablishment of the tree throughout the United States.

The origin of most of the existing Dawn Redwood specimens growing today can be traced back to this original shipment of seed.

Age: c.1908

Scientific name: Cedrus deodara

The wood is aromatic and makes a fragrant incense. The cedar oils are often used therapeutically in aromatherapy or as an insect repellant. It can reach 130-160 feet tall, trunk to 10 feet wide, arching graceful branches, and blue green needle like leaves that create interest to your landscape. It is also known as "‘Rose Cedar’

The male and female cones are on the same tree. Male cones usually on the lower branches and the beautiful female cones, shaped like roses, on the upper branches. 

Variety: Little Gem

Scientific name: Magnolia grandiflora

The Little Gem Magnolia is a dwarf cultivar of the Southern Magnolia, known for its compact, evergreen form and fragrant flowers. It typically grows to about 20-25 feet tall and 8-12 feet wide. With all the charm of a southern magnolia in a smaller size, the little gem magnolia is a popular ornamental choice for people living in hardiness zones 6 through 10. It is often used as a standout landscape specimen to add evergreen beauty or a floral screen or hedge.

If you choose this variety, the reward is early on. The shrub blooms as soon as two or three years old, providing a profusion of fragrant blossoms.

Scientific name: Cornus florida-white

Flowering Dogwood is one of the most beautiful eastern North American trees. It has showy early spring flowers, red fruit, and scarlet autumn foliage. The dogwood is a small to medium woodland understory tree native to most of the eastern United States. Branches on the lower half of the crown grow horizontally, and those in the upper half are more upright. In time, this can lend a strikingly horizontal impact to the landscape. Lower branches left on the trunk will droop to the ground, creating a wonderful landscape feature.

Scientific name: Ulmus parvifolia

The Chinese Elm is a fast-growing semi-evergreen to deciduous tree. This sturdy and popular variety forms an umbrella-shaped canopy of heavily divided foliage that emerges bright green with an attractive red tinge to mature into a deep green. Adding further appeal to this vigorous species is the attractive mottled bark exhibiting shades of grey and reddish-orange with age. Branches eventually arch downward to create a lightly weeping appearance, and it is comforting to sit under for shade.