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List of trees naturalized in West Virginia facts for kids

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Trees are amazing living things that grow all over the world. Just like people, some trees are native to a certain place, meaning they've always grown there. But sometimes, trees from other parts of the world find a new home and start growing all on their own! When a tree that wasn't originally from a place starts growing and reproducing there naturally, it's called a "naturalized" tree. West Virginia is home to many beautiful native trees, but it also has a fascinating collection of naturalized trees that have made the state their new home.

Trees That Made West Virginia Home

Every place on Earth has its own special plants and animals that naturally live there. These are called "native" species. But sometimes, people bring plants from other countries or regions. If these plants find the new place to be a good fit, they might start growing and having seeds all by themselves, without needing humans to plant them. When this happens, they become "naturalized." It means they've settled in so well that they act like they've always been there!

Why Do Trees Travel?

You might wonder how trees from far-off lands end up in West Virginia. There are many reasons!

  • For Beauty: People often bring trees for their pretty flowers, colorful leaves, or interesting shapes to plant in gardens, parks, or along streets.
  • For Use: Some trees are brought for their useful wood, tasty fruits, or other products.
  • By Accident: Sometimes, seeds travel by accident. They can be carried by the wind, by birds or other animals, or even on people's clothes or cars.

Once a tree arrives, if the soil, sunlight, and weather in West Virginia are similar to its original home, it can start to grow strong and spread its seeds.

Meet Some Naturalized Trees in West Virginia

Let's look at a few examples of trees that have become naturalized in West Virginia. Each one has its own story!

The Mighty Norway Maple

The Norway maple (Acer platanoides) is a tree you might have seen without even knowing it! It comes from Europe and parts of Asia. People often planted Norway maples in cities and towns because they grow quickly and provide lots of shade. They have big, broad leaves that look a bit like the leaves of our native sugar maples, but if you break a leaf stem, a milky sap comes out. This tree can grow very tall and wide, making it a great shade tree.

The Fast-Growing Tree of Heaven

The Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is originally from China. It's famous for being able to grow almost anywhere, even in really tough spots like cracks in sidewalks or disturbed ground. It grows incredibly fast! Its leaves are long with many smaller leaflets, and when you crush them, they have a strong, sometimes unpleasant smell. Because it grows so quickly and can spread easily, it's a very successful naturalized tree.

The Unique Osage Orange

The Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) comes from the south-central United States, but it's naturalized in West Virginia. It's known for its bumpy, green, grapefruit-sized fruits that look a bit like brains! These fruits aren't usually eaten by people, but squirrels sometimes enjoy the seeds. The wood of the Osage orange is very strong and durable, and it was often used to make fence posts before barbed wire became common. Farmers also planted these trees to create thorny hedges that kept livestock in.

The Elegant Empress Tree

The Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa), also known as the foxglove tree, is another beautiful naturalized tree from China. In the spring, it produces lovely purple, bell-shaped flowers that hang in clusters. These flowers appear before the leaves, making the tree look very striking. The Empress tree also grows very fast and has large, heart-shaped leaves. Its wood is lightweight but strong, and it's used for many things, including furniture and musical instruments.

The List of Naturalized Trees

Here is a list of some of the trees that have become naturalized in West Virginia:

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List of trees naturalized in West Virginia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.