Cucumber tree Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Cucumber tree

Magnolia acuminata, Morton Arboretum acc. 1046-3*1
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Magnolia
Species:	acuminata

The Cucumber Tree (or Magnolia acuminata) is a very large tree. It's one of the biggest magnolia trees around! It can also handle cold weather very well. You'll find it growing in forests in the Eastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada. These trees usually grow by themselves, not in big groups.

Where the Cucumber Tree Grows
Leaves and Flowers
Uses of the Cucumber Tree
Gallery
See also

Where the Cucumber Tree Grows

This tree mostly grows in the Appalachian Mountains area. This includes places like the Allegheny Plateau and Cumberland Plateau. You can find it as far north as western Pennsylvania and New York.

There are also smaller groups of these trees in the southeastern U.S. A few small groups grow in Southern Ontario, Canada. In Canada, the cucumber tree is an Endangered species. This means it is protected by law under the Canadian Species at Risk Act. In 1993, a group called the North American Native Plant Society bought a forest called Shining Tree Woods. They did this to protect a special group of Magnolia acuminata trees there.

Leaves and Flowers

The leaves of the cucumber tree fall off in autumn, so it is a deciduous tree. They are simple, meaning each leaf is one piece. They grow in an alternating pattern along the branch. The leaves are oval to oblong in shape. They are usually 12–25 cm long and 6–12 cm wide. Their edges are smooth, and the underside feels soft and fuzzy.

Unlike many other magnolias, the flowers of the cucumber tree are not very showy. They are usually small and yellow-green. You'll often find them high up in the tree. They bloom from April through June. The leaves have a pointed tip, which is why the tree is called 'acuminata'. 'Acuminate' means tapering to a fine point.

The name "Cucumber Tree" comes from its unripe fruit. When the fruit is young, it is green and looks like a small cucumber. As the fruit ripens, it turns a dark red color. It is about 6–8 cm long and 4 cm wide. The fruit then splits open to release bright red seeds. Each fruit can have 10 to 60 seeds. The ripe fruit is a striking reddish-orange color.

Uses of the Cucumber Tree

Cucumber trees make great shade trees for parks and gardens. However, they are not usually planted along streets. When grown in gardens, they typically reach about 15–20 m (50–65 ft) tall. In a perfect forest setting, they can grow even taller, over 30 m (100 ft).

These trees can become very large and strong. The biggest known cucumber tree in the United States is in Stark County, Ohio. It is about 2.4 m (8 ft) wide and 29 m (96 ft) tall!

Cucumber trees grow best in deep, moist soil that drains well. They prefer soil that is a little acidic. However, they can also grow in alkaline soils.

It can be a bit tricky to move these trees. This is because their root system is thick and fleshy. They should be planted shallowly. It's best to move them in early spring with a good ball of soil around their roots.

The wood from the cucumber tree is used in the timber industry. It is often used in the same way as wood from the related tuliptree.

Magnolia acuminata has also been used to create new types of magnolia trees. These new varieties often have yellow flowers and can survive cold weather, just like the cucumber tree.