Deciduous trees shed leaves in winter and grow new ones in the spring.
They have broad, flat leaves.
Alder, Red (Alnus rubra)
Listed as native in: Portland.gov, Oregonmetro.gov and Oregon.gov
Where to find them:
In Bridlemile, one can find an occasional red alder in residential yards and natural areas.
Regarding their presence in parks, the Portland Tree Inventory lists five red alders in Albert Kelly Park’s NW corner, just south of SW Lee Street. However, an on-site look reveals only one still be alive as of 2024.
Near Bridlemile, Hoyt Arboretum has several red alders.
Habitat: In general, one can find red alder in cool, moist areas, such as near streams. They are intolerant of shade. Also, it is one of the first tree species to take root in disturbed, newly-cleared areas, where they can be the dominant species for 25 or so years.
Last of the Albert Kelly Park red alders. 2024-08-24.
How to recognize them:
Native Deciduous Trees
The two photos above to the left show white-lichen covered bark from a Hoyt Arboretum tree (2024-05-27). The one on the right show bark from the Albert Kelly Park red alder (2024-05).
A distinct, easy-to-recognize feature of red alders is their light gray or gray-white bark with black patches. The bark is relatively smooth and frequently covered with white lichen and/or moss.
Above: Albert Kelly red alder leaves. 2024-08-24
Leaves are a distinct red alder feature. They are relatively big and have an oval, egg shape. The photos above show a top-down and bottom-up view of a red alder leaf. The leaves have doubly-serrated, rolled-under edges and pointy ends. They are ~7 to 15 cm (3 to 8 inches) long, dark green above and lighter, red-haired below. There are 8 to 15 straight veins per side.
In the fall, alder leaves stay green, even after falling from the parent tree.
Red alder leaves differ from other alders by the rolled under leaf margins, the stalked buds and the impressed veins on the undersides of the leaves.
Other features:
Flowers: long hanging catkins, which are 5 to 12 cm (2 to 5 inches) long in males and 2 cm (0.8 inches) in females.
Cones are small, brown and remain on the tree in the winter.
Shape: Medium size. Typically, up to 25 to 37 m (~80 to 120 feet) high. Straight trunk. Rounded crown.
Miscellaneous facts: Commercially, red alder’s straight, large logs are used for making furniture and pallets. It can also be used for making paper and composition boards.
Beavers like using red alder for dam construction.
Native Americans made a dye from the red inner bark.
A red alder is a relatively short-lived tree. It rarely lasts more than 50 years.
Ash, Oregon (Fraxinus latifolia)
Listed as native in: Portland.gov and Oregonmetro.gov
Where to find them:
Oregon ash is a common Bridlemile tree. Look for it in areas with plenty of moisture, such as stream banks.
The Portland Tree Inventory shows 10 in Albert Kelly Park. They are all in the park’s south-east quadrant.
Hamilton Park contains several, although they do not appear in the Portland Tree Inventory.
They are also easy to spot in residential yards, especially in the fall due to their bright yellow fall leaves.
How to recognize them:
Leaves: Five to nine leaflets are arranged opposite each other – except for the leader leaflet. They turn bright yellow in autumn.
Above left: Hamilton Park. 2024-05-28.
Above right: yard on SW Hamilton Street. 2024-11-02.
Above left: Albert Kelly Park. 2024-05-28.
Bark: Oregon ash bark’s crisscrossed ridges resemble a net (photo on the above right).
The single-winged seeds (samaras) hang in clusters and are shaped like little canoes.
Above: Oregon Ash tree. Yard on SW Hamilton. 2024-11-02.
Shape: Medium size. Opposite twigs.
Height: Up to 24 m (80 feet).
Misc. facts: Ash wood is used to make baseball bats, ax and other tool handles, and wooden skis.
Leaves: Five to nine leaflets are arranged opposite each other – except for the leader leaflet (photo on the above left).
The leaves turn bright yellow in autumn (above right)..
Aspen, Quaking (Populus tremuloides)
Listed as native in: Portland.gov and Oregonmetro.gov
Where to find them:
Habitat: Look in sunny (no shade) areas. It is quick to grow in burnt-out areas. Also, aspens tend to grow in groves.
In Bridlemile:
Look for small groves are scattered about neighborhood yards. See photo above. 2024-05-27.
Also, look in Albert Kelly Park, by the south bridge over Restoration Creek.
Near Bridlemile: Look in Hoyt Arboretum.
How to recognize them:
Above left and middle: Bridlemile front yard. 2024-06-02 (single leaf) and 2024-05-29 (multiple leaves).
Above right: Bridlemile front yard. 2024-11-15.
Aspen leaves have a distinct look in how they are rounded with a pointed tip. 10 cm (4 in) long. 4 to 6 cm (1 ½ to 2 ¼ in) in diameter. Fine-teeth (serrated) on margins, with 20 to 30 per side. Upper side: Deep green (above left and middle). Under side: Paler green. They also give off a distinct rustling sound as they are blown by the wind.
In the fall, aspen leaves turn bright yellow (above right).
Left photo: Bridlemile front yard. 2024-05-29.
Aspen bark is another distinct feature. It is relatively smooth. When young, it is light green to whitish. When older, darker and furrowed. Also, the bark has black knots and black horizontal scars.
Height: Up to 25 m (80 feet). Up to 80 years old.
Crown: Rounded.
Miscellaneous facts: Commercially used to make chipboard (aka particle board).
Beavers like to eat the inner bark.
Cottonwood, Black (Populus balsamifera)
Listed as native at: Portland.gov .
Where to find them:
Look in Hamilton Park (NE end) and Thomas City Park: (NW side).
How to recognize them:
Above left: Thomas City Park. 2024-06-10.
Above right: Hamilton Park. 2024-11-15.
Dark green leaves with shiny top sides (above left). Alternate. Simple. Ovate. Finely serrated (many small rounded teeth). 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 inches) long. Prominent veins. They are more oval, less triangular and less serrated than the invasive Eastern Cottonwoods.
In the fall, they turn yellow (above right).
Above: Thomas City Park. 2024-06-10.
Bark. Gray. When young, smooth. When old, furrowed.
Height: Up to 60 m (200 feet). It is the tallest local broadleaf tree.
Miscellaneous: Commercially used for paper making.
Above: Thomas City Park. 2024-06-10.
Height: Up to 60 m (200 feet). It is the tallest local broadleaf tree.
Miscellaneous: Commercially used for paper making.
Dogwood, Western Flowering or Pacific (Cornus nuttallii)
Listed as native in: Portland.gov and Oregon.gov
Where to find them:
You can find a few in Bridlemile yards. However, most local Dogwoods are non-natives.
The Portland Tree Inventory shows:
- Five dogwoods (unknown type) at 4916-to-4926 SW 56th Avenue.
- Four dogwood (unknown type) at 3044 SW Flower Terrace.
Two flowering dogwood Portland Heritage Trees are on the east side of the Willamette River.
7817 N. Haven Avenue. 2944 SE Taylor Street.
Look for Pacific Dogwood trees in shady locations. They work in the forest as an understory, appearing under large conifer trees. They also like to be near streams and on gentle slopes.
How to recognize them:
A distinct feature of the Pacific Dogwood is its flower. The two above are from a Hillsdale yard.
In the spring (and sometimes in the fall), flowers appear and are surrounded by four to six large white petal-like leaves called bracts.
The flowers bloom in the spring and again in late summer or early fall. Bracts (petals): Creamy white. 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 inches). Opens in May and sometimes in October.
The leaf above is from a Bridlemile yard. 2024-05
The leaves are distinct in how their veins curve to follow the leaf outline. They typically are 5 to 13 cm (2 to 5 inches). Shiny, dark green, oval, pointed tip, parallel veins. Serrated at the tip. Oppositely arranged. Hairy on both sides. Veins curve at ends as they approach the outer margin of the leaf. Turn pink, orange, red to purplish in autumn.
The photo on the left is from a Bridlemile yard. The one on the right is from a Hillsdale one.
Bark: Small scales resembling alligator hide. Also, when young: smooth. When older: scaly with ridges. Reddish-brown.
Fruit: Berry-like. Cluster of red, compound drupes. Reddish-orange-purple. Comes in autumn. Favorite food for birds.
Thorns: Sharp. Used by native Indians as fishing hooks and sewing needles.
Height: Typically, 6 to 9 m (20 to 30 feet).
Crown: Conic, open.
Miscellaneous facts: Commercially used as an ornamental tree.
Native Indians used the sharp thorns as fishing hooks and sewing needles.
Maple, Bigleaf (Acer macrophyllum)
Listed as native in: Portland.gov, Oregonmetro.gov and Oregon.gov
Where to find them:
All over.
In Bridlemile:
- Hamilton Park has many in the “native” and higher strip of land in the east part of the park.
- Albert Kelly Park has one on the north boundary of the park.
Near Bridlemile:
- Council Crest Park in the SW Hills neighborhood holds 92-foot high one, outside of and to the NW of the circular drive of SW Council Crest Drive.
Habitat: Likes moist soil.
How to recognize them:
As shown in the leaves above from Hamilton Park, the leaves are distinct. They can be as large as a dinner plate (20 x 35 cm, (8 to 14 inches)). They are deeply notched with five large lobes separated by narrow notches and blunt teeth.
Left: Spring leaf. 2024-05-28.
Middle and right: Fall leaves. 2024-10-29.
In spring, Big Leaf Maples have bright yellow flowers.
In fall, their leaves turn bright yellow and orangish gold (see photos above).
Above left: Hamilton Park, 2024-05-28.
Above right: Hamilton Park, 2024-06-02.
Bark: At maturity: Furrowed and gray-brown. Frequently covered by moss. “Elephant’s skin” appearance.
Above: Bridlemile School 2024-06-02.
Big Leaf Maple seeds (aka samaras) are winged. 1.5” to 2” long. 45 to 90 degrees. Mature in early autumn. Samaras can grow in long clusters, which are doubly joined (helicopter seeds) at a 45 to 90 degree angle.
Shape: Wide width and medium height. Lower trunk may be branch-free half-way up the tree.
Fruit: Long clusters of samaras, which are doubly joined (helicopter seeds) at a 45 to 90 degree angle.
Height: Up to 30 m (100 feet). 250 years old.
Miscellaneous facts: Valuable as timber source. Used to make furniture, flooring, musical instruments and interior paneling.
Squirrels and birds eat its numerous seeds.
Maple, Vine (Acer circunatum)
Listed as native in: Oregonmetro.gov and Oregon.gov
Where to find them:
All over. Both shade and sun. Find ~35 examples on the south side of the Bridlemile school building.
How to recognize them:
A distinct feature is its small size. 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 m) tall.
Above left: Spring Vine Maple leaf. Bridlemile front yard. 2024-05.
Above middle and right: Fall Vine Maple leaves. Bridlemile front yard, 2024-10-29
Also distinct are the roundish-shaped leaves. They are much smaller than those of the big leaf maple. Usually, they have seven lobes - but can also have five or nine. 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches).
In fall, they turn yellow, orange and red.
Above: Bridlemile School, 2024-09-17.
The trunk is often short, bendy, and multi-stemmed..
Above: Bridlemile School, 2024-09-17.
Bark: smooth. When young, greenish. When older, bright reddish-brown.
Miscellaneous facts: Present-day: It is used to reduce stream bank erosion. Also, it is a popular ornamental tree.
Deer and elk eat its foliage. Various birds, squirrels, and chipmunks eat the seeds. Beavers eat bark of young trees.
Native Americans used vine maple wood to make bows, fishing net frames, snowshoes and cradle frames. They boiled the bark to make a tea for colds.
Ninebark, Pacific (Physocarpus capitatus)
Listed as native in: Oregonmetro.gov and Oregon.gov
Where to find it:
Thomas City Park, Albert Kelly Park and in multiple residential yards.
Look for it in moist, well-drained areas, such as along streams, lakes and swamps.
How to recognize it:
Left: Bridlemile front yard. iPhone. 2024-08-26.
Right: Bridlemile front yard. iPhone. 2024-08-26.
Bark: A distinct feature is the brown flaky/peeling bark (photo on the left). The name “Ninebark” is due to the peeling bark appearing to have multiple layers. Bridlemile front yard. 2024-08-26.
Leaves: Toothed and with 3 to 5 lobes (photo on the right). That makes them similar to maple leaves.
Miscellaneous: Birds eat its seeds. The plant provides cover and nesting sites for birds and small mammals. It is helpful for erosion control/bank stabilization projects.
It can shade out invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry.
Oak, Oregon White (Quercus garryana)
Listed as native in: Portland.gov, Oregonmetro.gov and Oregon.gov
Look for them in open grasslands and in sunny locations (southern slopes).
Where to find them:
In Bridlemile, Albert Kelly Park has a large Oregon White Oak. It is in an open grassy area south of Restoration Creek.
Portland lists 20 Oregon White Oaks at the relevant Portland Heritage Trees page. One near Bridlemile is at a private front yard at 4620 SW 29th Place in Hillsdale.
How to recognize them:
Above: Albert Kelly Park. Left photo: 2024-08-26. Middle photo: 2024-09-01. Right photo: 2024-09-15.
A distinctive feature is the leaf (see photos above). Each leaf has 5 to 7 rounded lobes. (Pin oaks have pointed lobes). The lobes are separated by narrow, deep notches. Larger lobes may be notched at the tip. 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 inches) long and 2.5 to 7.5 cm (1 to 3 inches) wide. Alternate. Dark green on top.
Albert Kelly Park. 2024-11-21.
In the fall, they turn to orange and then brown (above photo). They may stay attached to their branches until spring.
Albert Kelly Park. 2024-09-01.
Shape: It is a medium-sized tree. It may be as wide as it is tall when in an open area (see above photo). It might grow up to 24 m (80 feet). The crown is often broad, rounded and made up of many twisted branches. The tree trunk is often forked within 5 m (16 feet) of the ground.
Above: Albert Kelly Park. 2024-09-01. Bark: Grayish-brown with narrow, shallow fissures.
Above: Albert Kelly Park. 2024-09-03.
Acorns: 2.5 to 3 cm (1 to 1 ¼ inches) (thumb sized). Rounded tip at one side (2/3rds length) and a distinct small and shallow saucer-shaped “oak” cap at the other (1/3rds length). It resembles a beret sitting on a person’s head… Solitary or paired. Harvest time is typically between September and November.
Sometimes, wasps leave leaf galls.
Height: 24 m (80 feet).
Miscellaneous: Commercially useful as flooring, furniture, railroad crossties, and in wooden ship construction.
Deer and other animals eat the leaves.
Oaks were much more numerous in the Portland area before European-American settlers arrived and logged them to make room for pastures.
Sources of information:
Brewer, Karen. Northwest Know-How: Trees. Sasquatch Books. Seattle, Wa. 2021.
Jensen, Edward, C. Trees to Know in Oregon and Washington. Oregon State Extension Service. Corvallis, Oregon. 2020.
Kriegh, LeeAnn. Nature of Portland. Tempo Press. Bend, Oregon. 2020.
Rushforth, Keith and Hollis, Charles. Field Guide to the Trees of North America. National Geographic. Washington DC.
Wikipedia.org.