Fox Hills 4th Grade
Untoothed Simple Leaf Trees
Most broadleaf trees, or
hardwoods, have simple
leaves with a single blade. All
the leaves in this group have
smooth edges, without teeth
or lobes.
Russian Olive
Red-osier Dogwood
Desert Willow
Northern Catalpa
Single leaf Ash
One of the most common and
most wide-spread shrubs in
Utah. It grows naturally and is
planted as anornamental,
especially for the showy twigs in
winter. Red-osier Dogwood is
useful for erosion control along
stream bands. The name comes
from the resemblance of the
reddish twigs to those of some
willos, called osiers, used to
make baskets. It has a whitish,
juicy fruit with a 2 seeded stone
which matures in late summer.
 The Desert-willow is important in erosion control and is planted also as
an ornamental. It is started from cuttings of seeds and grows rapidly and
sprouts after being cut. Indians of Utah made bows from the stiff durable
wood, which is also suitable for fence posts. Despite its name, this species
is not related to willows. It is found only in the south-west portion of
Utah.
 This is the only example of a tropical tree that can grow in high cold
elevations locally. It has been naturalized. It is hardier than the
southern Catalpa and blooms earlier and has thicker walled seed
capsuals. It is nicknamed the Indian-bean. It has large hear-shaped
leaves, showy flowers, and long bean-like fruit.
 This Ash tree is also called the “Dwarf Ash”. As the
scientific name suggests, this tree comes from a family of
compound leaf trees or many leaves made into one leaf.
The largest group of broadleaf
trees has simple leaves with teeth
along the edges. Often the teeth
are uniform and pointed forward,
saw-toothed, as in most willows.
Some trees, such as Alders, birches,
and Elms, have double sawtoothed leaves. Notice that
generally the over-all shape of the
tree resembles the shape of the
leaf.
Quaking Aspen, Cottonwood, Water Birch, Mountain Alder, Sandbar Willow
 This tree also goes by the names “trembling Aspen” and
“Golden Aspen”. The names refer to the leaves, which
tremble in the slightest breeze on their flattened leafstalks.
The soft, white, smooth bark is sometimes decorated with
carved initials and marked by bear claws. The wood is
principally used for pulpwood, boxes, furniture parts,
matches, excelsior, and particle board. They are especially
beautiful in the fall with the sunlight behind them. They
turn a brilliant yellow-gold.
 The aspen is a member of the poplar family. Like all
poplars, this tree is especially valuable because it is one of
the first trees to grow on burned-over forest lands. It grows
quickly and protects the younger and more useful trees
sprouting beneath it.
 This tree was first discovered by Lewis and Clark in 1805 on
their expedition to the Northwest. This is the common
cottonwood of Utah. It is easily distinguishable from other
cottonwoods by the narrow, short-stalked, willow –like
leaves. Its root system makes it suitable for erosion control.
 This tree was used by Indians to make their famous
birchbark canoes. The bark is light weight and even
more important, it is water proof. Early Americans
settlers used it on the roofs of their houses. It was
sometimes used for paper too. The Water Birch is
usually found in clumps or thickets along the streams
of Utah. It has a beautiful shiny, dark reddish brown
bark. It is the only native birch in Utah. Sheep and
goats browse the foliage.
 The alders are members of the birch family. The most
common alder throughout the Utah Rockies is the
Mountain Alder. The Navajo Indians made a red dye
from the powdered bark. It is usually found in thickets
with several trunks and a rounded crown. The seeds
are formed on tiny half in cones.
 Nicknames are “Coyote willow” and “Narrowleaf
willow”. In the spring the flowers form catkins or
“Pussy Willows”. This is a very hardy species and is
drought resistant. It also is planted on stream bottoms
to prevent surface erosion. Livestock browse the
foliage. Indians made baskets from the twigs and bark.
 Some broadleaf trees have leaves that are shallowly or
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deeply cut into narrow or broad lobes.
Rocky Mountain/ Bigtooth Maple
Gambel Oak
Box Elder
Smooth Sumac
 There are many kinds of Maple trees.
All have palm-shaped, simple leaves.
All have leaves that grow opposite
each other. All have winged seeds. All
maples are known for their beautiful
colors in the fall. They turn colors
from bright reds to oranges and
yellows. The wood is used for
furniture since it is a beautiful hard
wood. The seeds have two wings, or
sails that help them float about in the
air. Some say these seeds helped
inspire Igor Sikorsky to invent the
helicopter. The leaves turn red to
yellow in the fall.