Types of Trees: Oak vs. Maple vs. Hickory

Are you a homeowner?

Anyone lucky enough to live in Connecticut knows this is a state filled with gorgeous forests filled with thousands of species of plants and trees. When it’s time to invest in home renovations or to remove a dead tree from your property, it’s important to understand the differences between the different types of trees in this gorgeous state.

Fortunately, this article can help. Here we take a look at the oak vs maple vs hickory to give you a better idea of which hardwood might be right for your next project. Keep reading to discover an overview of fascinating tree facts.

Identifying Each Type of Tree

Let’s start by talking about how to identify each of these three species of tree in your yard. There’s no denying that all three trees are lovely, but it’s actually quite easy to tell them apart.

Generally speaking, a maple tree can be differentiated from others by its gumdrop-shaped silhouette.  Norway and red maples are some of the first trees to bud out in the Spring.  Many people will also recognize the “helicopters” or samaras that they produce.  Most importantly, it’s worth mentioning that this genus of trees is especially striking during the fall. This is a time of year when a maple’s foliage ranges from bright yellow to orange to fiery red.

Oak trees grow very tall and have an open vase shaped canopy.  Their bark is variable depending on the species but they all drop acorns.  Acorn production varies year to year.  Heavy acorn producing years are referred to as “mast years”. Oak trees produce rich, muted tones in their foliage.  In the fall, oak tree leaves are gold, brown, red, and russet, although some oaks in the south remain evergreen throughout the year.

The hickories are another genus of trees that produce nuts. They are round and typically split open into four sections.  The leaves of a hickory are quite pronounced. The four common species in Connecticut may have up to 9 leaflets per leaf, making them very long and graceful.  Hickory tree bark is variable.  Some species are grey and tightly ridged, while others become quite shaggy and shed easily as the tree matures.

The Differences In Each Type of Wood

Now let’s take a look at the wood of each tree.

Maple is a hardwood that tends to be white with a tight grain, and yet maple is sold as both a hard and soft wood. The softer variety of maple is ideal for making furniture, while hardwood maple is the best choice for durable items like butcher’s block cutting boards.

Oak is reddish-brown. It’s used to produce cabinetry, furniture, hardwood flooring, and is also ideal for carving. Oak is also a popular choice for wine and brandy barrels. The pores of oakwood are easily visible to the naked eye.

Hickory is another hardwood that’s reddish-brown. It’s typically straight-grained, although the grain can also be wavy or irregular. The sapwood of a hickory tree is light in color. This type of wood is popular for products like golf club shafts, tennis racquets, skis, hammer and pick handles, drum sticks, and for use in plywood veneers.

A Guide to Popular Types of Trees For Hardwood Projects

When it comes to planning a home improvement project or clearing trees from your property, the more you know about each species the better. Fortunately, this guide to different types of trees in Connecticut will help you be a more informed homeowner.

Please contact us today to request a free estimate for clearing trees from your property.