Exploring Trees and Plants in the Anacostia Watershed

It's great to know what you're looking at while strolling through natural areas.

Here's a list of 20 trees found in the Anacostia Watershed:

Large Trees
Common Name	Botanical Name
Red Maple	Aceraceae Acer rubrum L.
Bitternut Hickory, Swamp Hickory	Juglandaceae Carya cordiformis
American Beech	Fagaceae Fagus grandifolia
Swamp White Oak	Fagaceae Quercus bicolor
American Elm	Ulmaceae Ulmus americana
Willow Oak	Fagaceae Quercus phellos
Chestnut Oak	Fagaceae Quercus prinus
Black Willow	Salicaceae Salix nigra
American Sycamore	Platanaceae Platanus occidentalis L.
Virginia Pine	Pinaceae Pinus virginiana

Small Trees and Shrubs
Common Name	Botanical Name
Paw Paw	Annonaceae Asimina triloba
Fringetree	Oleaceae Chionanthus virginicus
Silky Dogwood, Cornel Dogwood	Cornaceae Cornus amomum
Swamp Azalea	Ericaceae Rhododendron canescens
Common Elderberry	Caprifoliaceae Sambucus nigra ssp.
Deerberry	Ericaceae Vaccinium stamineum L.
Mapleleaf Viburnum	Caprifoliaceae Viburnum acerifolium L.
Sassafras	Lauraceae Sassafras albidum
Hazel Alder	Betulaceae Alnus serrulata
Witch Hazel	Hamamelidaceae Hamamelis virginiana L.

If you want to help restore a more functioning ecosystem, check out this short guide to invasive species in the Anacostia.

Many of these removal techniques require knowledge of correct types of herbicides and dosages, so it may be best to collaborate with organizations like the Anacostia Watershed Society and volunteer for their next invasive pull event if you're interested in helping out.