It's a wonder that we don't wonder more

On my walk through the woods yesterday, I decided to collect some of the nuts and seed pods I found along the way and then come home and identify them. After a bit of detective work, I not only identified the nuts, but was blown away by how useful each tree could be. 

 

Shagbark Hickory 

Native Americans – The nuts provided a staple in their diets and were used in many ways. They found the hardwood excellent for making bows, and they used the nuts and trees for medicines, dyes and soap. Many tribes also used various hickories medicinally as pain relievers, parasite removers, cold remedies, skin problem aids, laxatives, and liver aids.

Other uses – The wood of the tree is used for tool handles, wheel spokes, carts, golf club shafts, and walking sticks. It is also used for fire wood and the Hickory flavor it adds to smoked meats. It is a great tree in areas with high winds because of the tap roots that go down deep in the earth, making the trees very wind resistant. 

additional information about the tree (with pictures) 

Black Walnut 

Native Americans - Native Americans used black walnut medicinally to treat skin disorders and as a psychological aid. The bark of black walnut was used by many native groups, including the Cherokee, in tea as a laxative and chewing for toothaches. Caution: Bark should be used cautiously in medicine, because it is poisonous.  The Chippewa and the Cherokee used the bark to make brown and black dyes. Black walnut was also used by the Cherokee, Comanche, and Iroquois to treat athlete’s foot, hemorrhoids, and as an insecticide.

Other uses - The early settlers found that its rich-brown heartwood was exceptionally resistant to decay and put it to use as fence posts, poles, shingles, and sills. The nuts are a food source for humans, squirrels, mice, and other wildlife. Modern herbalists use black walnut hulls and leaves primarily as an agent that rids the body of parasites.

Handling a black walnut fruit will have the effect of staining your hands if you fail to prepare and wear gloves. The husks of the walnut are round and light green before they ripen, at which time they turn a yellow-green and leak a brown dye that is difficult at best to remove from the hands. Inside this husk is a hard two-halved shell that is so strong that pulverized pieces of it can scour clean jet engine parts. The husk contains the prized walnut that cooks use in various recipes.

Additional information about the tree (with pictures)

Black Oak
Native Americans – Native Americans used black oak to treat a wide variety of ailments including indigestion, chills, fevers, respiratory problems, sore eyes, and more. Native Americans would ground acorns to make flour.

Other uses – Numerous wildlife species eat black oak acorns: squirrels, mice, voles, raccoon, deer, turkeys, and other birds, however they are often buried for later so that the tannins become less strong. Historically, the inner bark was important for its tannin and as a source of yellow dye. The wood from the black oak tree is used to make furniture as well as lumber for basic construction jobs. Oak trees are the preferred habitats of owls and squirrels.

Acorns play an important role in forest ecology. Acorns contain bitter tannins, the amount varying with the species. Tannins can be removed by soaking chopped acorns in several changes of water, until water no longer turns brown. Being rich in fat, acorn flour can spoil or get moldy easily and must be carefully stored

-          White oak acorns - Produces a heavy crop typically every 3rd year but a crop every other year.    Sweetest of all acorns due to a very low tannic acid level. 
-          Black oak acorns - Produces a crop typically every 2nd year. Medium to high tannic acid levels - typically a good spring food after thaw.

Additional information about the tree (with pictures)

Sweetgum –

Native Americans –  In addition to using the sap as chewing gum, Native Americans and settlers used the sap to treat a wide variety of ailments in both humans and domestic animals. Native Americans used the roots and bark to treat skin disorders, diarrhea, fevers and other ailments. Native Americans used a decoction of leaves or roots as a wash to treat injuries.

Other uses - Aside from oak, Sweetgum is the most commercially grown hardwood tree in the United States. It is used for lumber, to curb erosion and for landscaping design. Its seeds are eaten by chipmunks, a variety of songbirds, and wild turkey, among other animals. This tree is well-loved by the yellow-bellied sapsucker bird, as is evident by the rows of square holes in the tree bark. The only edible part of the tree is the dried sap which makes a fragrant, bitter chewing gum. The wood is hard and durable and is used for furniture, barrels, wooden bowls, cabinets, and interior finishing.

Additional information about the tree (with pictures) 

"The wonder is that we can see these trees and not wonder more." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson