Trees With Shaggy Bark: The Unusual but Beautiful Trees

There is something oddly beautiful about trees with shaggy bark. They are not the most common trees you will see, but they are definitely worth taking a second look at. Their unusual appearance makes them stand out from the crowd, and that is what makes them so special.

In this guide, we will discuss some of the most popular types of shaggy bark trees, and we will also provide some tips on how to care for them. So if you are looking for something a little different, then read on.

Benefits of Having a Shaggy Bark Tree

There are many benefits to having a shaggy barked tree. Here are just a few of them:

  • They are unique and eye-catching - This is probably the most obvious benefit, but it is also one of the most important. If you are looking for a tree that will really stand out, then a shaggy barked tree is definitely the way to go.
  • They are low maintenance - Shaggy barked trees are actually very low maintenance. You don’t need to worry about pruning them or doing any other type of special care. Just let them grow, and they will be fine.
  • They are drought tolerant - This is a great benefit if you live in an area that is prone to drought. Shaggy barked trees are very drought tolerant, so you don’t need to worry about them dying during a dry spell.

Top 9 Shaggy Bark Trees

Now that we’ve discussed some of the benefits of having a shaggy bark tree, let’s take a look at some of the most popular types:

1. Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata)

The shagbark hickory is a large deciduous tree that can grow up to 100 feet tall. It gets its name from its shaggy, peeling bark that hangs in long strips from the trunk and branches. The shagbark hickory is native to North America, and can be found in woodlands from Canada to Texas.

The shagbark hickory is a popular tree for landscaping and gardening because of its unique appearance. It’s also a valuable tree for wildlife, providing food and shelter for birds, squirrels, and other animals.

2. Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)

This tree is most often grown in the southern United States, where it’s a popular ornamental plant. The crepe myrtle has smooth, gray bark that peels away in thin layers.

But in some varieties, the bark is covered in shaggy hair-like appendages. These “hairy” crepe myrtles are especially beautiful when their flowers bloom in summer. The barks begin to peel in late fall, revealing the smooth, gray bark beneath.

3. Yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis)

The yellow birch is a medium-sized tree that can grow up to 70 feet tall. It has a slender trunk and smooth, yellow-brown bark that peels off in thin sheets. The leaves are oval-shaped and have sharp, serrated edges.

The yellow birch grows in moist, shady areas and is commonly found in eastern North America. The yellow birch is a beautiful tree with a unique appearance.

The shaggy bark is eye-catching, and the yellow leaves add a splash of color to any landscape. If you are looking for a tree that will make a statement, the yellow birch is an excellent choice. Birch trees are also very popular for landscaping and gardening.

4. River birch (Betula nigra)

This North American native is a good choice for gardeners in USDA hardiness zones four through nine. It’s a popular tree because it’s low-maintenance and adaptable to different types of soil, including wet or dry conditions.

River birch grows quickly, reaching a height of 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18 meters) in just 20 years. The most distinctive feature of river birch is its shaggy, peeling bark.

The trunk and branches are covered in thin layers of papery bark that peel away to reveal a reddish-brown inner layer. As the tree matures, the outer layers of bark become thicker and more shaggy. The smooth bark is only found on young trees.

5. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera)

One of the most popular North American trees, paper birch (Betula papyrifera) is also known as canoe birch or white birch. It gets its name from the thin, papery bark that peels off in layers. Paper birch also has chalk-white bark.

The tree species are often used in landscaping, and can reach a height of about 80 feet (24 meters). Paper birch is a deciduous tree, meaning it loses its leaves in the fall. In the spring, the tree is covered in small, yellowish-green flowers.

The leaves are oval-shaped, and turn yellow or orange in the fall before they drop off. The wood of paper birch is light and soft, making it easy to carve. It’s often used for making canoes, furniture, and other wood products.

6. Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)

This species is also known as the red cedar, eastern juniper, and pencil cedar. It’s native to North America, where it ranges from Newfoundland to Minnesota to Texas. The tree grows up to 30 meters (98 ft) tall and 0.91 meters (36 in) in diameter.

The bark is reddish-brown and scaly. The leaves are scale-like, and arranged in whorls of three. The fruit is a blueberry that ripens in the fall. The eastern redcedar is an important tree for wildlife. Birds use the trees for nesting and shelter.

The berries are an important food source for many species of birds. The trees are also used as roosting and perching sites by bats and birds. Its shaggy bark provides homes for many insects, spiders, and other small animals.

7. Silver maple (Acer saccharinum)

The silver maple is a large deciduous tree that can grow up to 100 feet tall. It has a wide, spreading canopy and shaggy, silver-gray bark. The leaves are opposite, simple, and lobed with serrated edges.

The flowers are small and greenish-yellow, and the fruits are winged seeds. The silver maple is native to North America, and can be found in woodlands, swamps, and along rivers and streams. The silver maple is a beautiful tree that is perfect for adding some interest to your landscape.

8. Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum)

Bald cypress trees are common in the southeastern United States, where they grow in swampy areas. The bark of these trees is thin and scaly, but it becomes shaggy and fibrous as the tree gets older. Bald cypress trees can live for hundreds of years, and they are often used as ornamental trees.

Despite their name, bald cypress trees are not actually bald. The word “bald” refers to the fact that these trees have no needles, unlike other types of cypress trees. Bald cypresses are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in winter. In summer, their leaves are green, but in fall, they turn a beautiful golden-brown color.

9. Red maple (Acer rubrum)

The red maple is a deciduous tree that is native to North America. It can grow up to 100 feet tall, and has a spread of 40 to 60 feet. The bark is smooth and gray when the tree is young, but it becomes shaggy and reddish-brown as the tree matures.

The leaves are opposite, simple, and lobed with serrated edges. The flowers are small and red, and the fruits are winged seeds. The red maple is a beautiful tree that is perfect for adding some interest to your landscape.

Tips on How to Care for Your Shaggy Bark Tree

If you’re lucky enough to have a shaggy bark tree in your landscape, there are some things you can do to keep it healthy and looking its best. Here are some tips:

  • Water your tree regularly during the growing season.
  • Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture.
  • Prune your tree as needed to remove dead or damaged branches.
  • If you live in an area that is prone to wildfires, make sure to create a defensible space around your tree.

By following these simple tips, you can keep your shaggy bark tree healthy and looking its best.

Frequently Asked Questions

The leaves of deciduous trees turn red in fall because the tree is preparing for winter. The tree stops producing chlorophyll, which gives leaves their green color. As the chlorophyll breaks down, other pigments in the leaves are revealed, resulting in the beautiful colors of fall.

No, a medium-sized deciduous tree with shaggy bark does not need special care. However, it is important to water the tree regularly during the growing season, and to apply a layer of mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture.

Pine trees and aspen trees do not have shaggy bark. Pine trees have smooth, thin bark that is easy to peel off. Aspen trees have white, papery bark that is also easy to peel off. Both of these types of tree bark are quite different from the shaggy bark of a bald cypress or red maple tree.

A white poplar tree is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 100 feet tall. It has a spread of 40 to 60 feet, and the bark is smooth and gray when the tree is young. The leaves are opposite, simple, and lobed with serrated edges.

No, single trunk trees and small trees do not have shaggy bark. However, the silver maple and red maple are both beautiful trees that are perfect for adding some interest to your landscape.

No, golden yellow is not a fall color. The leaves of deciduous trees turn red in fall because the tree is preparing for winter. This is because the tree stops producing chlorophyll, which gives leaves their green color.

These are just a few of the many unusual but beautiful trees that can be found around the world. With their shaggy bark and strange shapes, they’re sure to stand out in any landscape. So if you’re looking for something a little different, be sure to check out these unique trees. You won’t be disappointed.