Dendrology in Taunton

This walking tour takes you through the streets of Taunton MA, viewing several species of trees, before delving into the grounds of Taunton State Hospital.

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Dendrology in Taunton

Taunton, Massachusetts 02780, United States

Created By: Unity College

Tour Information

Most of this tour takes place on paved sidewalks and paths, with brief forays onto grassy areas. Sneakers and a bottle of water should be all you need, but gazebos and a wildflower garden lend this place to an attractive afternoon spot, so take your time.

Both decidous and coniferous trees make up this tour, so a late fall or winter trip might be a little dissapointing. Look out for the naturally occuring oaks and pines, as well as the numerous ornamental species planted throughout the tour.

You may be able to catch a glimpse of the mill river during the tour, and if you are so inclined. I invite you to check out the numerous other water features that characterize our town.


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What You'll See on the Tour

Growing beside train tracks and over a fence into the parking lot of a CVS, a Scarlet Oak stands tall. It is thriving in the dry, gravel soil and displays brilliant red foliage every autumn. This hardy specimen will be standing for years to... Read more
In the parking lot of the Trucchi's shopping plaza, a Northern Catalpas tree grows over the fence, spreading its branches over a small grassy area. Its unique large leaves and pod-like fruit warrant a look. It is well suited to the full sun... Read more
Planted just off the sidewalk, this Black Locust provides shade and pleasant yellow autumn foliage for passersby. Its compound leaves are different to most trees in this area, catching the eye. This sunny spot allows for better visibility, ... Read more
Taking a look at this tall tree in the middle of a residential yard, you will see a Blue Spruce, exhibiting its usual pyramid shape and blue tinted needles. Looking like the typical christmas tree, this one sticks out among the primarily de... Read more
This exotic transplant hangs over the sidewalk, forcing taller pedestrians to duck or get a mouthful of its beautifully red leaves. The homeowner who resides here must water it frequently to keep up with its moisture requirements. This tree... Read more
An open driveway reveals an outright massive Norway maple, the largest I have seen ove rthr course of my survey. Theyre everywhere, but this one stands out due to its height and girth. Tolerant of urban pollution and numerous soil types, it... Read more
In a series of maple trees along Hodges Ave, a lone Sycamore Maple stands among several Norway Maples. This outlier has distinctly different leaves than most maples in the area. It catches the eye if one looks at the foliage down the street... Read more
This Red Pine stands just on the other side of a wall from a busy residential block, towering over most of the area. Its unique position and the fact that its the only one of its species in the area got it included in this tour. Residing mo... Read more
Tulitrees are one of the largest in north America, this one is no slouch by any strech of the imagination. tucked in a far corner of the grounds of Taunton State Hospital, its somehow hides behind several maples, until one sees its very uni... Read more
Standing in the open between two roads, this norway spruce is hard to miss, a straight and mostly bare lower trunk gives way to drooping, needled branches and cones littering the ground. This sun-loving, adaptable tree is sought as a windbr... Read more
This tree may be a hybrid between two mulberry species Red, and White. The asymmetrical leaves and large spreading crown give it presence up close or far away. On the edge of the woods, fulfilling its partial shade preference, saplings surr... Read more
The smooth grey bark of this tree is often a target for pocketknife grafitti, but luckily this one is largely untouched. Peeking out of the edge of the woods on this road, the broad leaves absorb what sunlight it can from its spot below the... Read more
On the lonely edge of a desolate cornfield, a Black Oak provides a bit of cover ans shade for the squirrels and crows common here.It is hard to miss the glossy sheen of its leaves against the sun, presumably planted as a windbreak for what... Read more
This is the only red maple I could find that wasn't in someones backyard. Its tiny, but it'll grow. Being shade tolerant will prevent it from being smothered by all the oaks and pines in this roadside grove. One of the most common trees in ... Read more
This stop is in loving memory of my favorite tree that I found over the course of the survey. Where once a young Callery Pear stood resolute, bearing its rounded leaves and small green fruit, now lies a stump. A life lost in the name of ind... Read more
Rhododendron maximum & Kalmia latifolia These two ornamentals decorate a small garden area with gazebos and benches, providing something for the eyes as you take a picnic lunch. Both plants flower beautifully in springtime. The mulch h... Read more
This tall fellow here has much different leaves than the other oaks in the area., catching my eye on the ground Large acorns make a closer look more interesting as well, also providing ammunition for fending off the skunks seen nearby. On t... Read more
This is the most common pine in New England, but this one here is magnificent. Tall, strong and handsome, with branches from bottom to the top, it makes it easy to appreciate something so commonplace. Pithy cones litter the ground, watch yo... Read more
The autumn foliage of this brilliant red oak draws the eye across the street from some residential homes. The large lobed leaves and wide trunk somewhat hide the path to the parking lot behind it. Being difficult to transplant due to its ta... Read more
The tour ends back on the Hodges street entrance lawn with a Northern Pin Oak, its oblong acorns and autumn fallen leaves making the small hill here a challenge to go up on two legs. Persistent fall foliage make it attractive to look at, an... Read more

 

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