The Fairhope Beach Park Tree Trail is home to many unique species of trees. Established in 1999 by Eagle Scout Frank Smith in collaboration with the Wisteria Garden Club, the Fairhope Tree Committee, and City Horticulturist, Tim Kant, the Tree Trail was created to give residents the ability to learn about and appreciate the trees of this area. Over the years, all of the original trail signs were damaged or lost. Asheton Sawyer of Boy Scout Troop 5087, has partnered with the City of Fairhope and the Fairhope Tree Committee to bring you a new experience of the Beach Park Tree Trail. In 2023, 24 new signs were made, now with QR codes to make more information accessible to new demographics. The purpose of these new signs is to allow both Fairhope residents and visitors, new and old, to learn more about these trees and better enjoy and appreciate the beautiful nature and biodiversity of Fairhope once again.

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
The Live Oak is also commonly referred to as the “Southern Live Oak” due to its prevalence in the Southeastern United States. This tree is one of the most iconic southern trees, due to its long, thick, and sprawling branches along with its  massive trunk and canopy often adorned in Spanish Moss. Live Oaks are often seen in a massive and expansive form. This is because the Live Oak can live over 1000 years old! They reach their maximum trunk diameter at around 70 years old, but its branches will continue growing and growing slowly. The Live oak, unlike many oak trees, is considered a “nearly evergreen” tree and not a deciduous tree. They drop their leaves in a short period of time before the spring and quickly grow them back, this way they always look “live” earning them the name Live Oak.

Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
The Bald Cypress is a deciduous tree native to the Southeastern United States. It is a type of conifer tree, meaning it is related to pine, spruce, and redwood trees, but unlike most coniferous trees the Bald Cypress is not an evergreen. It’s called a Bald Cypress because it starts losing its leaves in Fall, so by Winter it has lost all of its leaves and appears “bald”. Its leaves regrow back in the spring. On average they are 50-70 feet tall but they can grow up to 120 feet tall. The Bald Cypress’s wood is valuable for its water-resistant quality. Because it is water-resistant it is often used as lumber and in construction because it will not rot like other wood. Another unique characteristic of the Bald Cypress is its roots. The roots of the Bald Cypress will sprout out of the ground and will form knobs called “knees''. Scientists believe this gives them more support in the often wet soil they are found in, as well as another medium to absorb oxygen.

Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii)
The Slash Pine, also known as the swamp pine, is a coniferous evergreen tree native to the Southeastern United States. It typically grows in swamp-like land that naturally would be overgrown with bushes and smaller trees. These swampy overgrowths are colloquially referred to as “slashes”. The Slash Pine also has very thin pine needles, potentially “slashing”, contributing to its name. The Slash Pine grows tall and thin with mature trees usually being around 60 to 100 feet tall at the age of 10-20 years. They can live up to 200 hundred years under healthy conditions and grow an average of 1 to 2 feet a year. Compared to other pines the Slash Pine has very strong and durable wood and has historically been used for timber in building and carpentry.

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
The Eastern Red Cedar, also known as the Eastern Juniper, Virginian Juniper, and Red Juniper, is actually a juniper tree not a cedar tree, despite what its most common name implies. It is referred to colloquially as a cedar because the first recordings of it from European explorers in the “New World” believed it to be a cedar. The Eastern Red Cedar is an evergreen tree that grows small blue berries in the spring. This is what makes it a juniper tree; it grows small berries instead of cones to spread its seeds. It is the most widely distributed eastern American conifer being able to grow from Southeastern Canada all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. The Eastern Red Cedar is typically 30 to 35 feet tall at maturity and grows rounder with age. It is able to live past 100 years.

Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
The Atlantic White Cedar grows frequently along the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf of Mexico. It is one of the only two species of Chamaecyparis trees in the United states. Chamaecyparis means “false cypress”, as they are loosely related to cypresses and appear similar to them, but they are not in the same genus as them. It is a coniferous evergreen tree that seeds through small pinecones. It has sharp pines that make up the tree’s cone-shaped foliage. The Atlantic White Cedar is called “white” due to its light colored wood. It grows around 60 to 80 ft tall and lives over 200 years!  It grows incredibly well in moist and humid environments so Fairhope makes a perfect home for it. Sometimes a lot of them grow in an area forming a White Cedar Swamp.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)
The Loblolly Pine is a coniferous evergreen tree, native to the Southeastern United States. It is one of the fastest growing pine trees in the world, potentially growing more than 2 feet a year. It grows up to 90 feet tall at maturity along with its foliage stretching up to 30 feet wide. It lives long after it has fully matured, being recorded to live past 275 years. As a pine tree it produces pine leaves as well as stereotypical elliptical pinecones. The origin of the name “Loblolly Pine” originates from the old English slang word, loblolly, which meant thick pudding or gruel. This is in reference to the often thick and muddy ground that Loblolly pines often grow in.

Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)
The Black Tupelo has many common names such as Sour Gum, Black Gum, Tupelo Gum, or simply Gum Tree. The Black Tupelo is native to much of the Eastern United States and can grow in a variety of climates, but prefers moist and shady ones. Tupelo is a Creek Native American word meaning swamp. Contrary to many of its common names, this tree produces no gum.  What it does produce is small berries often eaten by birds and other small animals. The Black Tupelo can live past the age of 500 years and grow up to 60 feet tall.

Pond Cypress (Taxodium ascendens)
The Pond Cypress is a deciduous tree native to the Southeastern United States. It can grow in several different environments,  but it grows best in swampy ones and can even grow with its roots inside bodies of water like ponds and lakes. It can also produce rooty “knees” that grow out of the ground but only does so when it is in a very wet and swampy environment. In more moderate and dryer climates, the Pond Cypress will not grow root protrusions, unlike other cypress trees which often do so regardless of climate. The Pond Cypress grows up to 50 or 60 feet and has been recorded to live up to 1200 years!

Dahoon Holly (Ilex cassine)
The Dahoon Holly, also commonly referred to as just a Dahoon, is an evergreen tree native to the Southeastern United State that also is able to grow in much of the Caribbean and some parts of Mexico and South America. It does not typically do well in cold climates, so moist coastal-adjacent areas are perfect for it. Considered a small tree, the Dahoon Holly normally grows to about 20 to 30 feet tall. The leaves of the Dahoon are green and glossy like other hollies, but unlike other hollies the leaves of the Dahoon lack spiny edges. The Dahoon also produces small red berries that can cause indigestion if consumed.

American Holly (Ilex opaca)
The American Holly, also known as a Christmas Holly, is an evergreen tree native to the Eastern United States that is relatively hardy and can withstand temperatures up to -10℉. The American Holly is very popular for a multitude of reasons. It grows very slowly, usually growing between 15 and 30 feet within a span of 100 years. In exceptionally moist locations it can grow to heights of 50 to 60 feet tall. It is also well known for its iconic dark-green spiny leaves and  bright-red berries. Its berries are poisonous and can cause nausea and indigestion. Despite this, the American Holly is often used in winter decorations.

Red Maple (Acer rurbrum)
The Red Maple is one of the most common deciduous trees in the United States. It can be most commonly along the Atlantic Coast, but its native range extends all the way into the Central United States. It typically grows between 60 and 90 feet tall at maturity. It reaches full maturity sometime between 70 and 80 years old but can live twice that age. One interesting characteristic of the Red Maple is its seed production. The seeds that they make are called samaras also known as “helicopters”. When they fall they use their “wings” to catch the wind and spin on the way to the ground. A full grown tree will produce a whopping 12,000 to 91,000 seeds per year.

Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum)
The Sparkleberry, also known as Farkleberry, is a short tree sometimes considered a shrub that typically grows between 10 to 20 feet tall. The Sparkberry’s can be found natively in the Southeastern United States. Typically the Sparkleberry is deciduous, with green leaves and pale bark. In more southern areas, like Fairhope, the Sparkleberry can be evergreen. The name “Sparkleberry” comes from its shiny dark berries. “Farkleberry” is thought to have been a misinterpretation of the name that was used enough that it became common. The namesake sparkle-berries are related to blueberries and while they are definitely edible, they are not particularly tasty. Lots of wildlife feeds on fruit of the Sparkleberry tree.

Kwanzan Cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kanzan’)
The Kwanzan Cherry, also known as the Kanzan Cherry, Japanese Flowering Cherry, Sekiyama, or Prunus Kanzan, originates from Japan where it was first made through hybrid cherry tree mixing. They are native to Japan, but grow in a lot of other places like China, Korea, and of course the United States. It is named after Mt. Kanzan in Japan. It is a very beautiful spectacle when it is able to bloom. It is a deciduous tree. The leaves of the cherry tree turn into a pale light-pink. It only lives around 15-25 years old. It typically grows 15 to 25 feet tall. The Kwanzan Cherry is commonly used for aesthetic purposes in gardens and outside areas.

Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)
The Southern Red Oak , is named after its geographical location within the United States as well as the color its leaves can change if the climate permits and the slight reddish tint on its wood. Quercus falcata is also known as the Spanish Oak. This name is because it grew in many areas where there were Spanish colonies in colonial America. It typically lives around 100 to 150 years but has been observed to live longer. It will grow to 60 to 80 feet tall. Its leaves have a very unique 3-lobed formation, which gives the reason for another one of Quercus falcata’s common names: the 3-Lobed Red Oak. The Southern Red Oak reproduces by acorns that take around 2 years to produce and grow in pairs.

Japanese Magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora)
The Japanese Magnolia is a small deciduous tree that is often considered a shrub for its diminutive size. It can grow up to 15 to 25 feet but will often stay between the 8 to 12 foot range. It will usually live to 20 to 50 years old. The name “Japanese Magnolia” is given to this tree because it has been grown and cultivated in Japan for a long time, but it actually originates from China. Magnolia liliiflora has many other common names such as: Purple Magnolia, Tulip Magnolia, Mulan Magnolia, and Lily Magnolia. The Japanese Magnolia is prized for its beautiful purple-pinkish flowers that bloom during the spring.  

River Birch (Betula nigra)
The River Birch is native to much of the Eastern United States, especially wherever there are rivers. It grows in higher concentrations in the Southeastern United States because it prefers to live and grow in areas with low elevation. It can grow along rivers and streams, but also in areas that are wet, humid, or swampy.  It can be used for erosion control because its roots are able to keep the ground stable even if it is wet. A unique characteristic that sets the River Birch apart from other birches is its tendency to bear fruit during the spring. Its fruit is a cone shaped packet of nutlets called catkins or stroblies. The River Birch will grow to be around 60 to 80 feet tall over the course of its 50 to 75 year life.

Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
The Southern Magnolia, also commonly known as the Bull Bay, is a large evergreen tree. It grows 80 ft tall and has a canopy that can stretch up to 40 feet wide. Its leaves are heavy, green or brownish, and long, growing 5-10 inches long. The most well known thing about the Southern Magnolia is its flowers. Once a year, during the summer, the flower-buds of the Southern Magnolia will bloom into white, glossy, beautiful flowers. On a healthy tree, these flowers will stay for just 2 weeks before wilting and falling off. The native Range of the Southern Magnolia is very small as it only grows in the southern parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Southern Carolina. It also grows in some parts of Louisiana and Florida.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra)
The Water Oak is a fast-growing oak tree indigenous to the Eastern and Southeastern United States. Although it is normally a deciduous tree, in the Deep South the tree is an evergreen, because the climate never gets too cold for it to have to shed leaves en masse. Due to the fast growing nature of the tree and its speedy reproduction, producing an abundant quantity of acorns, it can quickly take over an area in nature by spawning more Water Oaks if not kept under control. The water oak usually only lives between 30 to 50 years, which is a short lifespan especially for an oak tree. During its lifespan it can grow around 60 to 80 feet tall with a wide foliage stretching 60 to 70 feet wide.

Sweet Bay Magnolia (Magnolia virginia)
The Sweet Bay Magnolia is a semi-evergreen Magnolia tree. It will lose its leaves if the temperature drops below a certain point, but in Fairhope, Alabama it is unlikely that it would shed leaves due to temperature. It has a further range than its relative, the Southern Magnolia, with its native range extending to the Majority of the Southeastern United States. Another difference it has from its Southern Magnolia reference is the size of the tree. It can grow anywhere from 10 to 35 feet tall, often being referred to as a shrub when along the lower heights of that range. It can also live for over 80 years. The Sweetbay Magnolia also grows white flowers similar to the Southern Magnolia.

Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
The Sweetgum, also known as redgum,  is a deciduous tree native to the Southeastern United States. The Sweetgum can grow up to 60 to 80 feet tall and will live between 100 to 200 years old.. The leaves of the Sweetgum are star-shaped and can have anywhere between 5 to 7 points. The fruit of the Sweetgum are spiky brown balls that contain seeds in them. Because of the sheer amount of seeds the Sweetgum produces, it can spread very fast if left unchecked. The name “Sweetgum” is in reference to the sweet taste and gum-like texture of the Sweetgum’s sap. The sap has historically been used for medicinal purposes by pioneers.

Hazel Alder (Alnus serrulata)
The Hazel Alder, also known as the Smooth Alder, is a small tree, often considered a large shrub, that grows between 10 and 20 ft tall. It is native to the Eastern United States and most commonly forms thickets in bogs and wet areas. It is deciduous meaning it loses its leaves seasonally, but sometimes it doesn’t take the chlorophyll and energy out of the leaves before they fall, seemingly wasting resources. The purpose of this isn’t completely known, but some scientists believe it is done to cultivate the ground around themselves, filling it with nutrients. The leaves of a Hazel Alder are sometimes used to make tea believed to have medicinal properties like pain-relief and laxative properties.

Southern Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerfica)
The Southern Wax Myrtle is a small evergreen tree or large shrub native to North America, Central America, as well as the Carribeans. It can grow up to 25 feet, but is usually only 10 to 20 feet tall. It usually doesn’t live longer than 50 years. It is one of the fastest growing shrubs, being able to grow 3 to 5 feet per year during its growing years. The leaves of the Southern Wax Myrtle have a unique spicy scent. For this reason, they have been used to make things like scented soaps and candles, hence the name “Wax” Myrtle. The leaves of the Southern Wax Myrtle are also sometimes used in tea.

Dawn Redwood  (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
The Dawn Redwood is native to Hubei province, China, but it can grow in a multitude of other places with temperate climates. It is the only living species of tree in the Metasequoia genus that is still alive today. All other species of Metasequoia are extinct and only known about through fossil records. The Dawn Redwood is usually only around 60 feet tall, but if it is provided with the necessary space and conditions it can grow beyond 160 feet tall. It can live over 200 years. Sadly, the Dawn Redwood is identified as critically endangered.

Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
The yellow Poplar, despite its name, is not actually a poplar tree, but is actually more closely related to magnolias. It has many other names, such as Tulip Magnolia, Tulip tree, and Whitewood. In the right conditions, It grows beautiful tulip-shaped yellow flowers in the later months of spring. These flowers are the source of many of its common names. Another interesting fact about the Yellow Poplar is that it is one of the largest hardwood trees in North America. It normally grows 80 to 100 feet tall, but has been recorded to grow up to 200 feet in height. As it ages to its maximum age of around 300 years, the Yellow Poplar’s trunk grows thick and hardy.

Sources Used
-1999 Fairhope Tree Commision and Wisteria Garden Peach Bark Tree Trail information pamphlet.
-Fairhope Tree Committee’s: Guide to Native Trees for Landscaping on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay
-Arbor Day Foundation
-Britannica
-US Forest Service
-University of Florida