Enclosures in Nature

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Oxydendrum arboreum / Sourwood

Family: Ericaceae

Native: Eastern and Southern United States

Mature Size: 50-60ft height; 10-25ft spread

Habitat: acidic, moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun

Hardiness Zone: 5-9

Leaf Color: glossy green leaves; crimson red in the fall

Flower color/Bloom time: white; June to July

Enclosure:

The Sourwood tree has a short, straight, slender trunk before branching off into a crooked irregularity. The irregular branches are strong and thick and create unique opportunities to support treehouse structures, with various angles of branches in all directions. Large structures may be supported at the intersection of large, lower branches on the Sourwood tree. Additionally, large branches will grow not far from the ground, making any structure in the tree relatively accessible. The accessibility is helped by the irregularities of the branches, as they can create a natural circulation ladder through the tree, depending on the configuration.

Treehouse Structure Precedents:

Simple Decking. The decking situated on the branches of a Northern Catalpa would be simple in structure as shown below, but would be smaller in area and located next to the central trunk rather than surround it completely. This would be built using the Tadashi Kawamata method.

Photo Source

Sources:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=OXAR

Missouri Botanical Garden http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a887

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/oxydendrum-arboreum/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Oxydendrum+arboreum

American Conifer Society https://conifersociety.org/search/?snaptcha=6qOPmklyV3gV63MZLUzeaZC4xq68oLxBkAVt&q=Oxydendrum+arboreum

USDA Plants Database https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=OXAR

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Photinia Villosa / Oriental Photinia

Family: Rosaceae

Native: China, Japan, Korea

Mature Size: 8-15ft height; 8-12ft spread

Habitat: clay, well drained soil;

Hardiness Zone: 4-8

Leaf Color: green; golden, bronze yellow in the fall

Flower color/Bloom time: white; fall season

Enclosure:

The general geometry of the Oriental Photinia is such that it can not support any treehouse structure, nor does it create any sense of enclosure from it’s leaf canopy. However, the irregularity of the long branches can offer isolated shade canopy, so the Oriental Photinia is useful for creating a semi-screen, where privacy or light is not desired to be blocked out completely, but only a little bit.

Sources:

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/photinia-villosa/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Photinia+villosa

USDA Plants Database https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PHVI81

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Mitchella repens / Partridgeberry

Family: Rubiaceae

Native: Eastern North America

Mature Size: 1-2 inches tall

Habitat: Dry or moist woods; stream banks; sandy slopes; sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Acid-based;

Hardiness Zone: 4-8

Leaf Color: dark green; 

Flower color/Bloom time: white, pink, purple; May through October

Enclosure:

Due to the height of the Partridgeberry maxing out at 2 inches, this is not a structurally relevant plant. However, if one finds themselves in need of a softer place to lie for a nap or an overnight sleep, laying on the Partridgeberry might be more comfortable than the exposed ground. However, this is not recommended as this will severely injure and damage the Partridgeberry.

Sources:

Lady Bird Wildlife Center https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MIRE

Go Botany https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/mitchella/repens/

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/mitchella-repens/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mitchella+repens

Minnesota Wildflowers https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/partridgeberry

USDA Plants Database https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=MIRE

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Hudsonia tomentosa / Beach Heather

Family: Cistaceae

Native: Eastern North America

Mature Size: 4-8 inches tall

Habitat: Sand dunes and poor soil openings; sandy soil; full sun

Hardiness Zone: 2-6

Leaf Color: gray-green

Flower color/Bloom time: yellow; May-July

Enclosure:

Due to the height of the Beach Heather maxing out at 4-8 inches, this is not a structurally relevant plant. However, if one finds themselves in need of a softer place to lie for a nap or an overnight sleep, laying on the Beach Heather might be more comfortable than the sandy dune around it. However, this is not recommended as this will severely injure and damage the Beach Heather.

Sources:

Lady Bird Wildlife Center https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HUTO

Go Botany https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/hudsonia/tomentosa/

Minnesota Wildflowers https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/shrub/beach-heather

USDA Plants Database https://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch

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Pinus echinata / Short-Leaf Pine

Family: Pinaceae

Native: Southeastern United States

Mature Size: 80-100ft height; 20-40ft spread; 48inch trunk diameter

Habitat: well-drained soils in full sun; dry, sandy & acidic soils; rocky, wooded ravines; bluffs & upland plains

Hardiness Zone: 6-9

Leaf Color: Dark bluish-green needles

Flower color/Bloom time: non-flowering

Enclosure:

The branch geometry of the Short-Leaf Pine is a short, pyramidal crown that slightly broadens with age. Branches are generally perpendicular relative to the straight, vertical trunk. However, the thickness of the trunk and the branches is not enough to support a large structure, but it is more suited to small structures and vertical circulation, as ladders or stairs can be attached to the simple trunk.

No-damage spiral staircase: sand-cast aluminum joints cushioned with neoprene pads that rest against the tree (Tadashi Kawamata method).

Photo Source

Small Structure Precedents:

1) Deer Stand:

Photo source

2)  Hunter’s Perch: Temporary structure attached to central trunk.

Photo Source

Sources:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PIEC2

Missouri Botanical Garden http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=v130

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pinus-echinata/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Pinus+echinata

American Conifer Society https://conifersociety.org/conifers/pinus-echinata/

USDA Plants Database https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=TSCA2

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Psathyrella ammophila / Dune Brittlestem

Family: Psathyrellaceae

Native: British Isles

Cap: 3-5cm across the top; initially bell-shaped before flattening

Cap Color: surface is pale brown, tan or darker brown; is paler in dry weather but usually blackens when it is old;

Gills: adnate, dense

Gills Color: chocolate brown; dries as very dark brown to black

Stem: 2-5mm in diameter; 3-7cm tall, with another 2-4cm below ground 

Stem Color: light white that turns brown with age

Spores: Ellipsoidal, smooth; very dark brown

Habitat: stable dune slopes and dune slacks; coastal dunes

Growing Season: June to November in British Isles

Enclosure:

The Dune Brittlestem mushroom is dimensionally quite small. This mushroom serves as an effect shade canopy for any human that is under 3-5 centimeters tall. Additionally, insects may use the Dune Brittlestem for respite from the sun in the middle of a hot summer.

Sources:

First Nature https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/psathyrella-ammophila.php

British Fungi Blog https://britishfungi.blogspot.com/2019/07/psathyrella-ammophila-dune-brittlestem.html

Nature in Stock https://www.natureinstock.com/search/preview/dune-brittlestem-psathyrella-ammophila-growing-on-sand-dune-schiermonnikoog/0_00114589.html

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Tsuga caroliana / Carolina Hemlock

Family: Pinaceae

Native: Southeastern United States

Mature Size: 45-60ft height, 20-25ft spread; up to 100′ in the wild

Habitat: well-drained soils in full sun to part shade; forest edges, meadows and fields, shores of rivers or lakes

Hardiness Zone: 6-7

Leaf Color: evergreen needles with two white stomatal bands beneath;

Flower color/Bloom time: non-flowering

Enclosure:

The Carolina Hemlock is a towering tree with a narrow, pyramidal cone and slightly pendulous branches. Although the central trunk is tall and straight, the branches are not strong or thick and thus can not support a large treehouse structure. However, the central trunk can still support a small treehouse structure such as a deer’s nest or a hunter’s perch. Additionally, the regularity of the branches can create a natural circulation ladder through the tree, although this should be done with caution due to the looseness and weakness of the branches. The lowest branches may also be out of reach from the ground, making access to the tree difficult at times. 

Small Structure Precedents:

1) Deer Stand:

Photo source

2)  Hunter’s Perch: Temporary structure attached to central trunk.

Photo Source

Sources:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=TSCA2

Missouri Botanical Garden https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=285011&isprofile=0&

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/tsuga-caroliniana/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Tsuga+caroliniana

American Conifer Society https://conifersociety.org/conifers/tsuga-caroliniana/

USDA Plants Database https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=TSCA2

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Aralia elata / Japanese Aralia

Family: Araliaceae

Native: Eastern temperate Asia

Mature Size: 20-40ft height, 10-15ft spread

Habitat: well-drained soils in full sun to part shade; forest edges, meadows and fields, shores of rivers or lakes

Hardiness Zone: 4-9

Leaf Color: medium to dark green with irregularly toothed margins; yellow to reddish-purple in the fall

Flower color/Bloom time: white; July to August

Enclosure:

The Japanese Aralia, also known as the Japanese Angelica Tree, has the height dimensions to support a treehouse structure, however, the branches and trunk are not thick enough to support a heavy structure. However, the spreading-umbrella like canopy created by these thin, irregular branches are perfect for a shade canopy. The canopy of this tree creates a type of roof, although it is loose and is not itself an enclosure - but the loose canopy can provide a shade canopy.

Sources:

Go Botany https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/aralia/elata/

Missouri Botanical Garden http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=276610

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/aralia-elata/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Aralia+elata

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Prunus nigra / Canadian Plum

Family: Rosaceae

Native: Canada

Mature Size: 20-30ft height, 

Habitat: forest edges, forests, meadows and fields

Hardiness Zone: 2-6

Leaf Color: medium green; dark red to purple in the fall

Flower color/Bloom time: white flowers; April to May

Enclosure:

The Canadian Plum tree is not tall enough nor wide enough to support a treehouse structure. The geometry of the branches is upright and narrow-headed, yielding a narrow overhead canopy. This narrow overhead canopy combined with the overall smaller scale trees means that the only structural or enclosure qualities relevant for the Canadian Plum would be as a small shade canopy.

Sources:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PRNI

Go Botany https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/prunus/nigra/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Prunus+nigra

Minnesota Wildflowers https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/tree/canada-plum

USDA Plant Database https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PRNI

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Aronia melanocarpa / Black Chokeberry

Family: Rosaceae

Native: Eastern North America

Mature Size: 3-6ft height, 3-6ft spread

Habitat: well-drained soils in full sun to part shade; bogs, cliffs, balds, ledges, fens, swamps, woodlands

Hardiness Zone: 3-8

Leaf Color: dark green leaves; purple and red in the fall

Flower color/Bloom time: white; May

Enclosure:

The Black Chokeberry is low to the ground, and has very little structural capabilities since it is a shrub/bush. It is too short in maturity to cast a meaningful shadow. However, the curved branching stemming from the central base of the shrub creates an overhang effect, where someone could crawl under and sleep fo cover at night. The shrub serves as a roof structure for this sleeping space, although it is not enclosed and is exposed on the sides to the elements.

Sources:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ARME6

Go Botany https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/aronia/melanocarpa/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Aronia+melanocarpa

Missouri Botanical Garden https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=j420

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/aronia-melanocarpa/

Minnesota Wildflowers https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/shrub/black-chokeberry

USDA Plant Database https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ARME6

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Malus x zumi / Zumi Crabapple

Family: Rosaceae

Native: Japan

Mature Size: 12-20ft height, 12-20ft spread

Habitat: well-drained soils in full sun;

Hardiness Zone: 4-8

Leaf Color: rich, dark green foliage; 

Flower color/Bloom time: white flower; May

Enclosure:

The Zumi Crabapple tree is a dense, rounded-to-spreading branch geometry. The overall dimensions at maturity are not large enough to support a large treehouse structure. However, the cradle geometry of the branching stemming from the central trunk could hold a person wanting to sit or stand for whatever reason. The tree becomes the small structure. Additionally, the height of the tree is still enough to cast a decent shadow, and could be used as a shade canopy on a small outdoor area.

Sources:

Missouri Botanical Garden http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=r630

Gardenia https://www.gardenia.net/plant/malus-zumi-var-calocarpa

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Callicarpa bodinieri / Girald Beautyberry

Family: Verbenaceae

Native: China

Mature Size: 4-8ft height, 4-8ft spread

Habitat: well-drained soil in full sun to part shade; rich woods; thickets

Hardiness Zone: 6-8

Leaf Color: green leaves; golden yellow in the fall 

Flower color/Bloom time: lavender flowers from June to August; glossy violet-purple fruits from September to October;

Enclosure:

The Girald Beautyberry is a small bush, and therefore can’t support any structure. However, due to the stalkyness of the branches, one could fit themselves inside a mature Girald Beautyberry. The large, heavy green leaves are effective at blocking sightlines, light, and wind, and so one could effectively be enclosed by the plant. Additionally, depending on the plant size, this enclosure within the plant could be just right to lay down and sleep in, but this is subject to each specific Girald Beautyberry.

Sources:

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Callicarpa+americana

Missouri Botanical Garden http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a779

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/callicarpa-bodinieri/

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Hamamelis vernalis / Ozark Witch-hazel

Family: Hamamelidaceae

Native: Southern and Central United States

Mature Size: 6-10ft height, 8-15ft spread

Habitat: well-drained soils in full sun to part shade; Woodland

Hardiness Zone: 4-8

Leaf Color: light green with reddish-bronze tints in spring; mature to medium to dark green; golden-yellow in the fall

Flower color/Bloom time: yellow with red inner calyx; January to April

Enclosure:

The Ozark Witch-hazel is a shorter tree/shrub growth that is wider than it is tall. This spatial relationship means that it won’t support a structure in the vertical direction. The outward and upward trajectory of the branching geometry with twigs and leaves clustering towards the ends means that the inner part of the tree, although dense with branches, has pockets of space that can be occupied by a human. A person could comfortable sleep under the overhang of the branches. A person could also perch inside the tree on the branches and the central trunk for short periods of time as well, and they would be mostly hidden by the tree cover all around.

Sources:

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Hamamelis+virginiana

Missouri Botanical Garden https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c920

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/hamamelis-vernalis/

USDA Plant Database https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=HAVE2

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Ulmus americana / American Elm

Family: Hamamelidaceae

Native: Eastern North America

Mature Size: 60-80ft height, 40-70ft spread

Habitat: well-drained soils in full sun; forests, meadows, fields, shores of rivers and lakes, swamps;

Hardiness Zone: 2-9

Leaf Color: dark green leaves; yellow in the fall

Flower color/Bloom time: reddish-green; March to April

Enclosure:

The American Elm has the height and the spread to support significant treehouse or wooden structures and platforms. In terms of form, the regularity of the upward arching branches offers a uniform canopy perfect for shade. Indeed, the American Elm was once the primary tree for all public spaces in the United States due to its soaring height and high clearance below, and great shade qualities. 

However, the Dutch Elm disease, which is a fungus imported from Europe in the early 20th century, has resulted in absolute decimation of the species. Large, mature adult American Elm are exceedingly rare as most will succumb to the disease long before reaching maturity. Therefore, this tree can not be relied upon to support a treehouse as it will definitely succumb to disease. Even if a large, mature American Elm was surviving despite the disease, it would be advised not to use for a treehouse structure out of respect for the precarity of the species.

Sources:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ULAM

Go Botany https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/ulmus/americana/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Ulmus+americana

Missouri Botanical Garden http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a922

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ulmus-americana/

Minnesota Wildflowers https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/tree/american-elm

USDA Plant Database http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ULAM

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Prunus serotina ‘cartilaginea’ / Cultivar of Black Cherry

Family: Rosaceae

Native: North America

Mature Size: 50-80ft height, 30-60ft spread

Habitat: well-drained soils in full sun to part shade; floodplain, forests,

Hardiness Zone: 3-9

Leaf Color: glossy green leaves; yellow and rose in the fall

Flower color/Bloom time: white; April to May

Enclosure:

The Black Cherry tree has the proper maturity dimensions to support a treehouse structure. The branch geometry is diagonal and upwards, while the central trunk is not overwhelming thick in diameter. Due to these two reasons, it is not recommended to put a large treehouse structure on the Black Cherry. However, a small structure such as a hunter lookout or a small platform could be supported. The verticality of the trunk of the Black Cherry is slightly too irregular in its vertical trajectory to support a circulation structure, nor does the branch geometry provide a natural circulation path upwards.

Small Platform Precedents:

1) Deer Stand: 

https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/deer-stand.html?pg=2

2)  Hunter’s Perch: Temporary structure attached to central trunk.

https://www.natchezss.com/summit-crush-series-perch-hang-on-treestand-300-lb-limit.html

Sources:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PRSE2

Go Botany https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/prunus/serotina/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Prunus+serotina

Missouri Botanical Garden http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a914

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-serotina/

USDA Plant Database https://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch

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Spiraea japonica / Japanese Spiraea

Family: Rosaceae

Native: Japan, China

Mature Size: 4-6ft height, 5-7ft spread

Habitat: well-drained soils in full sun; meadows, fields; forest edges

Hardiness Zone: 3-8

Leaf Color: medium, shiny green

Flower color/Bloom time: pink; June to July

Enclosure:

This shrub is low-lying along the ground, and has very little structural capabilities. It is too short in maturity to cast an effective shadow. However, the geometric composition of the shrub is dense enough that a person could crawl inside the shrub to sleep if needed. The branches and leaves of this shrub are not strong enough or thick enough to provide an effective structural-like covering, but the sheer density of this shrub makes up for that and provides a wrap-around sleeping space.

Sources:

Go Botany https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/spiraea/japonica/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/USER/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Spiraea+japonica

Missouri Botanical Garden http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=x320

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/spiraea-japonica/

USDA Plant Database https://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch

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Quercus ilicifolia / Bear Oak

Family: Fagaceae

Native: Canada and United States

Mature Size: 12-36ft height, 

Habitat: dry sites; shrublands, thickets, woodlands; disturbed areas; barrens; rocky ridges

Hardiness Zone: 2-6

Leaf Color: upper surface shiny dark green, lower surface pale green to gray; reddish-purple in the fall

Flower color/Bloom time: red, yellow, green; March through June

Enclosure:

The Bear Oak tree generally has a shorter, contorted trunk with slender horizontal branches. The dimensions in maturity are not sufficient for supporting a large tree structure but could support a small tree structure. However, Bear Oak thrives as a colonizer on drier soils, and serves as a placeholder. Bear Oak will stabilize the soil until larger and faster growing pines and oaks take over, usually limiting the Bear Oak to a semi-understory status, before eventually dying off as the rest of the forest matures. For this reason, Bear Oak shouldn’t be used for permanent structures and when using the tree to create a small structure it should be for more temporary uses, since it’s lifespan is generally shorter. Such small, temporary structures could be a hunters perch or a small platform structure. Additionally, the Bear Oak can cast a large shadow and can be used to help create a shade canopy.

Small Platform Precedents:

1) Deer Stand:

Photo Source

2)  Hunter’s Perch: Temporary structure attached to central trunk.

Photo Source

Sources:

Go Botany https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/aralia/elata/

Missouri Botanical Garden http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=276610

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/aralia-elata/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Aralia+elata