Our autumn tree identification walk at Draper-Houston Meadows Preserve took place on a warm early fall day. The preserve’s mix of meadow, wetland edge, and upland forest made for an excellent outdoor classroom to study the diversity of Michigan’s native trees. Draper is also a unique site within the county, supporting both upland and lowland oak species in close proximity.
We explored examples of chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), red oak (Quercus rubra), and bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa). The highlight of the day was spotting a mature pin oak (Quercus palustris)—a species seldom found this far inland.
Dry conditions allowed us to reach typically wetter areas for a close look at buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and to compare red maple (Acer rubrum) and silver maple (Acer saccharinum) side by side. We also saw a mature peachleaf willow (Salix amygdaloides), an uncommon species in the county, along with American basswood (Tilia americana) and butternut hickory (Carya cordiformis).
Another interesting aspect of the site was the range of growth stages represented—many species had seedlings, saplings, younger trees, and mature specimens to compare, offering a clear view of how their features change with age.
The walk was both educational and enjoyable, highlighting the ecological variety found within a single landscape. Draper-Houston Meadows Preserve continues to be one of the county’s most rewarding and distinctive sites for natural exploration.
Our next events in this series will be the Winter Tree Identification Walks:
Saturday, November 15, 2025 · 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at Bird Hills Nature Area (Newport Rd entrance, 1850 Newport Rd, Ann Arbor)
Saturday, January 17, 2026 · 2:00–4:00 p.m. at Oakwoods Nature Area (Dunwoodie Rd entrance, 3185 Dunwoodie Rd, Ann Arbor)
Both walks will focus on identifying trees by their bark, buds, and branching patterns once the leaves have fallen. Details are available on our WBNA Events Page.