What’s in a name?

(A rose by any other name could still be a rose)

Take a walk through any city or town, and you’ll probably notice rows of trees lining the streets—some tall and majestic, others smaller but just as important. These trees do a lot more than just look nice. They clean the air, cool down hot sidewalks, soak up stormwater, and give birds and insects a place to call home.

But beyond all that, every tree has a name—and often, it’s not the name you think.

Most of us know trees by their common names, like red maple, hackberry, or black gum. But those names can change from place to place, and even person to person, so sometimes they cause more confusion than clarity. That’s where Latin names (also called scientific names) come in. But why Latin? And what do those names actually tell us about the trees growing in our neighborhoods?

Let’s dig into the roots of scientific naming and discover why learning a tree’s Latin name can help us better understand and care for the urban forest around us.

Note: this blog includes a number of Latin words that you may not know how to pronounce. Here are links to a pronunciation guide for a few of those that are used regularly: Acer, Betula, Carya, Fagus, Pinus, Platanus, Quercus

A universal language

The naming system we use today was created in the 1700s by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus. Before that, plant names were often long and descriptive (think “white, smooth-leaved spring-blooming flower from a meadow”), and they varied widely by region and language.

Linnaeus introduced a much simpler system: give each species a two-part Latin name composed of the genus and the specific epithet. This is called binomial nomenclature. Latin was the language of science at the time, and since it’s no longer spoken conversationally, it doesn’t change. (Well, except for some times when it is discovered that the same species is described by multiple botanists or when we look more loosely at a plant’s DNA and discover that it is actually more closely related to another genus or family; e.g. Eupatorium fistulosum [joe-pye weed] moved to Eutrochium fistulosum). That makes Latin ideal for naming plants in a way everyone can agree on.

For example: Acer rubrum = Acer (the genus for maples) + rubrum (Latin for “red”) = red maple.

From kingdom to species

Scientific names aren’t just fancy labels—they show how trees are related. This matters in urban forestry, because knowing those relationships helps us pick the right trees for the right places, keep forests diverse, and protect against pests and diseases.

Let’s look at four familiar species you might see in Bloomington:

-Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus)

-White oak (Quercus alba)

-American beech (Fagus grandifolia)

-Red maple (Acer rubrum)

Here’s how they stack up, from the broadest group (kingdom) to the most specific (species):

What this tells us

All four of these species are, of course, plants, but their paths start to diverge as we move deeper into the plant family tree (pun definitely intended).

Eastern white pine is a gymnosperm, part of an ancient group of seed-bearing plants that existed long before flowers evolved. Gymnosperms include conifers like pines, spruces, and firs - but also the quirky ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba). Fun fact: The ginkgo you see around town is the only surviving species in its entire order (Ginkgoales) and is often called a “living fossil” because it’s barely changed in over 200 million years!

The other three species—white oak, American beech, and red maple—are angiosperms, or flowering plants. This group includes everything from oak trees to sunflowers, and it makes up the majority of plant species we see in forests today, including in places like Bloomington and the Hoosier National Forest.

Even within the angiosperms, the trees follow different evolutionary paths:

• White oak and American beech are in the same order (Fagales) and family (Fagaceae). They both produce nuts (acorns and beechnuts), have similar broadleaf forms, and are essential for wildlife habitat.

• Red maple, while it might look similar to beech at a glance—broad leaves, deciduous nature, smooth bark when young—is actually in a completely different family (Sapindaceae). It just goes to show: appearances can be deceiving.

And eastern white pine? It’s doing its own thing entirely. With its soft, needle-like leaves, evergreen nature, and cone-based reproduction, it’s in a whole different branch of the plant kingdom.

Okay, that was a lot...

The main takeaway? There’s more to a tree than meets the eye.

Sometimes, trees that look totally different, like beech and oak, are actually close relatives. Other times, two lookalikes, like beech and maple, aren’t really related at all.

Understanding how trees are related helps us:

• Appreciate their role in the ecosystem

• Make better choices about what to plant

• Keep our urban forests diverse, healthy, and resilient

Taxonomy might sound intimidating, but it’s really just the science of how things are related, and once you start to see those connections, the forest (urban or otherwise) becomes a whole lot more fascinating.

Why taxonomy matters in urban forestry

Knowing how trees are related helps urban planners:

• Diversify plantings to avoid large-scale losses from pests (e.g. oak wilt, beech leaf disease, emerald ash borer).

• Understand tree behavior - like drought tolerance or timing of leaf-out - based on related species.

• Choose complementary species for aesthetics, biodiversity, or resilience in urban environments.

What about the names themselves?

Latin names are often rich with meaning.

Some are descriptive:

• rubrum = red (Acer rubrum – red maple)

• nigra = black (Betula nigra – black birch, also called river birch)

• glabra = smooth (Carya glabra – pignut hickory)

Others hint at habitat:

• palustris = of swamps (Quercus palustris – pin oak)

• montana = of mountains (Quercus montana – chestnut oak)

Some honor people:

• Quercus michauxii (swamp chestnut oak) is named after the French botanist François André Michaux.

Hybrids and cultivars are also common in urban areas:

• Platanus × acerifolia = London planetree, a hybrid between American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and oriental plane (Platanus orientalis). The “×” tells you it’s a hybrid.

• Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Skyline’ = a thornless honey locust with great fall color - popular on city streets. A variety is a naturally occurring variation within a species. The cultivar name follows the species name in single quotation marks and is not italicized 'Skyline.' Gleditsia (genus name) triacanthos (specific epithet) var. inermis (variety within the species) 'Skyline' (cultivar).

Some are misnomers, and tell you what the plant is not, like Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir). The genus name Pseudotsuga means "false hemlock," reflecting its resemblance to hemlock trees, despite being a different species altogether. The species name menziesii honors Scottish botanist Archibald Menzies, while the common name Douglas Fir recognizes David Douglas, who introduced the tree to Great Britain. However, this tree isn’t a true fir tree either. So, we now know everything it isn’t and not much about what it is. Interesting!

Knowing names builds connection

Learning Latin names might feel intimidating at first, but trust me: it’s worth it. You start to notice patterns, recognize relationships, and see trees as more than just big leafy things.

For example, once you learn that Tilia americana is the American basswood, you’ll start spotting its big leaves, fragrant summer flowers, and its value to bees. Then you might see Tilia cordata, the littleleaf linden, and recognize it as a close cousin.

Learning names is the first step toward truly knowing the trees around you. Even more, by learning names, you're engaging with trees not just as scenery, but as living beings with identity, heritage, and ecological roles.

Final thoughts: “speaking tree”

Next time you’re walking through your neighborhood or a city park, take a closer look at the trees around you. What kind are they? What do their leaves, bark, or overall shape tell you? Look them up, maybe with a tree ID app or a field guide. Maybe you’ll get lucky and see a helpful placard at the base of the tree.

And when you find their Latin names, say them out loud! Don’t worry about getting it perfect - I still get them wrong sometimes, and who would really know anyway? The names aren’t just labels; they’re an invitation to see your environment in a whole new way.

Scientific names help us speak tree - and that’s a language worth learning.

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ANDY GRINSTEAD

Andy Grinstead is a CanopyBloomington board member and community steward who is dedicated to fostering equitable access to natural resources and nature-based experiences. He currently works with the non-profit Pollinator Partnership managing habitat enhancement, ecological restoration, technical certification, and outreach programs throughout the country.

Additionally, Andy is a member of the Monroe County Environmental Commission, advocating for educational efforts and initiatives that support a healthier and more economically viable future for the county. Andy enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for collaborative engagement and volunteerism with the CanopyBloomington community.