Magnolia acuminata
The cucumber magnolia is native to eastern North America. This is a large tree reaching heights of 100’ at maturity. The cucumber tree does not produce cucumbers, but it does produce a fruit similar in appearance to a cucumber. The flowers produced can be a showy yellow-white flower but for the most part flowers usually are only open a couple inches wide making them hard to see. The leaves are oval shaped coming to a sharp point, earning the name acuminata or “sharp pointed”. This species is commonly used for lumber in the Appalachian Mountains, especially in West Virginia and adjoining States. The wood is usually sold as yellow poplar. The wood is used in furniture, fixtures, venetian blinds, siding, interior trim, sashes, doors, boxes, and crates.
